ave a cheer, and then Mark despatched a dozen boys to look for
Bob, Dick going to his tent to change his clothes. In time Bob and his
boys came back, and there was great rejoicing in camp, everybody being
anxious to hear Dick's adventures. Dick told them, the boys being more
incensed than ever at the spy and determined to capture him and put him
out of the way of doing any more mischief.

"That boy Tom was a plucky fellow and a grateful one as well," declared
Bob. "That is the sort we want in the Liberty Boys."

"Yes, but he is needed at home," Dick returned, "and would probably have
to do the cause good in other ways than joining us. He would be an
acquisition, of course, but I would not ask him."

All was quiet in camp at length, and no alarms of the approach of the
enemy were heard, although it was not long before they would be.

CHAPTER IX.--The Spy in the Toils.

The next morning Tom came into camp, the boys giving him a hearty cheer
as soon as they knew who he was, and asked to see Dick.

"He has not come back all night," he said, and Dick knew that he
referred to his father. "I do not think he will return. He is afraid to
come back. I shall be very glad to leave the city because I think I
shall get more work outside and mother and the children will do much
better."

"I think it will be better for you all," Dick returned. "If the enemy
gets hold of the city there will be much suffering, I am afraid. If you
leave you will avoid this. I can find you a place where there will be
work enough for all, and where you will not be troubled by your father
when he is in his cups."

"He is always in them of late years and has greatly changed toward
mother and all of us. The little children are afraid of him and will not
go near him, but I must protect my mother."

"That is right, Tom. Always do it. Perhaps if your father stopped his
bad habits he would be better again, but it is best for you to go away
from him entirely and live apart until you see what changes time may
bring about."

"Yes, I think so, and I shall go as far away as I can and start for
myself. You know some good place?"

"Yes, and I can put your mother and the little ones, with good people
where they will be taken care of until you are established, and they can
look out for themselves. We live in Westchester, about twenty miles
away, which will be far enough to keep your father from finding you and
not too far away to get plenty of work."

"I s