human
We hev took Henry Dare prisner. He is a rebel, an we are goin ter turn him over to Captain Wilson an his compny uv British sojers, who hev ben heer fur a week past, an are goin to jine the main army on Long Island to-night. Ye kaint do nothin to git him back, so ye needn try. An ye two boys, Dick an Tom, had better be keerful er we'll serve ye worsen whut we hev yer father. We don't aim ter hev any rebels in our neighborhood. So, Dick and Tom Dare, hev a care!
gpt
Oh, husband is a prisoner in the hands of the British! wailed Mrs. Dare.
human
Oh, this is terrible, boys! What shall we do? Oh, what shall we do!
gpt
Don't be frightened, mother, said Dick, soothingly.
human
I don't think father is in any danger. He is a prisoner, true, but the British don't kill prisoners, and sooner or later father will escape-or be rescued. That will be work for Tom and I, mother! his eyes lighting up.
gpt
We will make it our object in life to rescue father and get him back home here, with you, mother.
human
What could you do, you are only a couple of boys? You could not possibly rescue father. It is useless to think of such a thing. Oh, I greatly fear I shall never see my husband again in this world! Oh, those terrible, cowardly Tories!
gpt
Yes, you shall see father again, mother, declared Dick, decidedly.
human
Don't worry. He is safe from personal harm, and sooner or later we will succeed in getting him located and will rescue him. Tom and I will make that our object in life.
gpt
Yes, yes, mother, said Tom eagerly.
human
We'll join the patriot army, if need be, to further our ends, and while fighting for Liberty and Independence, and aiding our country in that manner, we will at the same time be on the lookout to find father and rescue him.
gpt
Yes, that is what we will do, said Dick.
human
Father would have joined the patriot army if he had not been captured and taken away by the Tories, and now that he is not able to do that, we will do it in his stead. I know it is what father would wish us to do, and as Tom says, it will give us a better chance to find and rescue father.
gpt
Oh, my sons, my sons! How can I spare you, too? murmured Mrs. Dare.
human
How can I let you leave me, now that I have lost your dear father!
gpt
It will be only temporary, mother. You can see, when you give the matter more thought, that it is the best thing to do.
human
Perhaps so, Dick, darling, acquiesced Mrs. Dare,
gpt
Oh, Dick, is it true that you and Tom are going to enter the army and fight for liberty?
human
Yes, it is true, Elsie. Aren't you glad?
gpt
Y-yes, Dick, replied Elsie Foster, hesitatingly.
human
I'm glad you are to be a soldier, but I-well, you might get killed you know, and-and-
gpt
Would you care, Elsie?