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HOW TO THINK ABOUT ALGORITHMS

There are many algorithm texts that provide lots of well-polished code and
proofs of correctness. Instead, this one presents insights, notations, and
analogies to help the novice describe and think about algorithms like an
expert. It is a bit like a carpenter studying hammers instead of houses. Jeff
Edmonds provides both the big picture and easy step-by-step methods for
developing algorithms, while avoiding the comon pitfalls. Paradigms such
as loop invariants and recursion help to unify a huge range of algorithms
into a few meta-algorithms. Part of the goal is to teach students to think
abstractly. Without getting bogged down in formal proofs, the book fosters
deeper understanding so that how and why each algorithm works is trans-
parent. These insights are presented in a slow and clear manner accessible
to second- or third-year students of computer science, preparing them to
find on their own innovative ways to solve problems.
Abstraction is when you translate the equations, the rules, and the under-
lying essences of the problem not only into a language that can be commu-
nicated to your friend standing with you on a streetcar, but also into a form
that can percolate down and dwell in your subconscious. Because, remem-
ber, it is your subconscious that makes the miraculous leaps of inspiration,
not your plodding perspiration and not your cocky logic. And remember,
unlike you, your subconscious does not understand Java code.

i
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ii
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HOW TO THINK ABOUT

ALGORITHMS

JEFF EDMONDS
York University

iii
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo

Cambridge University Press

The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK
Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521849319

© Jeff Edmonds 2008

This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of

relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place
without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published in print format 2008

ISBN-13 978-0-511-41370-4 eBook (EBL)

ISBN-13 978-0-521-84931-9 hardback

ISBN-13 978-0-521-61410-8 paperback

Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls
for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not
guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
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Dedicated to my father, Jack, and to my sons, Joshua and Micah.

May the love and the mathematics continue to flow between

the generations.

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Problem Solving
Out of the Box Leaping
Deep Thinking
Creative Abstracting
Logical Deducing
with Friends Working
Fun Having
Fumbling and Bumbling
Bravely Persevering
Joyfully Succeeding

vi
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CONTENTS vii

Preface page xi

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

PART ONE. ITERATIVE ALGORITHMS AND LOOP INVARIANTS

1 Iterative Algorithms: Measures of Progress and Loop Invariants . . . . . 5
1.1 A Paradigm Shift: A Sequence of Actions vs. a Sequence of
Assertions 5
1.2 The Steps to Develop an Iterative Algorithm 8
1.3 More about the Steps 12
1.4 Different Types of Iterative Algorithms 21
1.5 Typical Errors 26
1.6 Exercises 27
2 Examples Using More-of-the-Input Loop Invariants . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.1 Coloring the Plane 29
2.2 Deterministic Finite Automaton 31
2.3 More of the Input vs. More of the Output 39
3 Abstract Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
3.1 Specifications and Hints at Implementations 44
3.2 Link List Implementation 51
3.3 Merging with a Queue 56
3.4 Parsing with a Stack 57
4 Narrowing the Search Space: Binary Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
4.1 Binary Search Trees 60
4.2 Magic Sevens 62
4.3 VLSI Chip Testing 65
4.4 Exercises 69
5 Iterative Sorting Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
5.1 Bucket Sort by Hand 71
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Contents

5.2 Counting Sort (a Stable Sort) 72

5.3 Radix Sort 75
5.4 Radix Counting Sort 76
6 Euclid’s GCD Algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
7 The Loop Invariant for Lower Bounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
viii

PART TWO. RECURSION

8 Abstractions, Techniques, and Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
8.1 Thinking about Recursion 97
8.2 Looking Forward vs. Backward 99
8.3 With a Little Help from Your Friends 100
8.4 The Towers of Hanoi 102
8.5 Checklist for Recursive Algorithms 104
8.6 The Stack Frame 110
8.7 Proving Correctness with Strong Induction 112
9 Some Simple Examples of Recursive Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
9.1 Sorting and Selecting Algorithms 114
9.2 Operations on Integers 122
9.3 Ackermann’s Function 127
9.4 Exercises 128
10 Recursion on Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
10.1 Tree Traversals 133
10.2 Simple Examples 135
10.3 Generalizing the Problem Solved 138
10.4 Heap Sort and Priority Queues 141
10.5 Representing Expressions with Trees 149
11 Recursive Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
11.1 Drawing a Recursive Image from a Fixed Recursive and a Base
Case Image 153
11.2 Randomly Generating a Maze 156
12 Parsing with Context-Free Grammars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

PART THREE. OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS

13 Definition of Optimization Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
14 Graph Search Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
14.1 A Generic Search Algorithm 174
14.2 Breadth-First Search for Shortest Paths 179
14.3 Dijkstra’s Shortest-Weighted-Path Algorithm 183
14.4 Depth-First Search 188
14.5 Recursive Depth-First Search 192
14.6 Linear Ordering of a Partial Order 194
14.7 Exercise 196
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Contents

15 Network Flows and Linear Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

15.1 A Hill-Climbing Algorithm with a Small Local Maximum 200
15.2 The Primal–Dual Hill-Climbing Method 206
15.3 The Steepest-Ascent Hill-Climbing Algorithm 214
ix
15.4 Linear Programming 219
15.5 Exercises 223
16 Greedy Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
16.1 Abstractions, Techniques, and Theory 225
16.2 Examples of Greedy Algorithms 236
16.2.1 Example: The Job/Event Scheduling Problem 236
16.2.2 Example: The Interval Cover Problem 240
16.2.3 Example: The Minimum-Spanning-Tree Problem 244
16.3 Exercises 250
17 Recursive Backtracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
17.1 Recursive Backtracking Algorithms 251
17.2 The Steps in Developing a Recursive Backtracking 256
17.3 Pruning Branches 260
17.4 Satisfiability 261
17.5 Exercises 265
18 Dynamic Programming Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
18.1 Start by Developing a Recursive Backtracking 267
18.2 The Steps in Developing a Dynamic Programming Algorithm 271
18.3 Subtle Points 277
18.3.1 The Question for the Little Bird 278
18.3.2 Subinstances and Subsolutions 281
18.3.3 The Set of Subinstances 284
18.3.4 Decreasing Time and Space 288
18.3.5 Counting the Number of Solutions 291
18.3.6 The New Code 292
19 Examples of Dynamic Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
19.1 The Longest-Common-Subsequence Problem 295
19.2 Dynamic Programs as More-of-the-Input Iterative Loop
Invariant Algorithms 300
19.3 A Greedy Dynamic Program: The Weighted Job/Event
Scheduling Problem 303
19.4 The Solution Viewed as a Tree: Chains of Matrix Multiplications 306
19.5 Generalizing the Problem Solved: Best AVL Tree 311
19.6 All Pairs Using Matrix Multiplication 314
19.7 Parsing with Context-Free Grammars 315
19.8 Designing Dynamic Programming Algorithms via Reductions 318
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20 Reductions and NP-Completeness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324

20.1 Satisfiability Is at Least as Hard as Any Optimization Problem 326
20.2 Steps to Prove NP-Completeness 330
20.3 Example: 3-Coloring Is NP-Complete 338
20.4 An Algorithm for Bipartite Matching Using the Network
x Flow Algorithm 342
21 Randomized Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
21.1 Using Randomness to Hide the Worst Cases 347
21.2 Solutions of Optimization Problems with a Random Structure 350

PART FOUR. APPENDIX

22 Existential and Universal Quantifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
23 Time Complexity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
23.1 The Time (and Space) Complexity of an Algorithm 366
23.2 The Time Complexity of a Computational Problem 371
24 Logarithms and Exponentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
25 Asymptotic Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
25.1 Steps to Classify a Function 379
25.2 More about Asymptotic Notation 384
26 Adding-Made-Easy Approximations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
26.1 The Technique 389
26.2 Some Proofs for the Adding-Made-Easy Technique 393
27 Recurrence Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
27.1 The Technique 398
27.2 Some Proofs 401
28 A Formal Proof of Correctness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408

PART FIVE. EXERCISE SOLUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437

Index 439
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PREFACE xi

To the Educator and the Student

This book is designed to be used in a twelve-week, third-year algorithms course. The
goal is to teach students to think abstractly about algorithms and about the key algo-
rithmic techniques used to develop them.

Meta-Algorithms: Students must learn so many algorithms that they are sometimes
overwhelmed. In order to facilitate their understanding, most textbooks cover the
standard themes of iterative algorithms, recursion, greedy algorithms, and dynamic
programming. Generally, however, when it comes to presenting the algorithms them-
selves and their proofs of correctness, the concepts are hidden within optimized
code and slick proofs. One goal of this book is to present a uniform and clean way
of thinking about algorithms. We do this by focusing on the structure and proof of
correctness of iterative and recursive meta-algorithms, and within these the greedy
and dynamic programming meta-algorithms. By learning these and their proofs of
correctness, most actual algorithms can be easily understood. The challenge is that
thinking about meta-algorithms requires a great deal of abstract thinking.

Abstract Thinking: Students are very good at learning

how to apply a concrete code to a concrete input in-
stance. They tend, however, to find it difficult to think
abstractly about the algorithms. I maintain that the
more abstractions a person has from which to view
the problem, the deeper his understanding of it will be,
the more tools he will have at his disposal, and the bet-
ter prepared he will be to design his own innovative
ways to solve new problems. Hence, I present a number
of different notations, analogies, and paradigms within
which to develop and to think about algorithms.
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Preface

Way of Thinking: People who develop algorithms have various ways of thinking and
intuition that tend not to get taught. The assumption, I suppose, is that these cannot
be taught but must be figured out on one’s own. This text attempts to teach students
to think like a designer of algorithms.

xii Not a Reference Book: My intention is not to teach a specific selection of algorithms
for specific purposes. Hence, the book is not organized according to the application
of the algorithms, but according to the techniques and abstractions used to develop
them.

Developing Algorithms: The goal is not to present completed algorithms in a nice

clean package, but to go slowly through every step of the development. Many false
starts have been added. The hope is that this will help students learn to develop al-
gorithms on their own. The difference is a bit like the difference between studying
carpentry by looking at houses and by looking at hammers.

Proof of Correctness: Our philosophy is not to follow an algorithm with a formal

proof that it is correct. Instead, this text is about learning how to think about, de-
velop, and describe algorithms in such way that their correctness is transparent.

Big Picture vs. Small Steps: For each topic, I attempt both to give the big picture and
to break it down into easily understood steps.

Level of Presentation: This material is difficult. There is no getting around that. I

have tried to figure out where confusion may arise and to cover these points in more
detail. I try to balance the succinct clarity that comes with mathematical formalism
against the personified analogies and metaphors that help to provide both intuition
and humor.

Point Form: The text is organized into blocks, each containing a title and a single
thought. Hopefully, this will make the text easier to lecture and study from.

Prerequisites: The text assumes that the students have completed a first-year
programming course and have a general mathematical maturity. The Appendix
(Part Four) covers much of the mathematics that will be needed.

Homework Questions: A few homework questions are included. I am hoping to de-

velop many more, along with their solutions. Contributions are welcome.

Read Ahead: The student is expected to read the material before the lecture. This will
facilitate productive discussion during class.

Explaining: To be able to prove yourself on a test or on the job, you need to be able
to explain the material well. In addition, explaining it to someone else is the best way
to learn it yourself. Hence, I highly recommend spending a lot of time explaining
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Preface

the material over and over again out loud to yourself, to each other, and to your
stuffed bear.

Dreaming: I would like to emphasis the importance of

thinking, even daydreaming, about the material. This
can be done while going through your day – while swim- xiii
ming, showering, cooking, or lying in bed. Ask ques-
tions. Why is it done this way and not that way? In-
vent other algorithms for solving a problem. Then look
for input instances for which your algorithm gives the
wrong answer. Mathematics is not all linear thinking.
If the essence of the material, what the questions are really asking, is allowed to seep
down into your subconscious then with time little thoughts will begin to percolate
up. Pursue these ideas. Sometimes even flashes of inspiration appear.

Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Andy Mirzaian, Franck van Breugel, James Elder, Suprakash
Datta, Eric Ruppert, Russell Impagliazzo, Toniann Pitassi, and Kirk Pruhs, with whom
I co-taught and co-researched algorithms for many years. I would like to thank Jen-
nifer Wolfe and Lauren Cowles for their fantastic editing jobs. All of these people were
a tremendous support for this work.
Other documents randomly have
different content
The Project Gutenberg eBook of
The Dare Boys in Vincennes
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States
and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the
United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where
you are located before using this eBook.

Title: The Dare Boys in Vincennes

Author: Stephen Angus Douglas Cox

Illustrator: Rudolf Mencl

Release date: December 11, 2020 [eBook #64017]

Language: English

Credits: Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

at
https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images
generously made available by The Internet Archive)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DARE BOYS

IN VINCENNES ***
 Transcriber's Note:

Obvious typographic errors have been

corrected.
"YOU LITTLE REBEL SPY!" HE HISSED.
 The Dare Boys
IN
Vincennes

By

STEPHEN ANGUS COX

Illustrated By
RUDOLF MENCL

NEW YORK
A. L. CHATTERTON CO.

Copyright, 1912
——
A. L. CHATTERTON CO.
 CONTENTS
CHAPTER. PAGE.
I. Assigned to Duty 9
II. An Incident 18
III. A Surprise 28
IV. An Encounter 39
V. Aboard the Sloop 55
VI. On the March 68
VII. On the Beach 80
VIII. The Ambush 92
IX. In Camp 103
X. Telca 116
XI. Following the Trail 130
XII. The Night Attack 143
XIII. The Cliff Drop 156
XIV. Evading the Enemy 168
XV. United 180
XVI. Conclusion 189

THE DARE BOYS IN

VINCENNES
 CHAPTER I.
ASSIGNED TO DUTY.

In the cool, darkened room of the improvised Patriot Hospital in

Charleston, a young man in the uniform of a Continental, read aloud
to his much-bandaged friend. The subject of their attention was a
long-delayed letter from the invalid's sister, in which she dwelt lightly
on the hardships at home, and came forth strongly in praise of her
brother's hardy deeds.
"If it wasn't for Dick," said the wounded boy, faintly, but with a
smile, "you would imagine I was the Patriot army all by myself."
"It's because you were such a good part of it that you're on your
back now," returned Tom Dare with enthusiasm.
In an important engagement near Charleston, Ben Foster had been
severely wounded, and for two weeks the Dare Boys, Dick and Tom,
feared for their friend's life. That morning, however, the surgeons
had relieved their anxiety by promising Ben's recovery, provided he
received careful nursing. This good news greatly cheered the two
brothers' hearts, for after having passed through so many thrilling
occasions in safety, they dreaded the thought of returning to their
homes near Philadelphia without their boon companion.
Although the city at this date was in control of the Patriot Army, the
British were everywhere about and actively watchful. To go to or
communicate with any point beyond the lines was a task fraught
with difficulty, and letters were rare events indeed.
Dick Dare, whose latest triumphs under the "Swamp Fox" the reader
well remembers, returned at this moment from the commander's
quarters and noticed the letter in his comrade's hand.
"News from home?" he inquired, eagerly. "Oh! from your sister,
Ben?"
"No," rejoined Tom, bent on arousing his curiosity, for Dick's regard
for Ben's sister was well known. "No," he jokingly said, "it's a letter
from Fritz Schmockenburg, inviting us to attend an affair at his
country estate."
"I'll attend to Fritz's affair later on," Dick began. Then his face grew
serious and he added, "When Ben Has gone to sleep, Tom, and you
are not wanted here, I want you to run over to the barracks for a
few minutes."
"Anything wrong?" inquired Ben.
"Only that I'm off for a little trip, Ben, and I want to give a few final
instructions to this good-for-nothing nurse of yours," Dick returned,
quietly pushing his brother from the stool on which he was sitting.
"Is that all the general wanted you for?" asked the aggrieved Tom,
from his location on the floor. "I was in hopes that he would send
you away for a month or two."
"Well, it's very likely to amount to that before I get through." Dick
bent close to the bed. "I'm bound for Vincennes, boys, but we are to
keep that secret to ourselves."
"Vincennes!" they chorused.
"Why that's way over near the Mississippi river, isn't it?" asked Ben.
"Thereabouts," replied Dick. "I'm sorry I have to go before you are
up and around, Ben, but the general has honored me with this
commission and I must start at once."
"How about me, cannot I go too?" queried Tom.
"You are to stay here and be good to Ben for a few days and then
you are to follow me," answered Dick, dropping his voice to a
whisper. "This message that I'm going to carry has got to get
through and to insure its delivery a similar message is to be sent and
you are to carry it. If one fails the other should succeed. You can
follow me as soon as possible, and we may be able to make the last
stages of the trip together."
"Sorry I'm out of this," said Ben, "but you can't stop bullets and
carry messages at the same time very successfully."
Dick bade him a quiet, but none the less sincere farewell, and
hurried over to his quarters to get ready for his trip.
His preparations consisted mainly in a careful examination of the
arms he was to carry and his coffee-pot.
He then called to Fritz—the blundering but well-meaning Fritz—with
whom the boys had had so many larks, and by a few words startled
that individual into incoherent phrases and hurried action. Tom
joined him soon afterward and offered his assistance in making
ready.
"Hate to hurry you away like this, old man," said Tom, mockingly.
"I am not going to hurry after I start, anyhow," Dick replied. "I'm
going to take along an anchor in the form of that ever-slow German,
Fritz."
"Fritz," shouted Tom. "Why under the sun is he going with you?"
"To conceal my haste," Dick answered. "If I start out with that
symbol of Mercury riding along side of me, no one will suspect that
I'm going through an enemy's country, and through unbeaten forests
into the heart of the west on an important trip. They will surely think
I've gone to that 'affair' on Fritz's estate you were speaking of a
short time ago."
"Maybe you're right, Dick," Tom said musingly, "but I suspect that
with Fritz along, you will have to travel pretty slowly."
"Nonsense," asserted his brother. "Fritz will go as fast as his horse
carries him and won't handicap me in any way."
The boys were soon joined by Fritz with his equipment in his hands.
He was bursting with curiosity as to what was in store for him. Dick
had merely told him to get ready for a long journey and with the
German, Dick's words were law, for he had frequently been saved
from dangerous positions by Dick Dare's aid, and held him in the
highest esteem.
The three young adventurers gathered about a table at one end of
the Dare boys' room and settled themselves to the careful study of a
much worn map of the country through which they would have to
travel.
"Fritz and I," began Dick, "start tomorrow at daybreak, so as to
avoid any more notice than possible, and we are to ride hard after
we are outside the British lines, till it gets hot. Then we'll just jog
along, either stopping at a farm for our meals or cooking them
ourselves, making whatever distance the country permits, and
spending the nights, when possible, with Patriot farmers or in the
open. One week from today you, Tom, will start for the same point.
You are to take Tim Murphy with you. Tim is quick-witted and you
ought to be able to follow us rapidly enough to arrive at Fort Pitt
about the time we do, for Fritz and I have to blaze the way."
"That sounds like a pleasure excursion, with the British, Tories, and
Indians thrown in to add to the interest and keep us from falling
asleep."
"Yes, that's the way it sounds," responded Dick, "but remember,
young man, that we have to deliver that message exactly one month
from today!"
"Never," cried Tom. "Why, Dick, that's impossible. A thousand miles
with all those difficulties in front of you! I don't think that even you
can do it, Dick."
"It has to be done," said Dick, quietly, "and you've got to try it too,
Tom."
"Well, if you can, I can, Dick," answered Tom, spiritedly.
"So it will be a race," cried Dick.
"And may we both win," rejoined his brother, holding out his hand.
"Ver do I come in?" inquired Fritz, for the first time sufficiently
collected to speak. "Now dot I am made ready, for once, vy iss it I
am going to,—from,—for,—
"You're not," said Tom, severely.
"No," added Dick.
"No!" chimed Fritz.
Then Dick, to help his confused comrade out of his difficulties,
explained their proposed journey as clearly as possible to the delight
of the soldier, who welcomed an opportunity to distinguish himself in
so important a mission, and who was, moreover, greatly pleased at
the prospect of a trip with Dick Dare.
While the three young fellows were engrossed in the discussion of
their plans, there came to their ears the sound of horses in motion.
They were passing under their window and drew the boys' attention
outside.
"Our mounts," shouted Dick.
"Our mounds ver?" asked Fritz in a puzzled tone.
"You wait here Fritz and I'll bring them up," said Dick, laughing as he
and Tom hurried from the room.
They met the cavalry troopers leading two horses. At the entrance to
the barn they made a careful examination of the animals by
lamplight.
"A fine pair of horses," said Dick.
"Seem pretty wiry," ventured Tom, and then looking about he added:
"Wonder what happened to Fritz?"
"We'll see about that," replied Dick, giving his new possession a final
and parting pat. They retraced their steps and reaching the front of
the house collided with Fritz. He had just ventured forth in an effort
to find out what the others were doing.
"Your horse doesn't care to go up to see you tonight, Fritz," said
Dick in an apologetic tone.
"Horse?" echoed Fritz.
"Certainly," replied Tom, having difficulty in restraining his mirth.
"I do't you said it 'mound' vas," protested Fritz.
"That's a 'grave' mistake on your part," answered Tom, as pursued
by the laughing Dick and the perplexed Fritz, he fled into the
barracks.
"Time to turn in, I guess, as long as Fritz and I have to be up so
early in the morning," Dick yawned.
So the three youths upon whom during the next few weeks so much
was to depend, rolled themselves up in their blankets and with a
muffled "Good night," closed their eyes for the last time together for
many a night.
 CHAPTER II.
AN INCIDENT.

"Getting warm, isn't it" commented Dare about eleven o'clock the
morning of their first day on the road.
"Dot's right, py jimminy," panted Fritz, mopping the perspiration
from his red face. "But we fooled those Red-goats that time, eh
Dick?"
"I'm not so sure," Dick replied gravely. "I'm very much afraid they
knew that everything wasn't as it should be, and that they will
suspect our mission. And if they do, we are going to have trouble
before we arrive at Vincennes."
Dick was referring to the incident of their passing the British lines
early that morning. One of the guards was inclined to be suspicious.
Dick's seeming frank explanation but more particularly Fritz's
innocent and guileless manner, however, had temporarily, at least,
won the day.
"Dot's an unbolite feller up the road, Dick," muttered the German
boy, pointing ahead. "See him vaving his arms and hands at a young
frauline like he vas her jailor."
Dick shaded his eyes with his hand and surveyed the couple to
whom Fritz had called his attention. The man was unquestionably
threatening his companion with violence, and the girl, although she
made no effort to escape, glanced back frequently as if looking
about her for assistance.
"Come on, let's investigate," cried Dick, putting spurs to his horse.
Fritz followed closely, and the pair soon overtook the two
pedestrians whom they had observed. As they rode up, the man,
who was evidently a young southerner, seized his companion by the
wrist, at which she cried out.
"That strikes me as very poor courtesy," shouted Dick, reining up,
"and is most surprising to see in a man of this state!"
"State," snapped the other, still retaining his hold on the girl, who
looked as if she might be his sister, as the boys soon discovered she
was. "To all but rebels this is a loyal colony of His Majesty, King
George."
"Rebels is a hard word," replied Dick, "and, moreover, my friend and
I shall be indebted to you if you will immediately release the lady,
who doesn't appear to be greatly flattered with your attentions."
"Yah," chorused Fritz. "So are we."
"You don't seem to lack admirers," drawled the southerner, turning
to his sister. Then, his rage overcoming him, "You little rebel spy!" he
hissed.
The girl paled, and at this added insult Dick leaped to the ground
and advanced on the troublesome one. Grasping him by the collar
and giving him a vigorous push in the proper direction, Dick sent the
young Loyalist sprawling in a ditch.
"Ha, ha!" shouted Fritz, "my turn next."
"It will be both of your turns next," yelled their new acquaintance,
who had promptly recovered his feet, and was retiring down the
road in discomfort, evidently feeling sure that retreat was the safest
in the face of such odds.
"Oh," cried the girl, "now I've drawn you into trouble, haven't I?"
"Not that I can notice," replied Dick, with quiet indifference. "I trust
that we have been of service to you and haven't interfered where we
shouldn't have."
"I can't thank you enough for getting rid of him just at this
moment," she replied. "As he said, I'm a Patriot, and he was trying
to force some important information from me regarding the forces in
Charleston."
"My name is Dare, miss, and this is Fritz Schmockenburg, both of
Capt. Morgan's company."
The girl nodded brightly at Fritz, who was overwhelmed by the
suddenness with which he was thrown into a lady's company. "My
brother is very influential in the King's army," she said, "and now I'd
advise you to hurry along if you expect to avoid any further trouble
with him."
At that moment Dick thought he distinguished the dull sound of
hoof-beats coming from the direction in which the young Tory had
retreated.
"Guess you're right," replied Dick, "but if we go on, what will happen
to you?"
"My house is around the bend in the road," the girl answered
quickly, "I'll cut through these woods and be safe in two minutes.
But you must hurry, for he won't come back alone."
"Good-bye and good luck," cried Dick as he watched her spring
lightly over the stone wall at the side of the road. "All aboard, Fritz, I
reckon they're after us," and suiting action to the word, Dick vaulted
into his saddle and started away at a gallop.
The pursuing Redcoats could be seen plainly now, urging their
horses on in the hopes of overtaking the young patriots before they
had gathered speed. The two groups fairly flew along the dusty
highway, and Dick, bending low over his saddle, saw the pursuers
drawing their pistols.
"Bend down, Fritz," he shouted, "but don't try to return their fire."
Even as he spoke there was the sound of discharged firearms.
"Ach, I'm a dead one alreaty," hollered Fritz, and before Dick could
reply or offer aid, the German boy clutched madly at his horse's
mane and then rolled in a heap in the dust of the road. His fall was
greeted with yells from the soldiers, who quickly approaching soon
surrounded his prostrate form and abandoned any further pursuit of
Dick.
"Just what Tom said," muttered Dick, as after a hard gallop he
slowed down his panting horse and wiped the dust from his eyes.
"Here, on the first day out, Fritz is captured and probably wounded
seriously, and I can't go on my mission till I find out how he is and
what I can do for him."
Dick rode slowly onward for half a mile more, and then turned off in
the bed of a stream which crossed the road at this point. The brook
rapidly narrowed to a rushing little fall, and here, completely away
from sight or sound of travellers along the road, he jumped from his
tired horse, permitted him a refreshing drink at the brook, and, after
hobbling him securely, turned his attention toward preparing a meal
for one.
Dick moistened a handful of flour with water, kneaded it with his
fingers into a clinging dough, and set it aside while he built his fire.
He was particular to pick out dry pieces of moss and hard twigs, for
smoke was a thing to be avoided, and the hard woods burn freest.
Having gradually increased the size of his fuel and consequently the
blaze, until he judged it hot enough, Dick drew his hunting knife, cut
two pieces of bacon from his precious store, and laid them in the
pan on the coals. The dough he now rolled into flat round cakes and
placed in the pan with the bacon to fry. Carefully turning the cakes
and bacon from time to time with the flat of his knife, he prepared a
meal fit for a king, but destined to be eaten by an enemy of all
kings.
Dick fretted and fumed all that afternoon, and toward dusk ventured
out from his retreat and rode slowly back in the direction of the
British camps, whose exact whereabouts he had to determine. At the
top of a slight rise he saw in the distance the glow of the soldiers'
camp-fire, and making his horse fast to a tree, some distance from
the road, he proceeded carefully on foot toward the sentinel lines
and the British encampment.
Half way up to the camp he dropped flat on the ground and waited
for the nearest outpost to come to the end of his stretch, exchange
a word with his neighbor, and turn back. Then Dick crawled between
the two while their backs were turned, and was safely inside the
lines. But where was Fritz? And how badly was he wounded? Could
he have been killed?
Dick, after considerable reconnoitering, located a stout log house in
front of which a sentry strolling was talking to his nearby
companions around a fire. Dick was near enough to hear plainly all
that was said.
"The old Dutchman snores," laughed the sentinel.
"Hurray," thought Dick, "that means Fritz and then he can't be very
seriously wounded."
Dick crept up behind the hut, which was built of stout logs, and
discovered with joy that there was a small barred window. Through
this he lightly threw a small stone to attract the prisoner's attention.
"Get oud," yelled Fritz, who was surprised from his sleep by the
missle.
"Wait till I come in," said his guard, from the other side of the
house. "Quit your Dutch dreams and prepare to go on to the next
world, cause you're due to take that trip tomorrow, sure."
"Not if I know it," thought Dick.
Then when things had quieted down again, he called to Fritz softly
through the window. The German boy got up from the couch on
which he was lying and looked out cautiously. He almost shouted
when he distinguished his friend in the semi-darkness.
"Are you badly hurt, Fritz?" asked Dick anxiously.
"Nein," was the answer, "dot fool saddle slipped the horse off and
me and mine horse went mit it the dust into."
"Good," ejaculated Dick, "I'm glad it's no worse. Now how about
getting out?"
"Dere iss a chimney big enough," said Fritz, "and the door is only
barred on the other side, but there is a soldier there."
"The chimney, then," said Dick, "for we can't get past the guard at
the door. Why haven't you escaped before this?"
"Vell, I fell asleep ven they put me in here, and you voke me up just
now," confessed Fritz, sheepishly.
"Up the chimney now, quick," ordered Dick, "and be quiet, too."
Fritz disappeared, and after quite an interval Dick saw his stout
comrade laboriously climbing over the top of the structure. But Dick
wasn't alone in this strange sight. One of the soldiers saw him too,
and, yelling out the alarm, sprang for his gun just as Fritz jumped to
the ground. Dick leading, both started running through the woods.
The two fugitives made a detour through the underbrush, tearing
their clothes and making noise enough to guide the pursuing Red-
coats. Dick and Fritz turned sharply to the left, stepping quietly for a
few paces, and found themselves in the opening, before the very
prison Fritz had so recently deserted, while the chase streamed by in
the darkened woods, and the cries of the soldiers roused the
neighboring fire-groups to action.
"Into the hut," whispered Dick. "It's our only chance. The woods are
alive with troops and we'd be caught in no time."
"But I just got oud," objected Fritz. "And I don't——"
"In you go," said Dick, giving him a push, and following the hurried
and astonished boy, he closed the door after them and stepped to
the window.
"They have got us safe enough, if they only knew it," thought Dick.
He turned to Fritz. "They'll come back here soon to see how you
climbed out. We've got to hide somewhere. Quick, they're coming
now! Under that straw in the corner, Fritz. I'll take care of myself.
Way under, now!"
 CHAPTER III.
A SURPRISE.

Two days before the week succeeding the departure of Dick and his
comrade had elapsed, Tom and Tim made their preparations to start
after them. Ben had progressed nicely and was able to sit up and
take an interest in life once more. After a long consultation with the
commander the boys had arranged to make the first part of the trip
by water. This in order to avoid the suspicion that they were
following Dick and thus prevent the real importance of their mission
from being discovered.
Toward evening of the day of their departure, Tim Murphy,
overflowing with true Irish wit and humor, and full of expectations of
an exciting trip with Tom Dare, climbed gaily aboard the long, low-
built schooner that was to convey them up the coast to the
Chesapeake.
"Sure, and it's welcome ye are to my private yacht, Tom," he called
over the side to his companion. "Come aboard and join me party of
friends who are thinkin' of cruisin' about for a few weeks at me
expense."
"There will be a murder at your expense when the captain sees
those muddy marks on his white deck," replied Tom. "She is a
beauty though, isn't she?" he continued, gazing critically over the
craft's lines and rigging.
"That she is," agreed Tim.
"Avast, you land-lubber," bellowed a voice from the fore-deck.
"Told you so," whispered Tom.
"What did I do?" queried Tim, staring about to discover the cause of
the trouble.
"Oh, probably the gentleman who just spoke recognized you,"
laughed Tom.
"Ow!" yelled Tim, for at that moment a can of varnish which one of
the sailors had been lowering from the masthead, reached Tim, and
tilting slightly, covered his face with the sticky fluid.
"I'll be after haulin' ye to the gineral," shouted the outraged Tim.
"Insultin' a special soldier on special duty is a serious offince."
"You look like a very special soldier," Tom managed to say between
his bursts of laughter.
The appearance on the deck of the captain saved Tim from further
disgrace, and after extending a hearty welcome to Tom and his
offended companion, he led the two boys below and showed them
their bunks. Tim hurriedly got rid of the varnish and joined Tom in
the captain's cabin.
"We're all sailors together when we are on board, boys," began their
new host. "The general has told me that you know something of
sailing, and a little of navigating," turning to Tom, "so I'll ask you to
assist the mate in standing watch. Perhaps as long as you are more
or less of an amateur it will help you to have Tim with you on your
watch. We sail at nine tonight, dropping down with the tide, and
your turn won't come until tomorrow morning, so turn in, boys, and
get in a good night's rest before the work begins."
The two new members of the crew found themselves ready for their
bunks when the time came, and slept peacefully until early morning,
when Tom was awakened by an unearthly shouting. Sitting up
quietly in his bunk he rapped his head sharply against the bottom of
the upper bunk, and before he had recovered his wits he was
pounced upon by three sailors.
More quickly than it can be described he was bound and trussed like
a fowl, and carried forward along the decks. Here he was promptly
lowered into the dark hold, and found lying beside him the
unfortunate Tim, gagged to prevent his shouts from disturbing the
mutineers, together with the mate and captain in the same plight
with himself.
Meanwhile the hatch had been battened down and nothing broke
the stillness of the hold save the swish of the waves outside and the
uneven breathing of his companions.
After considerable wriggling, Tom was able to reach Tim's gag with
his hands and finally worked it loose.
"Now keep quiet," cautioned Tom, "or you'll have that pack of
traitors back at us. Tell me what happened to you and what the
meaning of this pretty affair is."
"You know as well as I do," returned the injured Tim. "I woke up
with half the bloody wretches jumping on me and tying ropes all
over me, so I just hollered and here I am."
"The captain and mate are hurt," Tom said. "If you will turn over on
your side so I can reach your wrists, perhaps the knots will loosen
up, and we can get the use of our limbs again. Then we'll look for
some water to bring the captain around with."
The knots were more trouble than Tom had expected, and by the
time Tim was free, the captain and mate showed signs of returning
consciousness. Tim speedily released his friend, and together they
loosed the two prisoners' bonds and chafed their wrists to restore
circulation.
A hasty tour of the hold revealed to Tom a half dozen water casks
and a canvas bucket in which he drew some of the cool liquid, and
returned to the side of the captain and his fellow sufferer. The water
sprinkled on them soon stirred the two men into renewed life, and
after gazing about for a few moments they both broke forth into
imprecations against their faithless crew.
"Unlucky day that I ever shipped that pack of robbers," muttered the
captain. "A lot of Portuguese and Tories, probably well paid by the
enemies of Liberty, turning against their captain on the high seas.
They'll hang to the yard arm for this or I never saw a ship before."
"Guess we'll have quite a long day's work hanging all of them, won't
we?" asked Tom. "Seems to me that we are more apt to be those
hanging decorations ourselves unless we can get out of their way
before long."
"They'll be too busy tending to business for a while," answered the
mate. "From the sound of the water alongside, I judge there has
blown up a pretty stiff breeze, and as far as I know, none of those
villains knows any too much about handling a ship."
"Hope they know enough to keep her right side up," said Tom,
"otherwise we'll be likely to gather no moss till we reach bottom."
"If they don't come down before night," the captain continued, "we
ought to be able to get into the little galley under my cabin, and get
the arms that we have on board. I don't think they are very well
equipped with either guns or powder, though there's plenty of both
on board. If they only give us time we'll have the best of it yet, and
then—" The captain drifted on half to himself going over all the dire
punishments the unruly crew might expect should he once get them
into his power.
The day wore on without any visits from the men ashore, and it was
well toward dusk before the four prisoners heard the hatch above
them being removed.
"If they find us with the ropes all off, they'll probably tie us up
tighter than ever," said Tom in a hurried whisper.
"Back to the stern part of this old hole," grunted the captain. "We
can hide there for a few minutes, and I may be able to get the trap
open into the musket room. We ought to be able to stand them off
with clubbed guns until night, and then we'll make a try for the
powder and shot."
The hatch had in the meantime been removed, and in the square
above Tom could see the fast darkening sky, with two heads peering
down into the darkness below.
"Can't see the old rats, can you?" said one.
"Have to get a lantern and investigate," answered the other. "Hey,
Jack pass us a light, and come along below. Going to pay a visit to
the captain and his good friends."
"Let's give them a warm reception," whispered Tom. "We four can
easily surprise the three of them, and before they can get any help
from above, we can get away, and climb into your store-house,
captain."
"Go ahead," replied the captain, only too glad of the chance to settle
scores with some of his rebel crew.
As the three sailors slowly descended the ladder, the first one
carrying the lantern, our four friends stole softly nearer to the
limited circle of light cast by the lantern's flickering rays.
The foremost sailor had just reached the bottom, when with a shout,
Tim sprang for the man highest up, and, catching him by the ankles,
threw him heavily from the ladder. The other two, taken by surprise
at this unexpected assault from the men they had supposed to be
bound, made very little trouble for the three Patriots, and were soon
rolled up in the same ropes that their victims had recently escaped
from.
The mutineers overhead hearing the scuffle in the hold, crowded
about the hatchway, shouting questions to their comrades.
"Come down and see what's the matter," yelled the captain. "There's
room for all of you in the same place your friends are stowed."
"We'll keep up the talk," interposed Tom quietly, "while you get the
trap open into the gun room."
The captain hurried off into the darkness, while Tim, the mate and
Tom kept up a running fire of comment with the sailors overhead.
"Come along and jine the bunch of us," yelled Tim, in his best Celtic.
"We're after holding a small reception in our private quarters."
No response to his sally came from the hatch, and Tom' noticed the
gradual addition of a number of sailors with lanterns about the
opening.
"Hope there's enough of them left from this little tea-party to trim
ship," said the mate, who had undertaken the duty of watching their
three prisoners.
"Guess they'll take good care of their own skins," Tom replied. "Even
if they don't show much regard for ours."
"Your friends is havin' a foine time," shouted Tim, whom no situation
could frighten, "and we'll all be glad to see yez with us if you'll only
accipt our invitation."
"You'd better be careful or they will be with us altogether too soon,"
interposed Tom.
"Right you are," the mate continued. "They won't stay away from us
after they find we are unarmed for very long."
The group on deck had evidently reached some conclusion at this
minute for a pair of legs followed by a long blue jacketed body
appeared on the upper rungs of the ladder and the first of the
sailors began a careful descent. He carried a long dirk in his belt,
and the three on guard shouted to the captain that they would have
to join him soon.
"Hold up a minute and I'll be ready for you," the captain replied.
"Just a couple of shakes, and we'll be all right."
The three Patriots retreated into the darkness of the afterhold, and
the first invader jumped to the bottom of the ladder, where he was
speedily joined by half a dozen of his companions.
"Let us out of this," cried the captive sailors, who had been roped up
by the boys. "Let us have a whack at them too."
"What's in these kegs?" whispered Tom to the mate, pointing to a
small round object he had fallen over.
"Powder," replied the mate. "Why?"
Quick as a flash, Tom ran his fingers around the keg, until he found
the plug. Working this loose a fine stream of black powder ran out
and formed a little mound beside the keg. Tom hastily added more
to this and spread it out in a thin line running toward the captain.
Tim, grasping his idea, helped all he could to lengthen the thin trail
of powder, and they soon had a fuse of considerable length running
from the keg to the trap in the gun room.
The mutineers were now starting toward the four prisoners, and as
they approached to within a dozen yards of the keg, Tom cried out:
"Keep back or we'll send this old boat to the bottom. Another step
and I'll touch off these powder kegs in front of you!"
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