"What are you doing here?" George Washingtonasked. The commander-in-chief sounded furious.
"We made a mistake," Jack said. "We--we didn'tmean to come."George Washington turned to the rowers.
"Who let these children sneak aboard?" he asked ina stern voice.
The men looked at Jack and Annie with surprise.
"It's not their fault," Annie said quickly. "They wereworking too hard to notice us."Just then, the boat banged against the ice. The icecracked. The boat moved on, then bumped against theshore.
Two soldiers jumped out and pulled the boat up onthe shore.
12George Washington looked at Jack and Annie.
"This boat is returning to get more men," he said.
"When it does, you two will get out and stay on theother shore.""Yes, sir" said Jack. He felt very embarrassed.
George Washington then gave orders to the rowers.
"Make sure these children do not board any otherboats when you return," he said.
The general stepped onto the riverbank.
The wind started to pick up. The snow fell harder.
As the crew unloaded the boat, neither Jack norAnnie spoke.
Jack was miserable. They had caused trouble forGeorge Washington--just when the general wastrying to make America an independent nation.
Jack desperately wished he and Annie had gonehome earlier.
They watched more and more boats landed on theriverbank. As the soldiers unloaded their weaponsand horses, a freezing rain began. Now rain, snow,and sleet fell together.
Jack heard George Washington call to one of hismen.
"This storm is getting worse, Major!" the generalsaid.
"Yes, sir!" the major said.
"I think we're in for a blizzard," said Washington.
"Yes, sir! Our mission may be hopeless sir," said themajor. "Should we call it off?""No, you shouldn't," Jack whispered "You're goingto win.""Should we turn back, sir?" the major said"No, no!" said Annie.
She stood up. The boat rocked.
"Don't turn back, George Washington sir!" sheshouted. "You have to march on, sir! You have toattack the Hessians, sir!""Shh!" Jack tried to pull Annie back down "We'renot supposed to know about their secret mission!""How does she know our plans, Major?" GeorgeWashington asked.
"Listen to us, sir!" said Annie. "You're going towin!" She pulled away from Jack and jumped out ofthe boat.
"Annie!" Jack leaped onto the riverbank.
He scrambled after Annie up the steep, icy slope.
"You have to lead your men, General Washington,sir!" Annie said. "The Hessians will be surprised! Theythink no army will be marching on a night like this!""How do you know all this?" the major shoutedabove the storm. "How do you know what theHessians are doing and thinking?""I--I--" For once, Annie seemed at a loss for words.
13"She just guessed!" said Jack.
Just then, the bearded soldier who had yelled atJack earlier stepped forward.
"I saw this boy earlier," he said. "He was writingthings down.""No, I was just..." Now Jack was at a loss for words.
"Seize them!" the major shouted. "They're spies!" |