Jack grabbed Annie's hand.
"We're not spies!" he said.
He whirled around to face George Washington.
"General Washington, remember those words yousaid to your men?" Jack said. "You should believethem yourself, sir!""What are you talking about?" George Washingtonasked.
Jack yanked the captain's letter from his bag.
By the light of the lamp, he read the words thecaptain had copied for his children:
"'These are the times that try men's souls...,"' Jackread. "'But he that stands it now deserves the love andthanks of man and woman.... The harder the conflict,the more glorious the triumph."'
Jack looked at George Washington.
"Even if things look impossible, you should keepgoing, sir," he said. "The harder things seem, thegreater the triumph, right? That's what you read toyour men. You have to keep going for their sake.""Yes! And you have to keep going for our sake,"said Annie. "For the sake of the future children ofAmerica, sir."As the wet snow hissed about them, Washingtonstared a long moment at Jack and Annie.
Finally, he put a hand on each of their shoulders.
"I do not know who you are," he said. "I do notknow how you know what you know. But I believeyou. For your sake, and for the future children ofAmerica, we will march on.""Yay!" cried Annie.
"Yay," said Jack softly. He sighed with relief andput away the captain's letter.
"Now get back in the boat," said GeorgeWashington. "You must leave the fighting to us. Tome and my men."Jack felt very grateful to George Washing-ton andhis whole army. They were risking their lives for allof America's children, past and future. He couldbarely speak.
"Thank you, sir," said Annie.
"Thank you both for telling me to listen to my ownadvice," said George Washington. He called to therowers waiting in the boat. "Take good care of thesetwo."George Washington climbed onto his horse. Helooked down at Jack and Annie.
"Merry Christmas," he said.
14Then the commander-in-chief rode away into thestormy darkness. |