Revolutionary War on Wednesday

soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country. But he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.… ’ ”
    â€œWow, that’s great,” whispered Annie.
    Listening to the powerful words, Jack felt his spirits rise, too.
    â€œÂ â€˜The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph,’ ” the commander-in-chief read on. “ ‘What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only that gives everything its value.’ ”
    There was a silence, as if everyone were thinking about the words the man had read. Then the soldiers started cheering and clapping. They didn’t seem tired at all anymore. Now they seemed eager to set out on their mission.
    The commander-in-chief saluted his men. He steered his horse toward the river.
    As the horse moved past them, Jack got a better look at the rider.
    He gasped.
    Of course!
he thought. He’d seen that face before—on dollar bills!
    Jack grabbed Annie’s arm.
    â€œI know who the commander-in-chief is!” he exclaimed. “He’s
George Washington!
”

“George Washington? Really?” said Annie.
    â€œYeah, I think he is!” said Jack.
    â€œWow! Where’d he go?” said Annie. “I want to see him again! Come on!”
    She started toward the river.
    â€œWait—don’t go far,” said Jack. “I just want to make sure it’s him.”
    He opened the Revolutionary War book. He found a picture of the boats on the riverbank. He read:
    When General George Washington gathered his troops by the Delaware River, he was commander-in-chief of the whole American army. The general led the army for six years, until America became a free and independent nation. In 1789, he was elected the first president of the new United States.
    â€œOh, man, it
is
him,” said Jack.
    He pulled out his notebook and wrote:

    â€œHey, what are you writing?” someone asked.
    Jack looked up.
    A bearded soldier was pointing at him.
    Jack shoved the Revolutionary War book and his notebook into his bag.
    â€œNothing, sir,” he said. He started walking away.
    The man shouted after Jack. But Jack ran down toward the river and lost himself in a crowd of soldiers.
    When he looked over his shoulder, he was relieved. The bearded man was nowhere in sight.
    â€œStop, young man!” Someone shone a lantern right in Jack’s face.
    Jack gasped.
    It was the captain.
    â€œI told you to go home, Jack,” the captain said sternly. “Where’s your sister?”
    Jack looked around. Where
was
Annie?
    â€œI don’t know,” he said.
    â€œFind her at once and go back to your family!” the captain ordered. “Our secret mission is very important. Children will only get in the way.”
    â€œYes, sir!” said Jack.
    The captain started to leave. But he stopped.
    â€œI wonder if you could do me a favor, Jack?” he asked.
    â€œSure,” said Jack.
    The captain pulled out his letter.
    â€œThis is my letter to my children,” he said. “It’s a farewell letter. Would you please take it back with you to Frog Creek?”
    â€œYes, sir,” said Jack.
    â€œYou must only send it if you hear that we have failed in our mission and many patriots were lost,” said the captain.
    â€œYes, sir,” said Jack.
    The captain handed his letter to Jack.

    â€œI copied the general’s speech for my children,” the captain said. “If anything bad happens to me, I hope those words will give them courage.”
    The captain then turned and disappeared into the crowd.
    â€œGood luck, Captain!” Jack called. He hoped he would never have to send the letter to the man’s children.
    Suddenly, Jack clutched the letter to his chest.
    â€œ
Send!
” he whispered.
    This letter was the writing they’d been looking for—
something to send!
He and Annie could go home now! Their mission was over!
    Jack shoved the captain’s letter into his bag. Now he just had to find Annie.
    As he looked around, he shivered.
    â€œWhere is she?” he muttered.
    Jack started moving through the crowd, looking for Annie.
    It was hard to see. The wind was blowing harder. The snow fell faster.
    Jack started to panic.
    â€œAnnie!” he called.
    As he wove quickly in and out of the crowd, he kept calling for her. None of the soldiers