George Washington Werewolf Read Online Free Page B

something untamed and dangerous. But this was what they needed. The men had grown tired, complacent, weary of war, and filled with a longing for home. He hoped that this man would somehow make them want to fight again, and make them want to win.
    “My husband has told me all about you, Baron,” said Martha Washington. “So many interesting tales!”
    “And perhaps one or two are even true,” the Baron smiled.
    At this one of Isaac Potts’s dogs, a large Alsatian named Romulus, trotted into the room, but it stopped abruptly as it peeled its lips and growled at Baron Von Steuben. The dog looked him right in the eye, a look of challenge and fear even, and it seemed as if it were about to attack when this well-dressed dwarf kicked the beast in the ribs and told it in no uncertain terms to be gone.
    “Forgive me,” said Washington, “the owner of the house, his dog…”
    “Quite all right.”
    But Martha Washington looked at the Baron for a moment longer, sensing something peculiar, something odd, and suddenly she felt an unsettled feeling in her stomach.
    “What is it dear?” Washington asked. “You look peaked.”
    “Do I? It must be the rich food.”
    “No, it’s because Mrs. Potts is nowhere near the cook that Mrs. Washington is!” the General said as an aside.
    “Hmm, my kind sir,” Martha bowed, and then she turned to the Baron. “Well, I’m sure that you and my husband have many things to discuss,” she said, as she begged her leave.
    “A charming woman,” said Von Steuben.
    Martha Washington left their company and as she came into the drawing room she saw Romulus the dog, and she bent down to pet his head.
    “What is it boy? What’s wrong?”
    The dog nuzzled up to her, licked her face, gave its tail a wag, but then stood at attention as it stared into the other room, its eyes fixed again on the Baron. A low measured growl rumbled through the dog’s body and into her hand as she stroked its flank, and Martha Washington stared at Von Steuben with the same incredulous scrutiny.
    “So I hope your quarters are to your satisfaction…” George Washington said.
    “They are, General. And to ease your mind I will begin at first light to shape your men into an army.”
    “I hope they weren’t too embarrassing a sight upon your arrival…”
    “Not at all, General!”
    But Washington saw in his expression that this was not quite true.
    “But tonight let us celebrate your arrival, Baron!” Washington exclaimed.
    “Yes, because from tomorrow on it will be all business. Have you met Otto?” the Baron asked. “My aide-de-camp…”
    And Von Steuben motioned downward at the dwarf. And there was the marvelous moment as the six foot three General Washington bent down to shake hands with the three foot six inch dwarf.
    “A pleasure, sir,” said Washington.
    “The pleasure is mine,” Otto replied.
    “Otto is my right hand,” said the Baron. “My confidante, my friend, my protector, my… how do you say? My confessor?”
    And George Washington couldn’t help but smile that this very small person could be so many things (including the protector of such a formidable figure as Baron Friedrich Von Steuben). At this, Colonel Burr walked over.
    “Baron Von Steuben, may I introduce to you one of my most valued officers, Colonel Aaron Burr…”
    “Colonel Burr…”
    “Baron…”
    “I’m sure you will be seeing more of me than you would like over the next several months,” Von Steuben smiled.
    “It will be my honor, sir.”
    “But for now I must discuss things with your General…”
    “Of course, sir!”
    “Good night, Colonel.”
    “Good night, Baron.”
    “So what did you want to discuss?” Washington asked.
    “Nothing,” the Baron smiled. “He just seems like a very serious man.”
    “Colonel Burr? Yes he is.”
    “ Tomorrow I will be serious,” said Von Steuben. “Tonight I will be gay! ” he emptied his glass. “This wine is excellent mon Général! ”
    “Yes, your friend