Guns for General Washington Read Online Free

should—”
    His friend waved a carefree hand, kicked off his boots, and sat down near the stove, still a bit warm from Paul’s cooking. “Lordy,” he sighed, “this feels good. It’s powerful cold in Cambridge, and barely any firewood left. Not enough to warm a man’s big toe.”
    Paul pulled a stool up next to his friend, and stared at him with envy. William was a Massachusetts soldier and his older brother, Henry, was a colonel of artillery on Washington’s staff. They were
really
in the fight—not sitting it out in Boston like he was.
    â€œThings are bad here,” Paul said sadly, “and getting worse. What’s happening, Will? When’s Washington going to come and throw them out?”
    William shrugged. “We’re trapped, Paulie. Scotched and hog-tied. We’ve almost no powder and ball left. And we can’t make a move without cannons. If we marched on Boston, Howe would blow the whole city to bits, and us along with it.”
    Paul looked thoughtful. “Any news of my father?”
    His visitor nodded. “He’s been riding express for the congress. And I hear tell he’s etching some new copper plates. The delegates want to print money—our
own
currency instead of the king’s paper. New currency for a new country.”
    Paul frowned. “It’s a grand gesture, but we need a lot more than that. They say Howe’s getting reinforcements. If we don’t stop him, there won’t
be
a new country.”
    Will got up and drank water from a tin dipper at the kitchen pump. He had an odd, eager look on his weathered face. “Paulie, I’m not right sure yet, but I’ll pass you a secret. Not a word to anyone, mind you, but something big is brewing. My brother, Henry, has a marvelous plan. Some of the officers think he’s daft, but Henry doesn’t care. He’s going to talk to the War Council tomorrow.”
    â€œWhat’s it about?”
    William pulled on his boots. “Can’t say—I’ve said too much already. But pray hard that the council lets him go ahead. And now, I’d best be on my way.”
    The young trooper gave his friend a clumsy bear hug. Then, with a quick salute, he slipped out the door and melted into the night.
    Paul hung the rabbit in the wash shed and climbed the stairs. Will’s visit had cheered him up. He didn’t feel quite so lonely anymore; he decided to get ready for bed.
    Lying there, staring at the ceiling, Paul thought about Colonel Knox. What was this “marvelous plan” Will had mentioned? And why did some of the officers think Henry Knox was daft? Well, no matter. Daft or sane, he would pray for the colonel. He would pray hard.
    In the distance he could hear the thud of marching boots. The British were changing the guard company at the North Battery. The ominous sound gradually faded, and in the cold, dark silence Paul dozed off, wondering about tomorrow.

5
“Go Ahead, Henry . . .”
    The day after Will’s secret visit, the War Council met in Cambridge. The council was made up of leading officers of the army; among them was Henry Knox.
    Everyone at headquarters, including the commander, liked Colonel Knox. He was only twenty-five, but he had a way about him that inspired confidence. Over six feet tall with big shoulders and a booming laugh, he was lively, enthusiastic, and completely fearless. In fact, some of the men thought Henry wanted to take on the British all by himself and lick them single-handedly.
    Before the rebellion, Henry had owned a bookshop on Boston’s Cornhill Street and Will had worked with him. It was an unusual shop; along with books, they sold tobacco, musical instruments, telescopes, patent medicines, and a brand of snuff said to “cure deafness and improve memory.” But the books were Henry’s main interest, and he read most of them. Especially the ones dealing with weapons and warfare.