05 The Letter

5 The Letter “ George Washington? Really?” said Annie. “ Yeah, I think he is! " said Jack. “ Wow! Where’d he go?” said Annie. “ I want to see him again! Come on! ” She started toward the river. “ Wait 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 river-bank. 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. “ Oh, man, it is him, " said Jack. He pulled out his notebook and wrote: General George washington helped America become independent “ Hey, 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.

“ Nothing, 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. “ Stop, young man! " Someone shone a lantern right in Jack's face. Jack gasped. It was the captain. “ I told you to go home, Jack, " the captain said sternly. “ Where's your sister?” Jack looked around. Where was Annie? “ I don't know, " he said.

“ Find 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. ” “ Yes, sir! " said Jack. The captain started to leave. But he stopped. “ I wonder if you could do me a favor, Jack?" he asked. “ Sure, " said Jack. The captain pulled out his letter. “ This is my letter to my children, " he said. “ It's a farewell letter. Would you please take it back with you to Frog Creek?” “ Yes, sir, " said Jack. “ You must only send it if you hear that we have failed in our mission and many patriots were lost, " said the captain. “ Yes, sir, " said Jack.

The captain handed his letter to Jack. “ I 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. “ Good 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. “ 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.