Surprise at Yorktown

by Marianne Hering

  “Are you truly prepared to give up Yorktown?” Officer Mudge asked.

  Yorktown! Patrick knew that Yorktown was an important battleground in the American Revolution. But he couldn’t remember the details.

  “They will think it’s a coward’s way out,” Officer Mudge said.

  Cornwallis frowned at Mudge. “It is not cowardly to free ourselves,” he said sharply. “It is not cowardly to set our own trap for the Americans. It is not cowardly to win this war.”

  Achoo! Officer Mudge suddenly sneezed.

  He turned toward Sally. “Do you have a clean pocket handkerchief, girl?” he said sharply.

  Patrick thought of the handkerchief Mr. Whittaker had given to him. He was about to offer it, but Sally stepped forward.

  “Here, sir,” Sally said in a small voice. She held out a handkerchief in her hand.

  Officer Mudge grabbed the cloth without saying thank you. He blew his nose. The noise sounded like a trumpet blast. He stuffed the dirty handkerchief into his pocket.

  Patrick was glad he hadn’t wasted Whit’s gift on Mudge’s nose.

  Suddenly a black man stepped into the cave. He had red pants tucked into knee-high brown boots. His white shirt had a ruffle at the neck. He wore a red jacket. His black hat was decorated with white-and-purple flowers.

  The man carried a satchel with a long strap. It hung over his shoulder. A loaf of bread was tucked underneath one arm.

  General Cornwallis looked up. “Come in, Armistead,” he said. “Wait over there.”

  “Yes, sir,” the man called Armistead said. His voice was rich and deep. He stepped in and crossed to the other table. He stood straight and still like a statue.

  “The boats will arrive before midnight,” the general said to Officer Mudge. “I believe we could move most of our troops out before morning light. But we must be prepared and move quickly.”

  “Yes, General,” Officer Mudge said.

  Cornwallis turned to the second officer. “Give orders for the troops to get ready,” he said. “They will soon board the Gloucester boats.”

  The second officer saluted. Then he turned and left the cave.

  Sally curtsied to the general. “With your leave, sir, may we go?”

  General Cornwallis kept his eyes on the map and waved to dismiss them.

  Officer Mudge held up a hand. “Have you finished the laundry?” he asked Sally.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Then report to the docks,” Officer Mudge said. “Tell the officer in charge, Colonel Lake, that I sent you. You three are to watch for stowaways.”

  Sally said, “But—”

  “But nothing,” Officer Mudge said with a sneer. “Now, obey me or suffer.”

  “Yes, sir,” Sally said,giving a curtsey.

  As he left the cave, Patrick glanced back. The two officers and Armistead were looking at the map. Somehow he had to warn the Americans about General Cornwallis’s plan. If the British escaped now, it could change the end of the war.

  But how could he and Beth get away?

  Working for King George

  Beth, Patrick, and Sally left the cave and walked back the way they had come. Beth couldn’t walk away fast enough. She knew that Patrick felt the same way she did. They had to find George Washington and tell him Cornwallis’s plan. But she also knew she shouldn’t say anything in front of Sally.

  They reached the river’s edge.

  “Who was the man in the flowered hat?” Beth asked. She tried to make the question sound natural.

  “That was James Armistead,” Sally said. “He’s not wearing a uniform because he’s a runaway slave. But now he’s General Cornwallis’s servant. Lots of slaves have run away and joined the British. They were promised freedom if the British win the war.”

  Beth remembered their adventure with another man named James—James Forten. He had refused to fight for the British.

  Patrick gazed at the river. “Where exactly are we?” he asked.

  “You don’t know?” Sally said. She looked at him with suspicion. “I thought you came from town.”

  “He got turned around,” Beth said. “Not all people are good with directions.”

  “Yorktown is to the north of us,” Sally said.

  Beth looked at Patrick. How could they stop the British from escaping?

  “It’s easy to get mixed up these days,” Sally said as they walked on. “Nothing’s the same since the British came. They’ve dug up the earth with trenches. The ground has been blasted with cannonballs. Now many of the rabbits and squirrels have run off.”

  “Are the British allowed to boss you around like that?” Beth asked.

  Sally frowned. “The British are allowed to do whatever they want,” she said. “Who’s going to stop them?”

  Sally now led them up the river again.

  “What can we do?” Beth whispered to Patrick.

  “I don’t know,” Patrick said.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  The cannon blasts sounded all around them. After a few moments, they rounded the cliff wall.

  Beth and Patrick now saw what the rock wall had blocked from view. British soldiers in bright-red jackets were everywhere. Injured soldiers lay on the ground. Their wounds were wrapped with dirty cloths. Other redcoats carried large packs.

  Several wooden docks jutted out into the river. Tall ships sat near the docks. Their masts stood bare. The ships looked abandoned.

  “Why don’t they escape on those ships?” Beth asked.

  Sally laughed. “The sails were stripped off to use as tents,” she said. “They’ve taken as much wood as they can to build all the forts.”

  “Then why are we here?” Patrick asked.

  Sally pointed to smaller boats bobbing in the water. They were the size of lifeboats. Only a handful of people could fit into them. “Runaway slaves and British deserters have been stealing those,” she said.

  Facing the docks were rows of buildings and stores. Barrels, broken crates, and trash could be seen in the long shadows on the street.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  The sound of more cannons continued in the background.

  Sally approached a soldier standing guard on the docks. “Sir? Are you Colonel Lake?” she asked.

  The soldier frowned. “What do you want?”

  “Officer Mudge ordered me to report to you,” Sally said. “These children are here to serve you.”

  “I asked for a guard to stop stowaways,” the guard said. “They’re children.”

  “Yes, sir,” Sally said. “Perhaps that’s why Officer Mudge sent two.”

  Only two? Beth thought.

  Sally curtsied to the soldier and turned away.

  “Sally, wait!” Patrick called. “You’re supposed to help too!”

  Sally looked over her shoulder. “I’ve got to get the general his clean red clothes,” she said. With that remark, she was gone.

  Beth crossed her arms. “And we need to get back to our general too,” Beth said. She was thinking about General Washington.

  The soldier pressed his lips together. “Stop talking and follow me,” he said. “You’re working for King George tonight.”

  A Miracle

  Beth and Patrick followed Colonel Lake along a busy street. By now it was getting dark. Patrick looked around for a way of escape. It would be easier to hide after the sun had set.

  Colonel Lake stopped near the river’s edge. He pointed with his rifle toward a tall pile of baggage and crates.

  “Hide behind there,” the redcoat said. “And don’t fall asleep. Call me if you see anyone getting into a boat.”

  Beth nodded.

  “I won’t fall asleep,” Patrick said.

  Colonel Lake narrowed his eyes. “I’ll be keeping my eye on you two. No mischief!” The soldier lifted his rifle and moved a few feet away.

  Patrick felt restless. He realized the cannons had stopped firing. It was quiet now and cooler.

  Another soldier walked up to Colonel
Lake. As the two men talked, Patrick crouched down. He used the moment to talk to Beth.

  “Beth!” he said in a low voice. “C’mon! We have to get out of here. It’s darker now. And Colonel Lake isn’t watching.”

  Patrick scooted away and Beth followed. They ducked behind barrels and crates as best as they could. They stopped behind a wagon filled with supplies.

  “How much farther till we’re off the dock?” Beth whispered.

  “Let me check,” Patrick said. He leaned out from behind the wagon.

  Just then, a strong hand covered Patrick’s mouth. The other hand grabbed his shoulder.

  Patrick tried to call out. He kicked at the man’s bare feet and tried to twist away. But the man held on tight.

  Patrick glanced at Beth. Another man held her captive too. His skin was very dark, and he was dressed in rags. Patrick wondered if both men were runaway slaves.

  “We don’t want to hurt anybody,” the man said in Patrick’s ear. “I’ll let you talk if you promise not to cry out.”

  Patrick nodded. The rough hand over Patrick’s mouth relaxed. Then Patrick twisted his head free.

  “So what do you want?” Patrick asked.

  The man was as big as a bear. He wore loose black pants and a white shirt.

  “My name is Samuel,” the man said. “And I want you to keep quiet. My friend here needs to get to a boat.”

  “I’m a lookout for the redcoats,” Patrick said. “They’ll shoot you if they see you.”

  “Ah, but you don’t want to help the British, do you?” Samuel asked.

  “How do you know that?” Patrick asked.

  “You’re not wearing a uniform,” Samuel said. “And I saw you sneaking away from the guard.”

  Patrick thought about it. He looked carefully at the man holding Beth. “Your friend’s clothes say he’s a slave,” Patrick said.

  “That’s true,” Samuel said.

  “Then help me get to George Washington,” Patrick said, “and I won’t say a word.”

  The man smiled and nodded. “Moses,” he said to the man in rags. “Slip through the water now. Get on that boat double-quick.”

  The man called Moses let Beth go.

  She looked wide-eyed at Patrick and took a deep breath. But she didn’t scream.

  Moses slipped out from behind the wagon and ran catlike to the water.

  Patrick didn’t know where the redcoat had gone. He expected shouts and gunfire. But all was silent except for a gentle splashing as Moses waded into the river. Patrick saw him swim into the growing darkness.

  “You know they’re watching for you,” Patrick said to Samuel. “Why are you leaving tonight?”

  “If the British leave, Moses’ owner will come looking for him,” Samuel said. “It will be worse than death. He likely wouldn’t live through the first beating.”

  “Aren’t you going?” Patrick asked.

  “Me?” Samuel said. “I’m already free,” He knelt low behind the wagon. “I’m here to help my friends. More slaves will be coming soon.”

  Patrick felt helpless as he watched Moses swim. Moses reached the nearest boat. He climbed over its side and disappeared from view. The boat bobbed and tipped. Then a pair of oars appeared. Moses sat up and quietly rowed the boat away.

  “Best pray he makes it to freedom,” Samuel said.

  “Yes,” Beth said. “But if he gets away in a boat, then so can each British soldier.”

  Patrick felt confused too. He didn’t want the British soldiers to get away. But he wanted Moses and other slaves to escape.

  “Are more stowaways coming?” Patrick asked Samuel.

  “Yes, sir,” the man said softly.

  Patrick heard noises from farther down the dock. A large boat rowed by a handful of redcoats bumped up to the dock. Patrick guessed it was the first boat from the other side of the river. That meant the British soldiers could now escape one boat at a time.

  “We didn’t make it to General Washington in time,” Patrick said. “Now General Cornwallis will escape.”

  “If the boats can cross the river, the British will get away,” Beth said. “This war will never end. We need a miracle.”

  A miracle, Patrick thought. They hadn’t been able to warn George Washington. What could stop the British now? Only a miracle. A glimmer of hope entered his heart.

  Patrick remembered John Hancock and Samuel Adams. They had asked God for help when the Revolutionary War started. Now America needed God’s help to bring the war to an end.

  Patrick closed his eyes and bowed his head. He prayed, Dear God, please stop the redcoats from escaping. Bring an end to the fighting.

  “What will the slaves do if the British leave?” Beth asked.

  “The British aren’t leaving,” Samuel said.

  “Why not?” Patrick asked.

  Samuel smiled and said, “Because I prayed and I saw your friend pray. The good Lord will hold the British back somehow.”

  “How will God stop them?” Patrick asked.

  Just then lightning flashed across the sky.

  The man laughed.

  Kaboom! Thunder shook the barrels on the dock.

  “Like that!” Samuel said. “My work is done. Sorry that I can’t take you to General Washington. I have to warn the runaways. It’s not safe for them to leave tonight.”

  “That’s okay,” Patrick said. “Stay safe.”

  Samuel nodded and then crept away. He vanished into the night.

  Whoosh!—a gust of wind lifted Patrick’s hat off his head. He grabbed it before it got far.

  The redcoats scrambled around on the dock.

  Boom. KABOOM! Another flash of lightning. Then another.

  Suddenly rain poured down. Patrick pressed his hat onto his head. It was little protection against the pounding storm.

  Each flash of lightning lit up the night. Huge waves rose up on the river and splashed up on the street. The British boats looked like toys. They were being tossed about by the waves.

  They’re turning back! Patrick thought. This storm is making it too dangerous for them to escape! His heart felt full of hope by this answer to his prayer.

  Lightning hit close by. Out of instinct, the cousins leaped away from the wagon.

  “Hurry,” Patrick said. “Let’s find someplace safe to hide!”

  Beth started to run. But she stumbled and fell over her long dress.

  Patrick bent to help her up. But strong arms grabbed him first. It was Colonel Lake.

  “I’ve been looking for you,” the guard shouted. “You left your post!”

  “It doesn’t matter now,” Patrick said. “No stowaways can get away in this storm!”

  Colonel Lake looked at the waves. He let go of Patrick.

  “Get out of the rain, then!” the guard shouted. “It’s every man for himself now!”

  “Where is it safe?” Patrick asked.

  But the guard wasn’t listening. He pushed away from Patrick. The man disappeared beyond the wall of rain.

  Patrick turned around to find Beth.

  She was gone.

  Armistead

  Kaboom! Beth clapped her hands over her ears. Just then she saw Colonel Lake grab Patrick. She ducked into a nearby warehouse to escape. She opened the door a crack and peeked outside. It seemed safe. Then she stuck her head outside.

  “Patrick!” Beth shouted. “Patrick, come this way!”

  Beth saw a form moving toward the warehouse. But the rain made it difficult for her to see. Was it Patrick? The shape was the right height. It wore the right hat. And it was sopping.

  She flung the door wide open. Patrick’s form stepped inside. He took off his hat. Water spilled from its curved brim.

  Beth shut the door quickly.

  “What is this place?” Patrick asked.

  “It must be a storage warehouse,” Beth said. “It’s got great stuff in here.”

  Beth found a brown wool blanket on a crate. She wrapped it around her. Then she pulled another o
ne from the top of a barrel. “Here,” she said, “this will warm you up.”

  Patrick thanked her and put the blanket around him. “Did you see what happened?” he asked. His eyes were huge with excitement. “God sent a storm so the British couldn’t escape!”

  “I hope Moses got across,” Beth said. “Or that he can swim to safety.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Patrick said. “He left before the waves got really rough.”

  Boom. Kaboom!

  Patrick pulled the blanket tight around him. He sat down on the floor.

  Beth sat down across from him. She leaned her back against the tall counter. She asked, “What should we do now?”

  “It must be past midnight,” Patrick said. “We should get some sleep.”

  “What about our escape?” she asked.

  Patrick lay down on his side. “We can’t go anywhere in this storm,” he said.

  “Will we ever find George Washington?” Beth asked.

  “I hope so,” Patrick said. He took off his jacket. He pulled off his shoes. Then he closed his eyes.

  “Good night,” Beth said. She took off her shoes.

  “Good night,” Patrick said in a sleepy voice.

  Beth woke with a start. Her neck felt stiff. A gray dawn dimly lit a window.

  Patrick sat next to her pulling on his shoes.

  Beth stood up and stretched. She looked around the warehouse. She hoped she might discover something helpful in the daylight. “I’m hungry,” she said.

  Patrick stood up. “Me, too,” he said. “But we’ve got to get away from the British as fast as we can.”

  Beth peeked out the door. “Most of the soldiers are down by the docks,” she said. “The storm must have wrecked everything.”

  Beth listened for a moment. The cannons were silent. She saw a large square of paper on one of the barrels. She studied it closely. “Look!” she said. “It’s a map of the area!”

  Patrick joined her near the map.

  The map was drawn by hand. It showed a path from the docks to the warehouses.