Valley Forge

Chapter V

December 24th, 1778

It's Christmas Eve, all the men in my cabin are writing letters to mothers fathers, women brothers everyone to tell them that they won't be home for Christmas by candlelight in the freezing cold the General is saying that the British are going to ambush us. Everyone's happy drinking by the fire Edwards is telling everyone about Icarus he learned in Rome, He'sbeen around the world twice at least that's what he says. Rome, Germany, Everywhere. I want to see Rome, I heard that there's a temple thereof a goddess named Athena, So many gods on the contrary of our one. "Pagans" Is what they called them. They were singing Yankee doodle around the fire yelling, belching and laughing.

"Why won't you join in?" Yelled Edwards Joyfully

"Oh-" He cut me off not letting me finish. 

"Cant you believe its been 2 years tomorrow since the father crossed the Hudson!" I nodded "Its a time to celebrate" He continued on and on "You usually love my stories" and on I just blocked most of it out "Are you missing Aliliana"

I froze my head hurt I stood still Clenching my fists "Are you alright James" He repeated my name I nodded "Yes I'm fine" and I just left

The wind howled in pain all night with snow falling to the ground they were all snoring and their stomachs growling. I couldn't sleep that night it wasn't just the wind and cold biting at my face and bare skin. I still don't know what woke me in the night. A clumsy footstep at the edge of our kindling pile, Perhaps. Maybe a Squirrel, for this was before they'd all been hunted. Whatever the cause, my eyes opened and would not shut. I crawled over the grumbling companions and went out the flap. 

I was not due to reliving Benny of his guard for another hour but I was fully awake so it seemed foolish to wait I loaded up my arms with firewood and went down the dark path to the guard post. There was supposed to be a sliver of the moon but the clouds quilted the sky and I was not able to see it and making it darker. I stepped carefully because the snow held stumps and stones. 

Half Way there I slowed to the sound of yelling and struggling

"Whos there" I yelled, "Name yourself!"

'Stupid Numbskull what if its British patrol or a group of desperate banditti Think fool'

Before I could twist my ear a figure ran towards me breathing heavily he veered around me and headed towards the camp. It sounded like he stumbled in the snow then regained his balance and ran faster. I waited till the night was quiet before I moved forwards barely being stopped again 

"Halt" A voice called "Whats the countersign"

"Benny?" I squinted my eyes and saw nothing "Is that you whats going on?"

"The sign is Windsor, Whats the countersign!" It yelled again I stepped closer

"It's me you ninny, James" I yelled back The sound of a hammer being pulled to full cock, preparing a musket to fire, Froze me in my British boots "The countersign" He demanded

"Hartford!" I shouted, "don't shoot me Hartford, Hartford, Hartford!" He sighed and uncocked his gun "Cant be too sure, help me up will you"

I stepped close enough to see his figure sitting in the snow I shifted the wood to one side and reached out a hand for him to grasp 

"Were you attacked?" I asked, "Is it the British?"

"No!" He grabbed my tattered sleeve before I could run back to alert the camp "It's not the British"

"Whats the matter then?"

"We need to build up the fire" He walked in the direction of the guard post without offering any explanation. I waited then followed several paces behind him fighting the temptation to push him back into the snow

By the time I reached the post, he was on his knees, blowing on the coal of the near-dead fire.

"Guards are supposed to guard," I said,"Not wander in the night and let the fire go out" I picked through the wood for the driest pieces "I could well freeze to death, thanks to you

"Pologies," He said "Go back to camp. I'll take your duty"

No man in his right mind would say such a thing. I did not know what to reply, so I fussed with the twigs and blew and blew until the flames caught and kindled the wood. We both leaned forward towards the fire to warm our hands and faces

I gasped Benny's left eye was puffy and darkened with blood. His mouth was swollen too, Bleeding as was his nose and the knuckles on his right hand.

"What happened?" I asked

"Lee." He mumbled "Someones outta hold him to his talking"

Lee, Lee, Lee, Lee, Lee,

"Does he know your Ali's Cousin"

"Haven't heard her been called that for a long while" 

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