by Kate Messner
It was mid-December when Isaac and Ranger set out to rejoin Isaac’s unit. A messenger had brought word to the farm that the Fourteenth Continental Regiment was marching through New Jersey. He’d brought other news as well, and none of it was good.
The weeks that had been so terrible for Isaac had been just as painful for the Continental Army. The British had taken New York City. Washington’s troops had been forced to retreat to New Jersey, and then Pennsylvania. Now they were just over the river from Trenton. But that city was held by the Hessians, paid German soldiers who fought with the Redcoats. General Washington feared the Hessians would cross the river and attack as soon as the ice formed. He’d ordered the Fourteenth to join the rest of the troops in Pennsylvania. And now, under the command of General John Sullivan, Isaac’s regiment and others were marching to meet up with the rest of the army.
Isaac pulled his wool coat tight around him as they walked. The farmer had given him food and a bit of money for his journey. Isaac paid a man a few coins to ferry him and Ranger across the Hudson River.
They pressed on for another hour before it began to get dark. Isaac found a protected spot in the woods. He built a fire and shared a biscuit and dried meat with Ranger before they went to sleep.
In the morning, they set out again. Isaac thought he’d catch up with the rest of the troops in a day or two. But he and Ranger trudged through cold mud and slept two more nights in the woods, with no sign of General Sullivan’s men.
The sun was low in the sky on December 20 when Isaac stopped. “Did you hear that, dog?” He stood still so his boots wouldn’t rustle the dead leaves. It was quiet. Isaac shook his head. “Never mind,” he said, and started walking again. “Come on, dog.”
But Ranger didn’t come. He tipped his head, listening. There was a noise, way in the distance. It sounded like the blowy music thing Sadie had brought home from school in third grade — all airy and high. Ranger barked.
Isaac turned around. “What is it?” He stopped, but all he heard was wind whistling through the bare trees. It was getting colder every minute, and soon it would be dark. Isaac shivered. They should have arrived at Washington’s camp by now. Were they even going the right way anymore?
Ranger barked again. Then he started walking toward the sound.
“No, dog,” Isaac said. “This way.”
Ranger kept going until Isaac turned to follow him. The sound was getting louder. He smelled horses. And people. Lots of people. So many that he could feel the road vibrating under his paws.
“Wait!” Isaac paused to listen. It was fife music! And drumming. He looked down at Ranger. “Did you find General Sullivan?”
Find? Ranger’s ears perked up. Sometimes it was hard to follow a person’s scent, but today, it was easy. There were so many men! Their scents were strong in the air and on the road — all sweat and blood and wood fires. Ranger kept his nose down and walked faster.
“Look!” Isaac shouted. Just down the hill, a long column of men marched ahead of them on the road.
Isaac’s feet were so cold he could barely feel them anymore, but his heart warmed when he saw that the men were wearing the uniforms of the Continental Army.
When he caught up, an officer rode to meet him. “What is your business here?”
“I’m Isaac Pope of the Fourteenth Continental Regiment,” Isaac said. “I fell ill as we ferried the army across the East River. A farmer cared for me until I was well again, and now I’ve come to rejoin my regiment.”
“Very well.” The officer looked Isaac up and down. “Fall in, then. There may be a special order for you when we arrive at camp.”
“A special order?” Isaac was puzzled. “No one even knew I was on my way.”
“Yes, but we’ve had a messenger meet us with a letter from General Washington,” the officer said.
“General Washington?” What business could the general possibly have with him? “Are you certain he asked for me, sir?”
“He did not ask for you by name, but you may be suited to this job.” The officer leaned down from his horse and lowered his voice. “The general is in need of a spy.”
In another hour, they arrived at Washington’s camp — a sea of canvas tents with soldiers milling about in the twilight. Isaac breathed in the smell of soup, simmering in big kettles over the fires, and realized how hungry he’d been. The farmer’s biscuits hadn’t lasted long.
Isaac was about to go looking for Joe when the officer he met on the road appeared at his side. “Follow me.” The man led Isaac to a tent that was larger than the rest. He lifted the flap, and Isaac stepped inside. Ranger started to follow, but the officer blocked him with a big leather boot. “The hound can wait outside,” he said.
The officer folded his arms and looked at Isaac. “Although you were separated from your unit, you must know that our situation is desperate,” he said.
Isaac nodded. He’d heard enough to know that the Continental Army was in trouble. Many expected that the Redcoats would take Philadelphia any day.
“We must have a victory to keep the cause alive,” the officer said.
Isaac felt a strange weight settle over him. Did the officer expect him to deliver that victory? “How may I be of help, sir?”
The officer pulled a letter from his cloak. “Recently, General Washington wrote to his officers asking us to find a man who might cross the river as a spy without being detected,” he said. He unfolded the letter and read, “That we may, if possible, obtain some knowledge of the enemy’s situation, movements, and intention. Particular inquiry should be made by the person sent, if any preparations are being made to cross the river.”
“But, sir …” Isaac’s empty stomach twisted. He had never imagined himself a spy. As soon as he did, it was easy to imagine himself being captured. “Surely there is a local man who would better know the area and —”
“The general fears that someone local might betray us.” The officer looked at Isaac. “Beyond that, you are in a special position to enter the Hessians’ camp.”
Isaac stared at the officer. “How is that, sir?”
The officer looked Isaac up and down. “We will dress you in the clothes of a butcher’s servant. As such, you shall deliver meat to the Hessian regiments at Trenton,” he said. “If they are as hungry as we are, you will be most welcome. You must find the Hessian commander, Colonel Rall. Tell him that you are a slave who has escaped from your master. And that the British hired you to spy on the Rebels, so you have come with information as well as pork.”
Now Isaac understood why he’d been chosen. The Redcoats had offered freedom to any enslaved man who ran from a Rebel and joined them. Isaac had seen plenty of men with brown skin fighting with the British on Long Island. And who could blame them? The Continental Army offered no such promises. Men like Joe were fighting for freedom they might never have for themselves.
But Isaac had pledged his loyalty to the Patriot cause. The mariners of Marblehead were like brothers. He’d promised to stand beside them to the end. If this was what he was called upon to do, then he would obey the order.
“I understand, sir,” Isaac said. “When shall I go?”
“You will cross the river tonight,” the officer said. “Pay attention to the activities of the Hessians and the terrain on the way to Trenton as well. It may all be of use.”
Ranger sat close to the tent, listening to the muffled voices inside. When Isaac finally came back, his eyes were wide and scared. Ranger nuzzled his hand until Isaac looked down and scratched his neck.
“Wish me luck, dog,” he said. “I hope I see you again.”
“Take him with you,” someone said. Isaac looked up and saw the officer leaning out of the tent. “Tell the Hessians you stole him from your master. If the dog comes back here alone, we’ll know you’ve run into trouble.” The officer handed Isaac his disguise — a shirt and trousers, a wool blanket, and a blood-stained leather apron like the one the butcher had worn back home in Marblehead. “Get dre
ssed and be off.”
Isaac went to a tent and changed his clothes, shivering in the cold wind that blew through the canvas. He wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and looked down at Ranger. “Ready, dog?”
Ranger followed Isaac out of camp. As they walked, voices and cooking noises faded into the trees until the only sound was the crunch of Isaac’s shoes in the crusty snow.
Isaac pulled the knotted rope from his pocket and held it as he marched. Ranger sniffed at it. It smelled a little like the thick rope Luke and Sadie used to play tug-of-war with him sometimes. Did Isaac want to play?
Ranger grabbed the rope in his teeth and yanked it out of Isaac’s hand.
“Hey!” Isaac reached for it but missed. Ranger shook the rope in his mouth. Isaac laughed and dove for it. He caught one end and tugged, but Ranger held on. “You want to play, do you?” They yanked the rope back and forth until, finally, Isaac stopped to catch his breath.
“That was fun, but we have to keep going now,” he said. He gave a gentle tug, and Ranger followed him along the trail. Neither one of them let go of the knotted rope until they reached the Delaware River. Then, Isaac dropped it and stared.
General Washington’s fears had come true. The river had iced over in the frigid weather. Isaac was surprised the Hessians hadn’t already crossed to attack them. But they hadn’t.
Now it was up to Isaac to make sure they never did.
Isaac picked up the rope and shoved it into his pocket. Then he stepped carefully onto the ice. It held. He took another step. And another. The farther he got from shore, the more his heart thudded in his chest, as if it didn’t want to come along on this dangerous trip. But Isaac had been given an order.
Ranger followed Isaac out onto the ice. He’d walked on ice plenty of times before, when Luke and Sadie went out to play hockey on the frozen pond near their house. But this ice felt different. Slushy and uneven. Dangerous.
Ranger barked, and Isaac hesitated. Ranger pawed at Isaac’s leg and barked again. It wasn’t safe. They should go back.
“It’s okay, dog.” Isaac squinted into the darkness. “We’re more than halfway.” He could make out a light on the other shore. Maybe a lantern in a tavern or ferry building. Were the Hessians inside? He’d have to be ready with his story if they came out to confront him.
Isaac started walking again, sliding his feet over the river’s icy surface so he wouldn’t slip and fall. When he met the Hessian soldiers, he’d make sure his apron was showing. I’ve come with information, he’d say, as if they should already know who he was. When they didn’t, he’d explain that he worked for the British, and —
Crack!
The ice under Isaac’s feet buckled. He froze. Water seeped up from the river as the crack spread like a spider web beneath him.
Isaac sucked in his breath. Could he go back? Slowly, he turned to look at Ranger. The dog crouched, whimpering on the ice nearby.
“It’s all right, dog,” Isaac said. But his voice trembled and his heart raced.
It wasn’t all right. None of this was all right.
But if he moved slowly enough, maybe he could get back to solid ice.
Isaac slid one foot to the side. The ice seemed stable, but as soon as he shifted his weight, there was another crack, and the ice chunk tilted. His boots slipped out from under him.
No!
A wave of river water rushed over the ice as Isaac fell. He threw his arms out and tried to grab something — anything — to claw his way to safety. But there was nothing to hold.
Isaac plunged into the icy river. It was so cold he couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t even think. But he caught another slab of ice floating by and held on.
Ranger barked. His paws slid as he tried to stay afloat on his own chunk of ice that had suddenly broken free. Just as he caught his balance, another slab came churning down the river and slammed into his, throwing him into the water.
Ranger paddled as hard as he could. He strained to lift his head so he could see. Where was Isaac?
There! Isaac was clinging to a piece of ice floating downstream. More ice was breaking free every second — enormous chunks bigger than horses. The rushing river sent them crashing into one another. Isaac had to get to shore or he’d be crushed!
Ranger paddled toward Isaac. The current had brought them closer to the New Jersey shore. It wasn’t too far to swim. Ranger barked and pawed at Isaac’s shoulder. But Isaac wouldn’t let go.
Ranger barked again. He swam toward shore a little and then back. Isaac needed to follow him!
“Go on, dog!” Isaac’s voice shook. He lifted a shaky hand and pointed toward shore. “Go on!” Maybe the dog would bring help. Isaac tried not to think about what would happen if the Hessians who rescued him found out he was a spy. He’d be killed for treason. But at least he’d get out of the river. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold on.
“Go on, dog! Go!” Isaac shouted. But the dog kept coming back to him. “I can’t swim! Go! Find help!”
Find? Ranger didn’t want to leave Isaac, but he couldn’t make him let go of the ice. He’d have to find someone to help.
Ranger turned and paddled for shore. The river churned with ice chunks bumping together. Ranger swam between them until he felt rocks under his paws and scrambled onto the icy bank.
Ranger shook himself. He looked around.
The shore was quiet. But along with the smells of river ice and wood smoke in the air, Ranger picked up the scent of men. Two of the scent trails were fresh. Someone had been here not long ago. Ranger had to find them — quickly! He had to bring them to help Isaac.
Ranger followed the scent trail along the shore and through some trees. He followed it up a long, rocky hill to a road.
There! Two men in dark coats and pointy hats were walking away from him. Ranger barked, and one of them turned around.
Ranger ran up to the men. One bent to pet him. The other said something. His words sounded different from the way Luke and Sadie and Isaac talked.
Ranger pawed at the men’s legs. He ran back and forth barking until, finally, one of the men said something and they both started toward the river.
Ranger led them down the bank to the shore. All he saw was water and ice.
The men talked to each other and started to go away. Ranger jumped up on one of them and barked again. He raced up and down the riverbank. Where was Isaac?
Finally, a weak voice called out, “Dog? Here!”
Ranger raced down the shoreline with the soldiers rushing after him. Isaac had made it through the ice and collapsed on the riverbank. He was shivering in his frozen clothes and could barely speak. But he reached out to Ranger.
Ranger licked the boy’s hand and then huddled close to warm him.
The two soldiers shouted something at Isaac.
“What?” Isaac’s eyes were wide. He held his shaking hands up and pointed toward Trenton. “I have information. I need to see Colonel Rall,” he said. He could barely get the words out through his chattering teeth.
The men looked at each other. One took a wool blanket from his sack and wrapped it around Isaac. Then he pulled Isaac roughly to his feet. He spoke to the other man, and they led Isaac up the hill.
Isaac didn’t understand German. All he could do was hope they were taking him to the Hessian headquarters and Colonel Rall. When he got there, he’d have one chance to convince the Hessian commander he was a friend. One chance to stay alive.
Isaac’s feet were numb, but he forced himself to keep walking with the Hessian soldiers. He’d been half-asleep on the riverbank, so cold that he thought of closing his eyes and giving up. But then the dog had found him. The Hessians had warmed him at a fire until he was painfully awake. Every bit of his skin burned with the cold now as they set out for Trenton.
Isaac wished he could sink down in the snow and go to sleep. But he had to stay alert. He was already gathering information about the road. He noticed how the steep, icy trail wound its way through dar
k woods. The ruts would make travel difficult for horses, carts, and cannons. Isaac noted the two ravines they crossed — one deep and one smaller. He tried to etch every detail into his memory.
When they arrived in Trenton, Ranger followed Isaac and the soldiers into a house. It smelled of wood smoke and meat and pine branches. A stern-looking man sat in a chair by the fire. He wore a ruffled shirt under his jacket and a scowl on his face. It had to be Colonel Rall.
Isaac started to speak, but one of the soldiers held up a hand and said something. The other man left the room, and a few minutes later, he returned with a different soldier who spoke both German and English. This man would serve as a translator.
The soldier nodded for Isaac to begin, so he launched into the story he’d rehearsed. He said he’d been chased by a Patriot patrol and tried to escape across the river, but then the ice broke. Isaac paused so the soldier could translate.
Colonel Rall laughed and said something to the others. Isaac looked at the man translating. “We check the ice every day,” he said. “We test if it is safe to cross. Not yet.”
Isaac nodded. He tried not to look interested, but this was important information. It was just as General Washington feared! The Hessians were only waiting for solid ice to form. Then they would cross the river and attack. Isaac swallowed hard and went on with his story.
When he fell through the ice, he told the soldiers, he heard the men who had chased him laughing and jeering on the opposite shore. They must have been certain he’d die in the icy water. And he would have, except for the dog that went to get the Hessian soldiers to save him.
Colonel Rall looked at Ranger. He looked at the soldiers who had found Isaac, and they nodded. This was indeed what had happened.
Colonel Rall said something and pointed to the door. One of the soldiers let Ranger outside, with some other dogs that were in the yard.
Then the translator looked at Isaac and said, “Where did you come from?”