War Comes to Willy Freeman!

Chapter 7&8

It was late afternoon and the sun was behind New York. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. But I wanted Ma so bad. There were prison ships down the river a ways, I went over to them. There were British soldiers all around them. I asked one of the soldiers if there was any black woman in there. The soldier looked at me and said we don’t keep woman and prisons. I said, not at all sir. I wanted to make sure he wasn't lying to me. He snapped back at me and said, are you deaf boy, didn't you hear what I said! I yes sir; I knew there wasn't going to be any arguing with him. He asked where I was from and I didn't want to say I was from Connecticut because it was rebel country. So I said over there, and pointed behind me. That what I kept saying. Then they said I was a spy and I said I can from Long Point, you won’t know where it is. It’s very small village. They took my arm and were going to put me in prison because they thought I was a spy. But then I told them I was a girl.  So the officer told me to get out of there now. So as I was walking up the road I felt someone touch my arm. I looked back and it was an officer named Charlie. He kept asking me if I was a girl. Then he un folder my arms and started lifting up my shirt. I shouted, no it was I lie I’m a boy not a girl. Then he reached for my chest and I pulled out a potato that I put in my shirt and showed him that I’m a boy. then all the officers were laughing at Charlie and I just got out of there as fast as I could.

I ran along for a mile or so until I figured I got away from the soldiers. What do I do next, I asked myself. The best thing I could do is cross over to New York. How would I get across the river? There must be a ferry somewhere, so I went to look for one. I came to a little village called Brooklyn. I fingered no fairy’s in tell morning so I slipped out behind a tavern and found a barn where they kept horses and slept. I woke up at dawn and slipped out before any one saw. I started down the road towards the fairy. I asked the black boy that drives it how much it is. He said tuppence, I’m going down there, hop on and I will give you a ride. I told him I didn't have a tuppence and I only had some money but I got stolen by someone when I was sleeping.  He asked me who my master was. I said Mr. Sam Frauces because I heard Uncle Jack talking about him before. He could tell I was lying. He said he would lie to if he didn't know me. So I said if you think you’re a good liar then tell me a story. He told me some tips about getting around in New York. He said he would get me past all the guards by the boarding dock.  I thought that was mighty kind of him. He said his name was Horace. I told him mine, we shook hands. We road along a little ways, then we were at Black Sam Fraunces tavern. We went behind his building; there was a barn behind there. I helped him unload some cordwood. He asked if I was hungry, and I said yes and then he said follow me into the kitchen. I asked if Mr. Fraunces would mind. He said he wouldn't mind at all.  We went and got some soup from the pot and the cooker said what are you doing. Horace said that Mr.Fraunces said I can help myself. Then standing there was Mr.Fraunces asking what he just said he could do. Mr. Fraunces asked when the last time I ate was and I told him two potato’s in a couple days. He asked me where I can from. I told him about my Uncle Jack because I didn't want to answer where I can from. He knew my Uncle Jack, I told him I was stay with them because my Ma got taken by the British. He asked my name and I told him my first and last name, so he would know I was free. So Horace got me some soup and we ate it, I felt really tired and fell asleep with my head on the table. Horace woke me up and told me Mr. Fraunces wanted to see me. I went into his office and he asked me if my Ma was Jacks sister. I told him that she was jacks wife’s sister. So it was his sister in law. He started asking me questions and I couldn't lie so I told him the truth about my Pa getting killed and the jolly boat and all that stuff. I started crying during it, and then I got done telling the story. He just looked at me and said I could stay with them because I had already been though a lot. I said I would work hard, he said I bet you will Willy. I told him thank you, and the main thing was to find my mom. He told me I don’t even know if she is in New York. I got really sad then; he told me I probably should stay as a boy for now.