he
guardhouse and returned to the British lines, where he continued his
valuable service for the American cause.

Washington, with the information that Honeyman had brought him, was able
to lay his plans intelligently and carefully.

Just after dusk has fallen on Christmas night, Washington orders his
troops to the shore of the river. Snow is falling and the wind is
howling, as Washington and Knox stand together near the boat
landing--(_wind and murmur of crowd with occasional sharp commands in
background through this scene._)

WASHINGTON

This weather ought to help us, Knox.

KNOX

Brrr--it's cold enough to keep the Hessians indoors--if that's what you
mean, General.

WASHINGTON

The snow will cover our movements.

KNOX

Yes--in more ways than one, General.

VOICE (_off_)

First brigade is formed, sir.

WASHINGTON

Very good. (_lower_) Order embarkation to begin, Knox.

KNOX

Artillery first, sir?

WASHINGTON

No, a company of foot soldiers first to stand guard and protect the
landing.

KNOX

Yes, sir. (_calling_) General Green!

VOICE (_off_)

Yes, sir.

KNOX

Send one of your companies across first to stand guard and protect the
landing.

VOICE

Very good, sir. Company A, into the boats! (_orders and mob confusion_)

KNOX

The river looks bad, sir. See all the ice? It looks wicked!

WASHINGTON

Ice! Hm--I hadn't foreseen this.

VOICE (_calling_)

General Knox!

KNOX

What is it?

VOICE

The boatmen say they can't make it, sir.

WASHINGTON

Can't make it? But they've got to!

VOICE

Sorry sir, they say the floating ice--

WASHINGTON

Call Colonel Glover, Knox!

KNOX (_calling_)

Glover! Colonel Glover! Pass the word for Colonel Glover. (_order
repeated several times at different distances_)

WASHINGTON

We've got to get across, Knox, we've got to! If this attempt fails,
there's nothing left for us! Nothing!

KNOX

We'll get across, sir, if we have to swim.

GLOVER (_coming in_)

Colonel Glover reports, sir.

WASHINGTON

Colonel Glover, can your regiment of seafaring men handle our boats in
that river?

GLOVER

General Washington, my men can handle boats in any water!

WASHINGTON

The boatmen say they can't cross because of the floating ice.

GLOVER

Sir, my men are _sea_ sailors, not river boatmen--it takes more than ice
to scare them off!

WASHINGTON

Good! Put some of them in every boat.

GLOVER

Yes, sir.

WASHING