weather proved pleasant, no accident befell any of them, and all
enjoyed very thoroughly their visit to Fishkill and its vicinity. They
visited the Verplanck House--interesting as having been the
headquarters of Baron Steuben when the American Army was encamped near
Newburgh, and also as the place where the celebrated Society of the
Cincinnati was organized in 1783.

"Won't you please tell us something about Baron Steuben, papa?" asked
Elsie Raymond as they were returning from their visit to the Verplanck
House.

"Yes," replied the captain. "He was a German soldier, born in
Magdeburg, Prussia. His full name was Frederick William Augustus Henry
Ferdinand von Steuben. His father was a captain in the army, and he
became a soldier when a mere lad. He saw and took part in a great deal
of fighting, and in 1762 was made aide to Frederick the Great. He took
part in the siege of Schweidnitz, and that closed his military career
in his own land. He retired from the army, and was living most
comfortably on a salary, while we were struggling for our freedom. In
December, 1777, he went to Paris, on his way to visit some English
noblemen who were friends of his. In Paris he met the French minister
of war, who seems to have been a good friend to America, for, knowing
that the great weakness of our army lay in the fact that the men
lacked discipline and knew little or nothing of military tactics, he
tried to persuade Steuben to come to this country and teach them.

"But very naturally the baron was not willing to sacrifice his income
and his honors in order to help a cause that seemed so desperate. Yet
at length he yielded to Germain's solicitation and promises, and
decided to come to the help of the struggling Colonies. He came over
on a French gunboat; having a long stormy passage of fifty-five days,
the vessel taking fire three times--a very hazardous thing, as there
were 1700 pounds of powder on board. Also there was an attempt to
mutiny. However, he finally arrived safely at Portsmouth, N. H. He had
a warm welcome there, the whole population going out to receive him."

"And did he go right into our army, papa?" asked Elsie.

"He wrote at once to Congress offering his services to the Colonies,
saying he had come to this country because he would serve a nation
engaged in the noble work of defending its rights and liberties,
adding that although he had given up an honorable title and lucrative
rank, he asked neither riches nor ho