sacrifices I have made, I have the right to exact two favors; one is,
to serve at my own expense, the other, to serve as a volunteer."

These manly words and the striking appearance of the young Frenchman,
together with letters from Benjamin Franklin, had their effect. His
services were accepted, and he was made a major general.

For seven years Lafayette served Washington as an aid and a personal
friend. His deep sympathy, his generous conduct, and his gracious
ways won all hearts, from the stately Washington to the humblest
soldier. Personal bravery on the battlefield at once gained fame for
him as a soldier, and made him one of the heroes of the hour. His
example worked wonders in getting the best young men of the country
to enlist in the army.

During the fearful winter at Valley Forge, the young nobleman
suddenly changed his manner of living. Used to ease and personal
comforts, he became even more frugal and self-denying than the
half-starved and half-frozen soldiers. How different it must have
been from the gayeties and the luxuries of the French court of the
winter before!

The battle of Monmouth was fought on a hot Sunday in June, 1778. From
four o'clock in the morning until {201} dusk, Lafayette fought like a
hero. Late at night, when the battle was over, he and Washington lay
upon the same cloak, under a tree, and talked over the strange events
of the day until they fell asleep.

After the battle of Monmouth, Lafayette went back to France to visit
his family, and to plead the cause of his adopted country. He was
kindly received at court.

"Tell us all the good news about our dearly-beloved Americans,"
begged the queen.

To the king, Lafayette spoke plainly: "The money that you spend,
Sire, on one of your court balls would go far towards sending an army
to the colonies in America, and dealing England a blow where she
would most feel it."

In the spring of 1780, Lafayette returned to America with the French
king's pledge of help.

At the close of the Revolution, the gallant young marquis went back
to France, the hero of his nation, but {202} his interest in America
never grew less. When the treaty of peace was signed at Paris, he
hired a vessel and hurried it across the ocean, with the good news.

In 1784, the year after peace was declared, Lafayette visited this
country for the third time. He made Washington a long visit at Mount
Vernon, went over the old battlefields, and met his old comrades.