have a most complicated problem. Naturally, there are
disagreements and factions. Congress may, for a time, be divided but the
army must stand as one man. This thing we call human liberty has become
for me a sublime personality. In times when I could see no light, she
has kept my heart from failing."

"She is like the goddess of old who fought in the battles of Agamemnon,"
said Jack. "Perhaps she is the angel of God who hath been given charge
concerning us. Perhaps she is traveling up and down the land and
overseas in our behalf."

Washington sat looking thoughtfully into the fire. In a moment he said:

"She is like a wise and beautiful mother assuring us that our sorrows
will end, by and by, and that we must keep on."

The General arose and went to his desk and returned with sealed letters
in his hand and said:

"Colonel, I have a task for you. I could give it to no man in whom I had
not the utmost confidence. You have earned a respite from the hardships
and perils of this army. Here is a purse and two letters. With them I
wish you to make your way to France as soon as possible and turn over the
letters to Franklin. The Doctor is much in need of help. Put your
services at his disposal. A ship will be leaving Boston on the
fourteenth. A good horse has been provided; your route is mapped. You
will need to start after the noon mess. For the first time in ten days
there will be fresh beef on the tables. Two hundred blankets have
arrived and more are coming. After they have eaten, give the men a
farewell talk and put them in good heart, if you can. We are going to
celebrate the winter's end which can not be long delayed. When you have
left the table, Hamilton will talk to the boys in his witty and inspiring
fashion."

Soon after one o'clock on the seventh of March, 1778, Colonel Irons bade
Solomon good-by and set out on his long journey. That night he slept in
a farmhouse some fifty miles from Valley Forge.

Next morning this brief note was written to his mother:

"I am on my way to France, leaving mother and father and sister and
brother and friend, as the Lord has commanded, to follow Him, I verily
believe. Yesterday the thought came to me that this thing we call the
love of Liberty which is in the heart of every man and woman of us,
urging that we stop at no sacrifice of blood and treasure, is as truly
the angel of God as he that stood with Peter in the prison house. Last
night I saw Libe