Lafayette found it very hard to get away, for his family was one of
influence. His relatives and also the men in power were very angry when he
made known his purpose, and they tried to prevent his going.

[Illustration: Lafayette Offering His Services to Franklin.]

But he bought a ship with his own money and loaded it with army supplies.
Then, disguising himself as a postboy, he arrived at the coast without
being found out.

After a long, tiresome voyage he reached the United States and went to
Philadelphia.

There Congress gave him the rank of major-general, but in accepting it
Lafayette asked that he might serve without pay.

A warm friendship at once sprang up between Washington and the young
Frenchman, and a feeling of confidence as between father and son. The
older man made the young major-general a member of his military family,
and Lafayette was always proud to serve his chief. He spent his money
freely and risked his life to help the cause of American liberty. We can
never forget his unselfish service.

At the close of the year 1777 Washington took his army to a strong
position among the hills at Valley Forge, about twenty miles northwest of
Philadelphia, there to spend the winter.

It was a period of intense suffering. Sometimes the soldiers went for days
without bread. "For some days past," wrote Washington, "there has been
little less than famine in the camp." Most of the soldiers were in rags,
only a few had bed clothing. Many had to sit by the fire all night to keep
warm, and some of the sick soldiers were without beds or even loose straw
to lie upon. Nearly three thousand of the men were barefoot in this severe
winter weather, and many had frozen feet because of the lack of shoes. It
makes one heart-sick to read about what these brave men passed through
during that wretched winter.

Yet, in spite of bitter trials and distressing times, Washington never
lost faith that in the end the American cause would triumph. A beautiful
story is told showing the faith of this courageous man while in the midst
of these pitiful scenes at Valley Forge.

[Illustration: Winter at Valley Forge.]

One day, when "Friend Potts," a good Quaker farmer, was near the camp, he
saw Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears, praying for help
and guidance. When the farmer returned to his home, he said to his wife:
"George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The
Americans will secure their indep