“We are not so provided but we must be patient,” said Washington.  “Our people mean well, they are as yet unorganized.  This matter of being citizens of an independent nation at war is new to them.  The men who are trying to establish a government while they are defending it against a powerful enemy 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 Liberty in my dreams—­a beautiful woman she was, of heroic stature with streaming hair and the glowing eyes of youth and she was dressed in a long white robe held at the waist by a golden girdle.  And I thought that she touched my brow and said: