Lafayette

ays in

they are all alike. Nothing but sky and nothing

ad thus far been spent, after a sharp affliction of seasickness, in studying books

rite to Adrienne a fifteen-hundred-word letter whi

ore dreadful uncertainty of the time when I shall hear from you again. I hope, however, that it is not far distant, for,

ard again and again. "Henriette is so delightful that s

de Maury (who rode out of Bordeaux as a grand gentleman while the disguised Lafayette went before as courier), there was Major de Gimat, first aid-de-camp to Lafayette and always his special favorite, who gave up his horse to his young commander, thereby saving his life at the battle of Brandywine, and who was wounded in an attack on a redoubt at Yorktown. Then there was Captain de la Colombe who, after the close

with the bewitchment of that beautiful word "liberty," were among the motives that inspired their actions. They went into the military se

d whether he had been right or not. He actually went on foot to Marseilles and from there sailed as cabin-boy to Greece, Alexandria, and Constantinople. There a French ambassador caught the young investigator and sent him home! Before h

he Revolution were in the early twenties. There were a few seasoned old warriors, of course, but the

hey be attacked, he resolved to blow up the ship rather than surrender. When they had gone some forty leagues, they met a small ship. The captain turned pale; but the crew were

vidently turning southward toward the West Indies, this being the sea-crossing lane at that time. Lafayette soon found out that the captain had smuggled aboard a cargo which he intended to se

sailing for several days along the shore, Lafayette met with an extraordinary piece of good fortune. A sudden gale

er with seven men to row. Night came on as they were making toward a light they saw on shore. At last a voice called out to them. They answered, telling who they were and asking for a night's shelter. They were cordially invited to come ashore and into a house, where they were received with great hospitality by the

meet him on his arrival in this country had in its circle a small child who, when he grew up, was to take upon himself the dan

the long journey to Philadelphia, where Congress was in se

a squire. The Baron de Kalb occupied the carriage with Lafayette. Two colonels, Lafayette's counselors, rode in a second carriage; the third was for the aids, the fourth for the luggage, and the rear was brought up by a negro on horseback. By the time they had traveled four days, the bad roads had reduced the carriages to sp

the bright prospects of the reception they would surely have when they reached Philadelphia. All were animated by the same spirit,

demanded high rank in the American army. The Committee of Foreign Affairs, being practical men of business, looked askance at men who traveled three thousand miles to help an unknown people; they did

irit in critical moments came to his rescue. He determined to

two favors at your hands; one is that I may serve without pay, at my own exp

lory. And by this time they had received an informing letter from Silas Deane; so they hastened to pass a resolution (on July 31, 1777) accepting Lafayette's se

s he said in his answer to Congress, the feelings of his heart had engaged him; a cause whose import concerned the honor, virtue, and universal happiness of mankind, as we

e might be placed as near to General Washin

ious and amiable smile. He observed that the General was affable in manner and that he conversed with his officers familiarly and gayly. General Washington, with his customary prudence, looked closely at the nineteen-year-old volunteer, and wondered whether the stuff was to be found in that slight figure and intent gaze that would make a helper of value to the colonies, one whose judgment and loyalty could be relied upon. It must be that his decision w

assailing mosquitoes at night and the many difficulties he had to