Liberty's Kids 105 - The Midnight Ride

the truth will rise the world was making sure I never gave up you represent the American people how can I see it any other way today? the children of

liberty

the british are marching on lexington and concord by sea we have no time to lose lives the regulars come the regulars come the regulars come the regulars april 5, 1775 dear mother dr. Franklin insists that his newspaper is inciting patriotism among all the colonists, but I'm not so sure that there is no doubt that his political passions are running high here in the colonies but there are so many people with such different backgrounds It seems to me that no two colonies share the same interests Pennsylvania and Virginia are as different as France and Holland or so I have been taught, since for me I am proud of Remain firmly British It's me, you heard the voices too.

I think they are thieves or someone who disagrees with Dr. Franklin's newspaper. They are here to destroy the printing press. Come on, look who's going there. Do you see something good? Let's resume our business. You'll scare them, you'll make them stumble, run, we've got 'em, we've got 'em, Sarah, run and get Moses, oh no need to catch Moses, you've got him, Moses, but why sneak around? Maybe he is a traitor and a spy. He could have fooled us all along. don't be silly henry I'm sure Moses has a perfectly logical explanation oh my back oh of course I have a logical explanation I'm not a traitor I'm a mechanic you can fix a cart so mechanics are a secret group of Patriots concerned about how Britain is treating the colonies.

I thought they were the sons of

liberty

. That's another group. Its membership is reserved for men of commerce. We, the artisans, not having our own group, decided to form one, we call ourselves mechanics. I have never heard of them because these facts are not games there is great danger in simply knowing about these secret societies oh thanks to your enthusiastic defense of dr franklin's printing press my mission is in grave danger i was going to deliver this urgent message to dr joseph warren a colleague of samuel adams we have heard from our sources that the British army is moving from Boston to New York.

If settlers along the way think the British are attacking, they might react violently. We don't want that to happen and I can't warn Dr. Warren now. I'll take the letter to Boston. Moses. I am your man and who says that a woman cannot be part of this vital company. I'm sorry, Henry. I'm going to need you here to help me move. As for you two, Moses, this. the message must be delivered, you said it yourself, there is no alternative, you know I can do it, we can do it to have a better chance than one, that's true, but Moses, she's British, I may be British, but that's not It means I can.

I don't see both sides of the issue, it's violence and bloodshed, fear and hatred, it's settled, a ship leaves for Boston at dawn with emergency supplies, I was going to be on it now, you two will go in my place , there is no discussion for tonight, get something. rest I don't see why I have to rest I'm not going anywhere why so quiet after all these long days and nights at sea we're almost at Boston Harbor I'm worried I hope I'm not committing an act of betrayal What would my mother think ? We are saving lives. That's not treason.

Stay down and wait. There will be problems ahead. Hey? A British frigate if they catch us with contraband on board. Oh, they're shooting at us, don't worry, they're just warning us. The port is still closed, we'll lose them if we stay in shallow waters near the coast where they can't go, but we'll have to drop you off several miles south of Boston. I'm afraid you'll have to walk the rest of the way, thanks, bye, we have to get through that unless you grow wings and fly, don't be afraid, we're only two hours from Boston, yeah, that sucks, don't worry, the frogs here are probably too big to fit in your shoes, these wretches. insects two hours you said it has been four and they have been the longest hours of my life fortunately according to the maps the roads should be very far ahead look there it is oh my dress is ruined it will dry soon let's eat I'm someone hungry is coming we'd better let's hide who knows if your friend is full I see something on the floor there take a look sergeant yes sir bread and cheese fell here in the last few minutes I bet there isn't an ant in there I took a look but hurry up we must join the others in Boston tonight for tomorrow's trip to Lexington and Concord, there is nowhere else to hide, maybe there is someone on the road leading away from us, if so we will catch up to them shortly. close that was messy my clothes sarah the brits are not going to new york at all they are traveling to lexington and concord we have to tell dr. warren dear heaven dr warren yes yes there was an accident no accident sir that doesn't mean we looked This way by the way, let me get to the point sir, we come from Philadelphia with an urgent message from the mechanics, but what is even more important , wait, I don't know any mechanics who send messengers, what kind of mechanic, shoemaker wainwright, I can't talk to you.

Now wait, we are from the printing company. Oh, and the printer's wife, how is she? We both know that he is not married, sir, come in quickly, I must apologize for my interrogation, but with all the spies around one can never be too careful, well, you know. who am I, but I don't know who you are, other than that you come from dr. Franklin in Moses the Printer. Right, I'm Sarah Phillips, Mr. James Hiller, excuse our appearance, we've been at sea for almost two weeks and then walking through an endless swamp to get here you came from Philadelphia Moses said our message was urgent Wait, there are some gentlemen here you should listen to this James Hiller and Sarah Phillips Paul Revere and William Dawes Call me Billy, please.

I'm sure James and Sarah have brought us urgent news from Philadelphia. What we have seen outside the city is much more urgent. Sir Boston Harbor remains blocked and the British are on the move, but they are marching toward Lexington and Concord, not New York. confirms everything we know, tonight is the night yes, the rumors Moses heard about the British march on New York are completely false, the rumors we heard about the British groom are completely correct, the British are marching towards Lexington and Concord by sea , which means they will leave. after samuel adams and john hancock not to mention the gun and ammunition stores of the settlers no, if we get there first we have no time to waste the lies are at play warn all the volunteers here to conquer wake them up knock on all the doors yes necessary I will go by land across Boston Neck just after I put up the signal at North Church and tell everyone that the British are coming by sea.

I will cross the river and get a horse in Charlestown, it will be dangerous, but if one runs into trouble maybe the other will come out ahead we have to be part of this but James I am on the verge of betrayal you are already looking at it all wrong this is history in budding dr. Franklin needs us to watch otherwise who will ever know? what really happened tonight you are right we must tell the truth we would like to go with you yes to describe these events for Dr. Franklin's newspaper the whole world must find out about such momentous events hmm, they would be a good cover we will help you sound the alarm, I'm pretty alert, mr.

Dawes, but I can be loud, she can break glass all the time, okay, so come on, wait, I don't know if dr. franklin would accept me putting you two in danger. Mr. Dr. Franklin is right. The man Moses sent us here and Dr. Franklin is behind us. 100 from Philadelphia to Boston in just 13 days. I still find it almost impossible, with all due respect, sir. Almost impossible and impossible are two clearly different things and we need to cover this story and let people know what's going on so good luck and write well, tell the world about our brave guys and a

midnight

ride

to stop the spill of blood, I'm sorry to bother you, Mr.

Newman, but the British regulars are definitely on the move and are preparing the cross on the Charles River two. lanterns then yes just as we agreed one of my lands if by sea the whole city will be able to see them from the bell tower you hear that sounds like soldiers we don't have much time petticoats to cushion the oars great idea what a pity about the full moon, although I feel that there is a lantern above us shh, the sun has set, Paul, over here, very tall, reliable, as always, saw the lanterns, my father's horse, as promised, I hope it's fast, many races for me, watch out for the red . bellies, the roads are full of looks to the north, yeah, they're the regulars, wow, good eyes, girl, I think the British are crossing Cambridge, we ain't got no time to waste, what's up, the horsemen are coming, the british patrol, perfect place to stop for them, the regulars are in the march the regulars come the regulars come the regulars wake up wake up the regulars come the regulars come the regulars john hancock sam adams you are still welcome to the james clock house known for its peace and quiet sound the alarm oh people are sleeping here keep your nose down noise you will have enough noise in no time the regulars come help me wake up the house by calming down don't ruin it what's going on paul john sam the regulars are on the move they mean capture you two and all the men you can find, we'll gather our things and head to the buckman tavern to plan our escape.

James, how was your trip? Amazing, James, take care of the horses. I will help Mr. Revere. Mr. Revere's courage is incredible when I tell you. the story will be famous but yours is only half the story mr dawes has been doing the same thing in an equally amazing way i can only write what i witness and i have been with paul revere i too am a witness to great events from now on I'll be a journalist, I can't let people get all the news from James, Mr Dawes and I will be taking part in the competition, we'll understand if you don't want to come and miss out on a big story, of course Sarah might not want to stay. one possibility my horse is tired he's had a long night we've all had there's a writer coming venere dawes dr prescott the freedom fighter call me samuel i heard about your trip paul revere and thought i'd join you wait there let's split up look at you in cockhead my horse will never make it now he will leave they will not do anything to me i am a british subject you too are a brave girl if you stay i say go mister revere and good luck you are in my charge the others will get the message through you what is your revered name revered paul the famous passenger of the boston express what brings you tonight i see you have been riding hard alerting the countryside of our regiments heading this way i will not deny dismount mister sergeant take your horse mister revere if you try to flee or insult us he will pay the price he can do whatever he wants what are you two doing out here?

Shouldn't they be in bed leaving such treacherous activities to their elders? I have not committed any betrayal. I am a loyal British subject from a respectable English family. Ah, but, of course, forgive me for not recognizing you immediately, your honor. It was the muddy face and dirty hair that made me trick the sergeant and round up these urchins. I'll need someone to clean up after the horses hear a skirmish ahead, the sergeant prepares the men to engage, what about the prisoners sir, are they traitors? We will turn them over to civil authorities, but they will delay us, sir, you are right, sergeant. free them but keep the horse, it's cooler than ours yes sir, it's free i strongly suggest you go home don't let our patrols catch you on these roads again company go ahead come let us go where are we going back to to Lexington?

We have to help hancock and adam escape what story is this going to be yes and I plan to help write it thank you for your help you will be safe here in the end thank you for allowing us to accompany you everyone will know of your brave acts when my newspaper article was published. I must take these notes while tonight's events are fresh in my mind. I'll have something for you to include in your office. What is it? Your autobiography isn't just half the story you left out. The truth must be. They told me that I wish for a day when words fly across the sea at lightning speed and do not wait for these long, endless months at sea.

I care a lot about the colonies. I hope but fear that this tense situation will lead to confrontation and not compromise. I fear for my friends and my allies I fear for Moses without whom my life at home could not continue I fear for James Sarah and Henry The young people in my care This is no time to be dull and cheeky, but try telling that toyoung souls caught in the passion of the times in the end no man or woman can remain neutral the day of reckoning is coming nothing I can do will prevent it never give up you represent the American people