But it was not only women who prayed in those terrible days at Valley Forge. The cold and suffering increased. One day Friend Potts was walking by the creek not far from his house, when he heard a solemn voice speaking. He went quietly in its direction, and saw Washington’s horse without a rider tied to a sapling. He stole nearer, and saw Washington himself, kneeling in a thicket. He was on his knees in prayer to God asking Him for help. Tears were on Washington’s cheeks. And quietly the Friend stole away. On entering his house, he burst out weeping. When his wife asked him what was the matter, he said:-- “If there is any one on this earth whom the Lord will listen to, it is George Washington. And I feel a presentiment that under such a Commander there can be no doubt of our eventually establishing our Independence, and that God in His providence has willed it so.” _Benson J. Lossing_ (_Arranged_) FRIEND GREENE _At Eutaw Springs the valiant died; Their limbs with dust are covered o’er. Weep on, ye springs, your tearful tide; How many heroes are no more!_ * * * * * _Led by thy conquering genius, Greene, The Britons they compelled to fly; None distant viewed the fatal plain, None grieved, in such a cause to die._ _From Eutaw Springs, by_ PHILIP FRENEAU It was at the Siege of Boston. The troops of the Colonies were raw and uncouth. They were camping separately. Washington was inspecting their camps for the first time. He saw that their shelters were made of anything the soldiers could lay hands on, turf, bricks, sail-cloth, boards, or brushwood. Each soldier seemed to live and do as he pleased. But when Washington reached the camp of the Rhode Island troops, he perceived neat tents pitched, soldiers well drilled and equipped, and under perfect discipline. He was pausing to look around him with pleasure and approval, when a young officer, vigorous and finely built, stepped forward to greet him, his frank manly face beaming with a cordial welcome. The young man was Nathanael Greene, Commander of the Rhode Island troops. It was he who had trained them, after studying the manœuvres of the British troops in Boston. Nathanael Greene was born a Friend or Quaker. When a boy, he worked in his father’s forge, and helped on the farm. He was eager to read. He got together a little library of his own. He studied hard. He liked best to read about military heroes. When he grew older, although he was a Friend, he joined the Rhode Island militia. Later he was appointed Rhode Island’s Commander, and led her troops to Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston. Washington liked and trusted him at first sight. Later his confidence became friendship.