“NO!” shouted Gabriel, as Nathaniel began to grab his arm to lead him to his horse. “I know about the codfish you said you caught out in the bay when you were a boy!” Nathaniel stopped tugging on his arm, and all three men stood silent.
“You went out on a rowboat with Ben,” he continued desperately, “and you told everyone how you caught an enormous thirty-pound codfish with line and bait. It was all you could do to reel it into your boat, you said. But I know the truth: the crazy fish just jumped into your boat. Ben Daniels told me that story about you. He told me when I met him at the King’s Bridge Tavern. He said you would want proof of who I was and the story about the codfish ought to do.”
Nathaniel let go of Gabriel’s arm. Gabriel knew his future was at the complete mercy of Nathaniel Greene. It would certainly be easy enough for him to pretend Gabriel’s story was nothing but nonsense, especially since the commanding General of the Continental Army was standing right next to him. All he would have to say is that he didn’t know what Gabriel was talking about. The others would certainly believe him over Gabriel.
General Washington looked at Nathaniel and then at Gabriel. “Well,” Washington said, “I guess that leaves nothing to doubt . . . a thirty-pound codfish just jumping into someone’s boat? I’ve never heard of such a crazy and outlandish tale. And to think I half believed you’d walked all the way from New York. If it had been true, who knows, I might have asked you to stay. But . . . a thirty-pound codfish jumping into a boat? Well . . .” Washington’s voice was trailing off to laughter. He turned now and grabbed Gabriel’s arm to lead him off to the nearby horses. Gabriel tried to drag his feet, but it was no use.
They took several steps toward the horses when, all of the sudden, Gabriel heard Nathaniel say, “STOP!”
Washington and Artemas turned back around and looked at Nathaniel, who had not joined them in making their way to the horses. “It’s true,” said Nathaniel softly. “What Gabriel said is true. A huge codfish did jump into my boat when I was out fishing with my cousin Ben. I must have been about Gabriel’s age when it happened. I went back and told everyone I caught it on my line. Ben knew the truth, but I asked him not to say anything. He didn’t, at least not until he told our young master Gabriel at the King’s Bridge Tavern on his way from New York to Boston.” Nathaniel was now smiling at Gabriel. He reached out a hand and grabbed Gabriel’s shoulder. He gave it a shake and then drew him near.
Washington and Artemas stood in stunned silence. “You mean a thirty-pound codfish just jumped into your boat?” asked Artemas, chuckling.
“Yes, a thirty-pound codfish did just jump into our boat,” replied Nathaniel, emphatically.
“And you just told everyone you caught it?” asked Artemas again.
“YES!” responded Nathaniel. “It was a lie, and I know it. Ben and I didn’t think anyone would believe the fish just jumped into our boat, so we figured one of us might as well get credit for it. It was the biggest codfish catch on line and bait in my hometown, at least so everyone thought.”
“Well, Mr. Greene, that is quite a story,” said Washington, chuckling now. “And to think I would have never heard of an enormous codfish jumping into a boat if it hadn’t been for Gabriel here.” Washington said, raising an eyebrow to Nathaniel. “Gabriel, I think we owe you an apology. I would certainly like to hear more about your journey from New York, but first, I would like us all to ride back to headquarters in Cambridge. Hop onto my horse. You’ll have to sit behind me.”
Gabriel was speechless. He simply sprang up onto Washington’s stunning white horse and waited for the others to mount.
As he sat there, Thomas Tew’s treasure returned to his mind. He could see shadowy outlines of the great trees lining the banks of the river. One of them might have held the treasure, but he had found something more precious than gold or silver. He had found Nathaniel Greene and General Washington, and soon, he’d be with the militia in Cambridge. It was strange how he’d been seeking one treasure but found another. His mother always told him the best treasures in life are the ones that find you. She was right.
As they rode away from the river, Gabriel put the thought of Thomas Tew’s treasure out of his mind — a treasure that was meant to be found by someone else. He’d found his own treasure — or rather, the treasure had found him.
H 19 H
CAMP AT
CAMBRIDGE
Gabriel could hardly believe he was riding on the back of the commanding general’s horse. He could tell there was something different about the man, so tall he towered over Nathaniel Greene and Artemas Greenwood. Still, Gabriel didn’t know what this man had done to earn the position of commanding general over all of the militias. He had also never heard the militia called the Continental Army before. He knew a Continental Congress had met to decide what the Colonies should do about King George, but he was unsure how this Continental Army had been formed.
These questions rattled around inside his head as they rode through the night. The stars were shining brightly, and Washington, leading the way, seemed to know exactly where he was going. It amazed Gabriel how much faster
