“Washington had not been long at the head of the army,” proceeded Grandfather, “before his soldiers thought as highly of him, as if he had led them to a hundred victories.  They knew that he was the very man whom the country needed, and the only one who could bring them safely through the great contest against the might of England.  They put entire confidence in his courage, wisdom, and integrity.”

“And were not they eager to follow him against the British?” asked Charley.

“Doubtless they would have gone whithersoever his sword pointed the way,” answered Grandfather; “and Washington was anxious to make a decisive assault upon the enemy.  But as the enterprise was very hazardous, he called a council of all the generals in the army.  Accordingly, they came from their different posts, and were ushered into the reception room.  The commander-in-chief arose from our great chair to greet them.”

“What were their names?” asked Charley.

“There was General Artemas Ward,” replied Grandfather, a “lawyer by profession.  He had commanded the troops before Washington’s arrival.  Another was General Charles Lee, who had been a colonel in the English army, and was thought to possess vast military science.  He came to the council, followed by two or three dogs, who were always at his heels.  There was General Putnam, too, who was known all over New England by the name of Old Put.”

“Was it he who killed the wolf?” inquired Charley.

“The same,” said Grandfather; “and he had done good service in the Old French War.  His occupation was that of a farmer; but he left his plough in the furrow, at the news of Lexington battle.  Then there was General Gates, who afterward gained great renown at Saratoga, and lost it again at Camden.  General Greene, of Rhode Island, was likewise at the council.  Washington soon discovered him to be one of the best officers in the army.”

When the Generals were all assembled, Washington consulted them about a plan for storming the English batteries.  But it was their unanimous opinion that so perilous an enterprise ought not to be attempted.  The army, therefore, continued to besiege Boston, preventing the enemy from obtaining supplies of provisions, but without taking any immediate measures to get possession of the town.  In this manner, the summer, autumn, and winter passed away.

“Many a night, doubtless,” said Grandfather, “after Washington had been all day on horseback, galloping from one post of the army to another, he used to sit in our great chair, wrapt in earnest thought.  Had you seen him, you might have supposed that his whole mind was fixed on the blue china tiles, which adorned the old fashioned fire-place.  But, in reality, he was meditating how to capture the British army, or drive it out of Boston.  Once, when there was a hard frost, he formed a scheme to cross the Charles River on the ice.  But the other Generals could not be persuaded that there was any prospect of success.”