Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans (13 page)

I couldn’t tell if Liberty was close by or not. I looked at Tommy and then back at the principal and said, “I’m confident that Tommy learned a valuable lesson today.”

“Oh, really?” questioned Principal Sherman. “Forgive my suspicion, but I’ve had other experiences with Tommy that
have created a different belief. In fact, I’ll even place a wager, a whole quarter for each item of history learned.” He towered over Tommy like a monstrous wave threatening the
Mayflower.
“Anything, Tommy? Any tiny piece of information that might have slipped through to that brain of yours?”

“Hmm,” Tommy replied. He glanced at me and I recognized that look. It was almost imperceptible, but I could see it. It’s the same look that someone gives when playing chess just before saying “Checkmate.”

“All I can say is Mr. Revere really knows his history,” said Tommy. “You wouldn’t believe all the stuff he had me do, I mean, learn. We started clear back in 1620 when the Pilgrims sailed from England to America. Did you know their voyage on the
Mayflower
took sixty-five days and more than three thousand miles? Almost everyone was seasick except for the sailors, who bullied the Pilgrims and teased them by calling them Puritans or Saints, but they were actually only half of the passengers. The other half were called Strangers, who were furious about not landing at the Hudson River and there was almost a mutiny but William Bradford saved the day with the Mayflower Compact that everyone signed which basically meant that they would stick together no matter what. Would you like me to go on?”

Principal Sherman’s eyes were bulging. He was about to say something when the outside door at the end of the hallway opened; then a couple of seconds later it closed.

“Well, that’s odd,” I said, relieved that Liberty had gone undetected.

Tommy held out his hand to the principal and said, “That will be two dollars and seventy-five cents. Cash only, please.”

The principal gave Tommy a half grin as he reached for his
wallet. “Impressive,” the principal said, handing Tommy the money. “But I’m not falling for it. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Tommy, but I’m on to you. Mr. Revere, if I were you I’d put eyes in the back of my head.” And with that, the principal turned and lumbered down the hallway toward his office.

I smiled at Tommy. “Well said. Now, let’s get you to your football practice.”

We walked outside and saw Liberty waiting for us in the parking lot. We hurried over to him and climbed on. “Lead the way,” I said. As Tommy guided Liberty to the football stadium I said, “Try and meet me and Liberty tomorrow before school. Come a half hour early and call or text Freedom to come as well. If you’re up to it, we’ll continue our journey with the Pilgrims.”

“You bet! I haven’t been this excited since Christmas morning,” Tommy exclaimed.

Liberty laughed and said, “Except instead of opening Christmas presents, you’ll be opening history!”

“You’re right,” Tommy said. “Who knew history could be so exciting!”

*   *   *

The next morning, Tommy and Freedom were waiting at the school by the time I showed up. “Good morning,” I said cheerfully, dismounting from Liberty.

“Hi, Mr. Revere,” said Tommy and Freedom.

“Tommy just told me about your journey yesterday. Well, most of it,” said Freedom. She was wearing a faded yellow T-shirt and faded jeans. It was hard not to look at her black hair. It was silky smooth, as if she brushed it a thousand times. This morning there was a yellow feather clipped in it. “I’m excited
to go with you today. I assume we’ll be back before school starts.”

“That’s correct,” I said. “After we’re finished in the past we can time-jump back to the future, which, of course, is actually the present. In fact, we can only return within seconds of when we left. And we’re unable to time-jump into the future.”

Freedom pondered for a second and said, “So, Liberty can jump to America’s past and return to our present but not its future.”

“Correct,” I said. “We’ve tried to jump to the future but the portal won’t open unless we say the right words.
Rush, rush, rushing to history
has proven to be the most effective phrase.”

Tommy said, “I told Freedom that today we’re going to join the Pilgrims in America.”

“First things first,” I said. I pulled off my traveling bag from my shoulder and handed it to Tommy. “Your pilgrim clothes are inside. There’s a dress for you, too, Freedom.”

“It’s a lot bulkier than yesterday,” Tommy said.

“That’s because you’ll need some heavier clothing to help keep you warm. Liberty and I had to time-jump to the seventeenth century this morning to collect these.”

“Is it supposed to be really cold? I’m a wimp when it comes to the snow,” said Freedom.

“Yes, we’ll probably experience freezing temperatures. We’re heading back to the Pilgrims’ first winter. Keep in mind that the Pilgrims landed in the New World and started building their first colony, Plymouth Plantation, in November.”

“Anything else we should know before we go?” Tommy asked.

“If you get hungry I brought some additional snacks,” I said. “This morning, Liberty ate enough for two horses.”

Liberty snorted and said, “It’s a well-known fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Liberty paused for just a second and added, “Thank you, Freedom.”

“Why are you thanking her? She didn’t say anything,” said Tommy.

“Yes, she did. She said that she supports my hearty appetite,” Liberty replied.

“No, she didn’t. I’ve been standing right here,” Tommy argued.

I intervened. “It’s apparent that Freedom has a gift. How long have you been able to communicate with animals?”

“Since I was about eight, I think,” said Freedom. “My grandfather says that animals can feel what we feel, especially fear. Our emotions are powerful. He trained me to use emotions to speak to the mind of an animal.”

“So, you’re like a horse whisperer,” Tommy said, smiling at her. “I’m good with that.”

“Very well,” I said, “run inside the school and change your clothes. Liberty and I will wait here.”

Tommy and Freedom rushed inside the school and within a few minutes they were back outside dressed like Pilgrims.

“How do I look?” asked Freedom, spinning once in her green woolen dress. She also wore a white linen cap that came down over her ears, and a white apron. Finally, she wore a purple woolen shawl that covered her shoulders and hung down to her waist.

“Marvelous,” Liberty said.

“I believe we’re ready to go,” I said.

“Will we join the Pilgrims right before they set foot on Cape Cod? Is that where Plymouth Rock is?” Tommy asked.

“Actually, no,” I replied. “Plymouth Rock wasn’t the first place
the Pilgrims found. First,
Mayflower
anchored off the coast of Cape Cod at what is now Provincetown Harbor on November 11. It was so cold that a small search party left the
Mayflower.
They needed to first find a good place to build their town before everyone left the ship.”

“Ugh, you keep mentioning the cold,” Freedom sighed.

“I bet Myles Standish was part of the search party,” said Tommy.

“Yes, he was. And so was William Bradford. In fact, William’s journal said there were sixteen men who wore light armor and all carried swords and muskets. Can you imagine landing in a place you have never been to with nothing around that you recognize in the cold, cold months of winter?”

“Again, do you have to keep mentioning the cold?” Freedom said. She looked around nervously. “Anyway, I think we should leave sooner than later. The other students will start arriving soon and I’d rather not call attention to myself.”

“Good point,” Tommy said, scratching Liberty behind the ear. “Let’s go. Are we going to land with the search party?”

“No,” I said. “It took the search party several trips and many days of hiking in freezing temperatures. They searched all over Cape Cod and were even attacked by Indians.”

“Seriously? You had to say
freezing temperatures.
Why don’t we suck on ice cubes before we go,” Freedom said. “We really don’t have time for this conversation.” Freedom searched left and right while fidgeting with her apron. “The school bus may have already arrived at the front of the school.”

“Wait,” Tommy said wide-eyed. “Did you say they were attacked by Indians? I thought the Indians were their friends. How many Pilgrims died?”

“Remarkably, none,” I said. “The friendly Indians came later.”

“I hope they had friendly horses, too,” said Liberty.

“Not to make you suffer,” I said to Freedom, “but I only mention the cold, freezing temperature because it may have been the biggest test for the Pilgrims. Think about it. How do you feel when you’re freezing? And how would you survive with little food, few clothes, and really no idea where to go? These people were incredible! They had such a will to survive and thrive. Have you ever wanted something so badly you would work and fight and crawl to get it, even if you had to go through things that weren’t very fun?”

“Oh, you mean like a house of mirrors?” Liberty asked.

We looked at Liberty in complete confusion.

“You know,” he clarified, “the mirrors in the fun house at the carnival. Some people think it’s fun to stand in front of them and see their bodies all warped and freakish, but I think it’s terrifying. Except I had to do it! I had to go past those mirrors. It was the only way to get to the caramel apples!”

I sighed.

“That was very brave of you, Liberty,” said Freedom, patting his side. “Now can we go?”

I finished by saying, “Finally, on December twentieth the Pilgrims settled on the location of their future home, which became Plymouth Plantation.”

“Whoa,” Tommy said, quickly doing the math in his head. “That means they searched for thirty-four days from the time they landed on Cape Cod to the time they started Plymouth Plantation. They must have been exhausted!”

“And
very
cold,” I said.

“And
very
hungry,” said Liberty.

“And I’m
very
ready to go,” said Freedom.

“And I’m
very
embarrassed for all of you,” said a voice from behind Freedom.

We all turned to face Elizabeth, who was already waiting with her smartphone. “Click.”

Freedom looked mortified.

Elizabeth smiled and laughed. She was wearing a preppy blue and yellow checkered skirt and vest with a bright yellow bow in her hair. In one hand she was carrying a plate of pink frosted cupcakes. “I’m so glad I got to school a little early today,” she said. “I’m bringing my favorite teachers a special treat.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth,” I said. “That’s very kind of you.”

Elizabeth gave me a fake frown, “Oh, I’m sorry, I said my
favorite
teachers. Not substitute teachers. My grade doesn’t depend on you.”

“Don’t dis Mr. Revere,” Tommy said. “He’s an awesome teacher. And I better not see that picture on Facebook. I know where your locker is.”

“No worries, Tommy,” said Elizabeth. “I wasn’t aiming for you. But I did get a great close-up of our poor little Pilgrim girl. And I really like your locker idea. We could post the picture on every locker! You know, in celebration of the Pilgrims.”

Freedom sprang forward and tried to grab the phone. “Give me that,” she said, as Elizabeth tried to back away.

Elizabeth pushed and Freedom pulled. Elizabeth may have been taller but she had a difficult time struggling with her phone in one hand and a plate of pink pastries in the other. As the two girls twisted and turned, I tried to step in to break things up. But
before I could reach either of them Elizabeth’s phone flipped up and away from her. As Freedom swung her arm up to catch the phone, she knocked the plate of cupcakes into Elizabeth’s face.

“You imbecile!” screamed Elizabeth, wiping pink frosting off her forehead and cheeks. “Look what you’ve done!”

“I-I didn’t mean to,” Freedom stuttered.

Elizabeth frantically searched the ground. She squinted through the frosting until she spotted what she was looking for lying in the grass under Liberty. “My phone! Your freakish donkey better not step on it or—”

Crunch.

“Oops,” said Liberty. He lifted his hoof but the phone was definitely crushed.

“You are in big trouble,” Elizabeth huffed. “I’m telling Daddy.” She spun around and stormed back the way she came.

“Now can we go?” asked Freedom. “Before her daddy comes looking for us. Her name is Sherman,” Freedom said. “Elizabeth Sherman.”

“Elizabeth Sherman?” I inquired. “As in Principal Sherman’s daughter?”

“Yep, the very same,” said Freedom.

Tommy walked over and picked up a cupcake from the ground. “This one doesn’t look like it’s been touched,” he said, examining the edges. He peeled back the paper and took a big bite. “Izz weely ood,” he said.

“Did he just say,
This wheel is hood
? Is that code for something?”

“Yes,” Freedom said, “it means let’s get out of here. I hear the bus!”