Page:Lives of the presidents in words of one syllable (1903).djvu/20

 Free born men did not like it. They said they would no more stand it.

One Sun-day some ships with tea on board came up the bay at Bos-ton. A man stood up in church and told all there that if they would be free, and give up the King, that was the time to strike the blow. Then they went to the ships and threw the tea all in the sea. Then the King sent word that no more goods should be sent to Bos-ton. This was mean, and the folks then knew that they had got to fight.

In the spring of 1775 came the first fight at Lex-ing-ton. Brave things were done and men made good work for the Cause so near their hearts. They found that they could stand their ground, though the Brit-ish troops had had years in which to learn the art of war.

The cry of "To arms! To arms!" was in the land.

Then came the strife on Bun-ker Hill, where Pres-cott, Put-nam and more he-roes did acts and made names that will live.

While there were brave men to fight, still one to lead them must be found. At Phil-a-del-phia, May 10, 1775, wise heads chose Wash-ing-ton as chief of all the troops, for he was known to be the man for the times.

On July 3, 1775, Wash-ing-ton took com-mand of the "A-mer-i-can Ar-my." The place where he stood is still dear to all in this land. It was on the same place, "Cam-bridge Com-mon, Mass.," where those men met to pray and ask God to bless them and their plan ere they made their start to be free.

The raw troops which Wash-ing-ton found were full of fire, zeal and love for their land, but they had need of one