George Washington's Socks

“‘Cold,’ Q replied. ‘Really, really cold. They crossed the river at night, in the middle of rain and ice and snow. They must have been freezing.’”

Q answers Matt at the campout meeting about conditions faced by the Continental Army on the night they crossed the Delaware River. His description serves to remind readers of historical details. It also foreshadows the misery Q, Matt, and the others will soon experience when they find themselves in 1775.

“And not just any hike, but a night hike along the lake. To get there all they had to do was follow the path through Tony’s woods.”

Matt talks his friends into a real adventure—one that none of their parents permitted. The ease of the short path through familiar territory should have ensured that nothing would go wrong, or so Matt thought. In the woods, the sense of ease is gone, replaced with suspense.

“And he was smiling, smiling like he’d never smiled before.”

Tony tells Matt, Q, and Hooter the strange tale of Adam Hibbs, who disappeared on a campout with Tony’s grandfather years before. The creepy image of Adam smiling while ignoring his friend’s calls contributes to the suspense. His word choice proves that Tony has a bit of talent for dramatic storytelling. Later, the boys will learn that Hibbs created a new life for himself in the past.

“And floating on the silvery ripples of its surface was a boat. An empty old rowboat! Matt and the rest of the boys stood transfixed, watching as the breeze picked up and gently sent the lonely craft on its course to shore.”

This description of the first sighting of the time travel boat evokes a mood of looming danger. Though Katie is dangerously close to the rowboat, none of the boys can communicate with her, as they are each in a trance-like state. The boat moves on the wind as if powered by an unseen force.

“All that remained was the gentlest hint of a wave.”

In this moment after Matt, his friends, and Katie disappear, the calm surface of the lake belies the fact that a boat was there at all. The shift to omniscient point of view suggests that Matt and his friends are in a distant, unknown place. The imagery and tone of the phrase “gentlest hint of a wave” juxtaposes the violently rushing river of the next chapter’s opening scene.

“Everyone, down to the last man, was holding on for dear life. The only lady on board, however, had other ideas.”

In the disorientation that follows the time travel, Matt and the other boys hang on to the boat, but Katie gets to her feet undaunted. This action indirectly characterizes Katie as bold and reckless. The use of “man” and “lady” are ironic word choices for four fearful boys and a headstrong seven-year-old girl.

“Then out of the darkness a deep voice commanded, ‘Halt, in the name of the Continental Army!’”

The words spoken in this authoritative voice exacerbate the boys’ confusion. It is the first significant clue about their new setting, but they can’t understand the words.

“With one hand he held his musket and with the other he rubbed the frozen toes that stuck out of the bloody cloth wrapped around his foot. He was staring at Matt’s sneakers.”

The 20th century footwear Matt sports may mystify this soldier, or he may simply be envious of shoes that provide a little protection from the elements. Matt thinks of how cold he is—only to remember that he is better off than many of the soldiers. This motif will repeat when Israel later wants to trade his shirt for Matt’s sneaker.

“He had imagined himself fighting alongside them, strong and courageous, charging the enemy line.”

Matt reflects on his earlier attitude toward the Revolutionary War. Coupled with his active imagination, the information learned for a school report supported a vision in Matt’s head of the war as clean, heroic, and proud. Now he sees the truth—poorly outfitted soldiers and terrible conditions. This realization is key to Matt’s character development.

“[I]f that’s the same Adam Hibbs, what’s he still doing here?”

When an officer calls Adam Hibbs by name, Q and Matt recognize it from Tony’s grandfather’s story. Q makes the alarming connection: Adam Hibbs came to this past and was never able to leave. It is fitting that Q makes and speaks this realization first in the group, as he is the quickest thinker and the “brain” of the club.

“Aye, now, don’t you look the rebel terror?”

A captain who smells of alcohol obliges Matt to stay with the regiment after Matt brings the cape for General Washington. He speaks these sarcastic words after forcing Matt to take up a musket. This man will later return to the narrative, and Matt will learn he is Captain McCowly. McCowly develops the theme of Duty and Responsibility by providing a negative example.

“I would offer a trade for one of those snakers.”

Israel Gates, after meeting Matt and exchanging introductions, offers a trade of his warm shirt for one of Matt’s shoes. Israel first misunderstands Matt’s use of “Reeboks” as “redcoats” and hears “sneakers” as “snakers” in examples of the communication barrier motif. Matt gives Israel the “snaker” without accepting anything in return, demonstrating an empathy for his new friend that echoes his reaction in the rescue boat to the first young soldier with the frozen toes.

“Would that we had a small beer to wash it down with, now there would be a feast.”

Israel speaks longingly of a beverage to go with the bites of roasted pigeon he and Matt eat. Matt cannot help but think of a modern day “feast” of a burger and fries, but he outwardly accepts the strange food. Israel’s word choice and syntax characterize his dialect.

“You remind me of my brother Simon: bright eyes and a thick head!”

Israel speaks in jest to Matt, but there may be a semblance of seriousness in his words. Israel clarifies to Matt that he (Israel) did not enlist for patriotism or adventure, but out of necessity. Matt assumed soldiers of the Revolution served out of duty to their country and families, but Israel teaches him that it isn’t always so simple. Israel’s sense of duty to his sister mirrors Matt’s sense of duty to Katy.

“My lieutenant was right vexed with me for spending my last pistoreens on pretties.”

Israel shows an extravagantly optimistic—even foolish—side to his character with these words. We have already seen the bad results of his lack of proper footwear, but he smiles with the thought of giving the “pretties” to Abby, showing joy in his selfless decision to buy beads instead of shoes. The vocabulary flavors the story with dialect and speaks to the youth of the character.

“I could spend that much in six minutes at the mall!”

Matt thinks about the relative worth of Israel’s meager pay, comparing 1775 to his own time. He reacts indignantly, realizing how little compensation the Continental soldiers receive for risking their lives. Again, this change in perspective develops his character.

“They’re sent straight from hell […] They wear their hair down to their waists like barbarians and they take no quarters.”

New acquaintance Henry Schudder depicts the Hessians to Matt and Israel. This indirect characterization of merciless enemies begins a series of suspense-building moments, with Hessians looming always ahead in the pages of the story. Ironically, however, the Hessian Gustav proves to be quite human, developing the theme of Empathy for the “Other.”

“He told Israel all about himself and his life in the future. Israel seemed to be going in and out of consciousness as Matt rattled on about dirt bikes, VCR’s, and pizza.”

Matt talks on through the bitter cold as Israel’s life fades. Ironically, Matt tells his friend the truth about his home only when Israel is almost gone. The imagery of this sad wartime scene with mentions of modern trivialities like food and sport makes for strong juxtaposition.

“It was the same feeling he had when he was in kindergarten and he wanted his mother to stand in front of the house waving until the school bus pulled away.”

Matt leaves Mr. Hornbee’s farm after a brief rest and good meal. He journeys into the woods on Blackjack, the Hornbees’s mule. The emotional pull reminds Matt of leaving his comfortable home to go off to school.

“We can figure this out without Q […] I’m the president of this club and I’ll think of something, don’t worry.”

Matt insists that he, Hooter, and Tony must find Q and Katie, whom the Hessians have captured. Tony questions Matt’s strategy, and Hooter wishes Q were there to use his good brain. Matt’s leadership skills, however, are developing; he exhibits increasing confidence and tries to calm the other two boys.

“You’re the one that always wants to be the leader. You led us into this mess and so now you’d better figure out how you’re going to lead us out of it.”

This moment represents a low point for Matt, as Tony lets him know that the burden of responsibility is his (Matt’s). Hooter and Tony despair—no Q, no Katie, and no way home. Matt rallies, though, and reminds them that although General Washington faced impossible chances at Trenton, he won.

“‘I might not have all the answers right now,’ Matt was thinking. ‘But I do have courage. I just hope that I have enough.’”

Matt recalls his own courageous moments; he did not abandon Israel, and he did not turn back after leaving Mr. Hornbee’s farm. He tells himself that courage can serve a person just as well as having all the answers. Immediately after this, he follows the Native Americans in search of Katie and Q.

“[M]aybe there’s no such thing as just good guys fighting bad guys.”

Matt attempts to console Hooter shortly after rebel soldiers shoot Gustav and disrespectfully joke with Gustav’s tall black hat. Matt learns a valuable lesson about human worth and kindness. The Hessians might have represented a fierce enemy at first, but Matt sees through that anonymous label now and understands that individuals make up armies—including enemy armies. The Hessians seemed to be “other,” but at least one of them was a sympathetic character.