Kathleen V. Kudlinski - Rebel with a Cause: The Daring Adventure of Dicey Langston, Girl Spy of the American Revolution

D icey stretched her tired back. She felt the blue cloth her brother was weaving. Nice work, Henry. Ill sneak this to the troops when youre done.

Suddenly Colin burst into the room. Im a soldier! He pointed a broom at Henry. Bang! Youre dead!

Henry spun around, grabbed his chest, and fell over, pretending to be dead. Colin yelled, Huzzah! I won the war!

Stop playing, Henry, Dicey scolded. Colin, you can do your part for the war by helping us make uniforms. We dont want the soldiers fighting in nothing but boots!

Little Amy giggled.

Colin pointed to the loom. But that color is wrong. The soldiers in town wear red coats.

Can you all keep a sky blue secret? Dicey put a finger to her lips. Follow me.

Dicey led them to Fathers room. Most people around here like having King George in charge, she said. But we dont. Our family fights to be free from British rule. We want the liberty to make our own laws. Were Patriots! And Patriots wear blue uniforms.

She opened Fathers trunk and pulled out a red, white, and blue flag.

Colin looked out the window. But the neighbors flag is different.

That is Britains flag, Dicey explained. Patriots have a new flag. We want to form our own country.

Pretty stars! Amy clapped.

I can count, Bennett said. Thirteen stars. Thirteen stripes.

For the thirteen colonies, Henry added proudly.

The door opened. Laodicea Langston! Father thundered, using Diceys full name. What are you doing? You know the danger!

They promised not to tell, Father, Dicey said, quickly closing the trunk.

What danger, Father? Colin asked.

Father limped to a chair and sighed. He looked at his children. Were fighting in secret to free all the colonies on our continent, Father said.

If our neighborsthe Kings Loyalistsfound out, they might steal our horses or burn our house. Then he added sternly, Any of you who spills our secret gets a whipping.

And you, Dicey, Father said quietly, no more secret trips to the Continental Army camp. And now you call the horse Liberty? People are beginning to think you are a spy. You know what the Redcoats do to spies.

Dicey shivered. But delivering supplies and carrying messages were her ways to help win this war. How could she just stay home? I promise to be more careful, Father, she said, looking down at the floor. That was all she could agree to.

A week later Dicey visited her good friend Beth Camps. Beths family provided belts and boots for the soldiers. Dicey also made short visits to several other villagers. She knew which ones secretly supported independence, as the Langstons did. Each family had new clothing, baked goods, or letters for Dicey to deliver to their boys in blue. She packed it all on Liberty and rode ten miles through fields and forests. She crossed the Enoree River at a shallow spot. Soon she was near the secret camp.

Halt, little girl! a soldier said.

Im no little girl, sir, Dicey answered. Im a messenger. You know my brothers, James and Solomon Langston.

So you are Daring Dicey, he said with a smile. Your brothers are fine soldiers.

He rode next to her. You should not be out alone. The Redcoats could see you, or even worse, Bloody Bill could attack you. Ill escort you into camp.

Dicey handed packages of supplies to grateful soldiers. Solomon hugged her. Any news from home?

We are all well, though Fathers old wounds hurt, Dicey said. Beth sends her love, she added with a smile.

Solomon blushed. We will marry in June, but thats a secret.

Dicey clapped her hands in joy. I hoped as much! Are you planning a party?

Im too busy training eight new soldiers!

James walked up to them. Hush. The less she knows, the better. He tugged a curl loose from Diceys cap. Does Father know youre here?

Dicey quickly tucked her hair back under cover. Come home and ask Father yourself. The little ones miss you.

Too dangerous. You know that, Solomon said. The Redcoats know we are rebel soldiers, but they think we cut all our family ties. We visit home, and they will suspect Father is a Patriot too.

By coming here, you risk even more, James added. Please be careful and leave by another path.

Dicey nodded solemnly. Ill take care, brothers. But I am in this fight until we win independence.

Dicey had almost made it safely home when she heard horses coming up behind her. She turned to look and gasped. Redcoats! She kicked Liberty into a gallop, but the soldiers overtook her. The tall one grabbed her horses rein.

Whoa! he said, pulling her to a stop. Have you been to the rebel camp, Missy?

Never. Dicey struggled to keep her voice from shaking.

The other soldier pointed his pistol at Diceys head. I dont believe you. Where are they? Who is there? What are they planning?

I dont know, sir. Dicey could barely breathe. What had that patriot guard called her outside his camp? A little girl? Im just a little girl. I like riding sweet Li ... She stopped mid-word. Her horses name would give her away! Dicey patted Libertys mane a moment before finishing. I love riding my sweet little ol Daisybelle.

The soldier kept his gun trained on Dicey.

Go easy, partner, the tall one said quietly. Then suddenly he swept his arm up under the gun. It fired over Diceys head. Her horse jumped and Dicey galloped away while the soldiers argued. Her heart didnt stop pounding until she reached home.

T wo rainy weeks later, Dicey stood dripping at Beth Camps door with a package.