The Infiltrator Page 2

The young patriots halt the British column, but the plan goes awry when British troops arrive at full gallop to protect the wagonload of ammunition, and forcing the rebels to flee.  Irish is wounded by one of the British soldiers during the retreat, but the others are unharmed.

"They were waiting for us," Henry says later that night as the trio discuss the failure in Isak's shop. "Appears so," Jeremy agrees. "Only the six of us knew of the operation." It has become clear that there is a spy in their midst.  The question:  Who?

The next morning, Irish goes to the British commander to confront him about being wounded in the attack.  As Irish grabs him by the coat in a rage, the commander pulls a pistol on him.  "Who is Yankee Doodle?" he demands. "I don't know yet."

While Irish confronts his commander, the young rebels report to a tired and discouraged Lafayette, who informs them that the British now have their ammunition, and two more shipments on the way. "How long can you hold out?" Jeremy asks. "I'm down to the last of my ammunition," he replies. "When will General Green arrive?" Henry asks. "Three days too late.  Surrender is always painful and seldom right, but I suppose there are times when it is the wise thing to do."

Jeremy is stunned that the general appears ready to give up.   "You said there are two more shipments.  If you had that ammunition ---" "No!  Do not even consider it, my friend.  Even if you were able to take the wagons, you would have to move them through British lines." "Well, maybe we could," he replies, drawing shocked looks from Isak and Henry.  "As British!"

Willing to hear his plan, Lafayette decides to give them the chance.

As the trio watch from a hill, they notice something peculiar.  "Dragoons and a squad of redcoats for one wagon, and now only four men for two wagons?" Isak asks.  "It doesn't make sense!" "Unless they expected our first attack and don't know about this one," Jeremy replies.

"Maybe we shouldn't say anything until it's time," Henry suggests. "Then if there is a spy, they won't have time to make contact," Jeremy agrees.

Returning to town, Irish spies Elizabeth returning to her carriage from a shopping spree, and he walks alongside her in an attempt to gain the information he needs.  Casually, he says, "I'm sure you can understand our surprise, finding out that Jeremy is Yankee Doodle!  We all expected someone older!" Elizabeth urges him to keep his voice down, but unknowningly gives him the information he seeks: "Well, that's why the secret is so well kept." Leaving her, Irish rushes toward the edge of town, where he has been keeping his pigeons, but is stopped by Henry.  "I've been looking all over for you.  Jeremy wants to see us all at the barn." Irish hesitates, indicating that he has someplace he needs to go, but Henry is persistent.  "He needs us now!"

Meeting the others at the barn, Jeremy lays out the plan to capture the other two wagonloads of ammunition and transferring it to Lafayette's possession.

This time, the transfer of wagons goes as planned.  The four redcoats are overwhelmed, and the rebels order the British soldiers out of their uniforms.  As he loosely ties up one of the soldiers, Irish instructs him that when he gets free, he must go to the commander and inform him that the wagons

will be driven through the lines by Yankee Doodle himself. As soon as the rebels are out of sight, the soldier runs in his underwear all the way to camp, and bursts into the commander's tent. Saluting quickly, he informs them of the spy's warning.

As they near Chester Bridge, where Lafayette and his men are waiting, Irish shows his true colors.  Driving one of the wagons, he attempts to rein in the team to allow the pursuing British sodliers time to catch up.  Jeremy attempts to wrestle the reins from him, and ignores Irish's insistence that he will shoot

if he does not release them. As they reach the other side of the Bridge, Irish jumps from the wagon and attempts to run back across.  Jeremy goes after him, knowing that Irish will betray the Society to the British, but during the struggle, Irish is shot and killed by the British.

At Lafayette's camp, both Rachel and Jonathan reveal that they plan to continue fighting for the cause, but Rachel has eyes for the general! "He's very handsome!" she exclaims.