George Washington's Socks

A new character, Nathan Hornbee, awakens Matt. Mr. Hornbee, an older, kind man, is sympathetic to the rebel cause, though not a part of the Continental Army. He gently insists that Matt leave Israel’s body behind. They must go quickly, Mr. Hornbee says, “just through these woods, not an hour’s ride” (83) to his farm, due to local Tories (loyalists to Britain) nearby.

When Matt awakens, he relishes the comfort of bed, blankets, good smells, and dry clothes—even though he wears a woman’s gown. He sees rustic furnishings and Mr. Hornbee’s wife, Temperance, at a loom. Mr. Hornbee gives Matt stew and says a drummer asked him on the road last night to help Matt and Israel. Matt thinks it was Henry. Matt compares the painful night to a bad dream.

When Matt asks if Mr. Hornbee is a patriot, Mrs. Hornbee immediately cuts their conversation. Mr. Hornbee confides to Matt that though neither he nor his wife are Tories, she lives with great fear of the conflict. The British raided their farm because Mr. Hornbee chose to not sign protection papers, which would indicate allegiance to Britain. Mr. Hornbee tells Matt that though he wants to see the rebels win, he and his wife are “too old to be a part of this struggle” (89).