Steuben’s blood began to boil. “Bring me my pistol!” he cried in German to his servant.
And the landlord, who was smiling maliciously, suddenly felt a pistol pressed against his breast.
“Can you give us beds?” shouted Steuben.
“Yes!” cried the affrighted man.
“Bread?”
“Yes!”
“Yes!—yes!—yes!—yes!”
And the trembling landlord scurried around. The table was quickly laid, and food set out. Then after a substantial supper, a comfortable night and a hearty breakfast, the Baron and his men mounted and were off again.
To cut the story short, he was soon at Valley Forge, serving with Washington, and training the troops. They had had little expert military training before. The Baron drilled the soldiers himself. He took a musket in hand and showed them how to advance, retreat, or charge without falling into disorder.