But few marked the rowers , for in their midst , tall , straight , and steadfast as a mast , stood one figure in a cloak , with folded arms , high boots , and , under the turned-up hat , a noble countenance , stern with indomitable courage . A sword glittered at his side , and a banner waved over him , but his eye was fixed on the distant shore , and he was evidently unconscious of the roaring billows , the blocks of ice , the discouragement of his men , or the danger and death that might await him . Napoleon crossing the Alps was not half so sublime , and with one voice the audience cried , `` Washington crossing the Delaware ! '' while the band burst forth with , `` See , the conquering hero comes ! '' all out of tune , but bound to play it or die in the attempt . It would have been very successful if , all of a sudden , one of the rowers had not `` caught a crab '' with disastrous consequences . The oars were not moving , but a veteran , who looked very much like Joe , dropped the one he held , and in trying to turn and pummel the black-eyed warrior behind him , he tumbled off his seat , upsetting two other men , and pulling the painted boat upon them as they lay kicking in the cambric deep . Shouts of laughter greeted this mishap , but George Washington never stirred . Grasping the banner , he stood firm when all else went down in the general wreck , and the icy waves engulfed his gallant crew , leaving him erect amid a chaos of wildly tossing boots , entangled oars , and red-faced victims . Such god-like dignity could not fail to impress the frivolous crowd of laughers , and the curtain fell amid a round of applause for him alone . `` Quite exciting , was n't it ? Did n't know Gus had so much presence of mind , '' said Mr. Burton , well pleased with his boy . `` If we did not know that Washington died in his bed , December 14 , 1799 , I should fear that we 'd seen the last of him in that shipwreck , '' laughed an old gentleman , proud of his memory for dates . Much confusion reigned behind the scenes ; Ralph was heard scolding , and Joe set every one off again by explaining , audibly , that Grif tickled him , and he could n't stand it . A pretty , old-fashioned picture of the `` Daughters of Liberty '' followed , for the girls were determined to do honor to the brave and patient women who so nobly bore their part in the struggle , yet are usually forgotten when those days are celebrated . The damsels were charming in the big caps , flowered gowns , and high-heeled shoes of their great-grandmothers , as they sat about a spider-legged table talking over the tax , and pledging themselves to drink no more tea till it was taken off . Molly was on her feet proposing , `` Liberty forever , and down with all tyrants , '' to judge from her flashing eyes as she held her egg-shell cup aloft , while the others lifted theirs to drink the toast , and Merry , as hostess , sat with her hand on an antique teapot , labelled `` Sage , '' ready to fill again when the patriotic ladies were ready for a second `` dish . '' This was much applauded , and the curtain went up again , for the proud parents enjoyed seeing their pretty girls in the faded finery of a hundred years ago . The band played `` Auld Lang Syne , '' as a gentle hint that our fore-mothers should be remembered as well as the fore-fathers . It was evident that something very martial was to follow , for a great tramping , clashing , and flying about took place behind the scenes while the tea-party was going on .
After some delay , `` The Surrender of Cornwallis '' was presented in the most superb manner , as you can believe when I tell you that the stage was actually lined with a glittering array of XXXXX and his generals , Lafayette , Kosciusko , Rochambeau and the rest , all in astonishing uniforms , with swords which were evidently the pride of their lives .
Delaware Gus Joe Molly Napoleon Ralph Washington damsels fore-mothers rowers