Sybil Ludington’s Midnight Ride

She slowed Star to a trot

and banged on the door with her stick.

“The British are burning Danbury!” she shouted.

“Meet at Colonel Ludington’s house!”

Then she urged Star on, back into the dark woods.

She had no time to waste.

Sybil stopped at house after house.

She stayed just long enough to call out her message and listen for an answer.

Then she would ride on into the night.

The cold rain made Sybil’s teeth chatter.

Her fingers felt stiff on the reins.

She woke so many families that she lost count.