July 1775, Watertown, Massachusetts
“Filigree!” Frances called out from the edge of Watertown Common. “Race you to that oak tree! And you, Jove!” Mr. Adams was in Watertown too.
She had almost won when Mr. Revere appeared across the common. Frances, Jove, and Filigree all fell over one another in a heap of arms, legs, and paws. Frances giggled and even Jove laughed.
“There’s my girl!” Mr. Revere said to Frances as he reached them. He patted Filigree’s head. “Strong as . . . as . . .”
“Filigree?” laughed Frances. Anvil lay curled in the sunshine just out of the shade of the oak tree. She lifted her head, blinked at Filigree, and went back to sleep.
“One more time?” Frances said to the dogs.
Just a few hours after Mr. Revere had made it safely to town, the Battle of Lexington had begun. The patriots had been ready, thanks to the midnight riders. But it meant that the patriot fighters couldn’t go back to Boston.
Mr. Revere had his family meet him in Watertown as soon as he could. Ever since her nighttime adventure on the streets of Boston, Frances just wouldn’t stay in bed and inside any longer. Little by little, Mr. Revere realized she was strong now. He hadn’t treated her like a weakling since she arrived in Watertown.
Mr. Revere hadn’t told anyone about Filigree’s help that night. That was their secret. “I might need you again, boy,” Mr. Revere had said to him. “A spy never reveals his best weapons.” And of course, he never knew exactly how Filigree had helped him escape the Redcoats and scare them away from Lexington.
But Jove did, and word had spread. Now every dog in the Massachusetts Bay Colony knew how Filigree had helped the patriot cause.
Frances took off running across the common.
“Think you can keep up, Dormouse?” Jove said.
This time, Filigree didn’t mind the nickname.