Jack shivered. The wind blew hard.

"It's cold," he said. He could see his breath in theair.

'Wrap your scarf tighter," said Annie.

Jack looked down. He had a wool scarf around hisneck.

He was also wearing woolen pants that buttoned atthe knees, a coat, and a hat w ith three corners. Onhis feet were funny-looking shoes with buckles. Inplace of his backpack was a leather bag.

Annie was wearing a long coat over a long dress.

Jack pulled his scarf tighter. Then he looked out thewindow with Annie.

They'd landed in trees near an icy river.

The sky was gray and heavy with clouds.

"It's almost day--or almost night. I can't tell," saidAnnie.

"Yeah. I hope it's almost day," said Jack.

"I wonder where we'll find something to send?" saidAnnie.

Jack shrugged.

"First we have to find the Revolutionary War," hesaid.

He opened their research book. By the gray light, heread:

Over 200 years ago, the United States was made upof thirteen colonies ruled by Britain. From 1775 until1782, American "patriots" fought for independencefrom Britain. This was called the Revolutionary War.

Jack took out his notebook. He wrote:

American patriots fight for independence fromBritain.

Jack turned the page. There was a picture ofsoldiers in red uniforms. He read aloud:

During the Revolutionary War, British soldierswore red uniforms. For this reason, they were called"redcoats."Jack wrote in his notebook:

British = redcoats"Wow, snow," said Annie.

Jack looked up from his writing. was holding herhand out the window. snowflakes blew into the treehouse.

"Not much yet," said Jack. "But we better find thespecial writing soon.""Well, stop reading and come on," said AnnieShe buttoned up her coat and started down theladder.

"Okay, okay," said Jack. He packed the researchbook and his notebook into his bag. Then he followedAnnie.

When they stepped onto the ground, there weremore snow flurries. The sky was growing darker.

"I'm afraid it's almost night instead of day," saidJack.

"Yeah," said Annie, looking around. "Hey, look-people."She pointed up the river. In the misty distance wasa campfire. Several men sat around the fire. They allheld muskets.

"Maybe they can help us," said Annie. She startedaway. But Jack grabbed her.

"Wait, I think they're soldiers," he said.

"They have muskets. Remember the muskets fromthe Civil War? The guns that the soldiers carried?""Oh, yeah," said Annie.

"They might be redcoats," said Jack. "Let's sneakcloser and get a better look at their uniforms.""Quick," said Annie, "before it's too dark to see."