Megan

Preface

Did you know there were women who dressed up as men to fight in the American Revolution? You might know that the American Revolution is a battle between the British, and the Americans, but did you know that the women fought for their rights and that the slaves wanted to do the same, but they couldn't, because if they dressed up like a solider in the battle, then they would be in BIG trouble.


 * What is the historical setting for this story?** I've set my story in 1778, at the beginning of the American Revolution, which is the war between the American colonists (people who move from their home country to live in a new place), and the British army. This war happened because the British wanted to control the Americans -- through taxes and by telling them what to do. They even made American colonists keep British soldiers in their houses.


 * What is true in this story?** What is true in this story is the of course, the American Revolution was true about the battle, and that women did disguise as men to go into battle for freedom, honor, all the good things you want. It's true that people used muskets in the American Revolution, and there was a group of soldiers from Rhode Island.


 * What is fictional in this story?** There was not a girl named Kristin Night. The three men who are after her are fictional, too. Although Kristin's journal entries seem real, they are made up.

In this story, you will read about a girl going into the battle in the American Revolution. Three guys find out that she is a girl in the war and they are going to tell their leader of the war, but she is trying to think of a way to get them to stop them from doing that. I hope this story will make you think more about what women can do. Women can even fight in battles. I hope you enjoy this story.

"Rhode Island History Time Line". 17 March 2010. http://usastatesdates.com/rhode_island.htm . "Battle of Rhode Island" 22 February 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rhode_Island
 * If you want to read MORE about these topics:**

"The American Revolution" 23 February 2010. http://theamericanrevolution.org/

"American Memory" 24 February 2010. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gnhtml/1778.html

"History of Rhode Island" 16 February 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Rhode_Island

"Rhode Island Slaves In Rev. War, 1778" 14 March 2010. http://rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rigenweb/RevWar/SlavesInRevWar.html

__**Discover the Mystery's**__

__January 11th, 1778__ It was January, and outside in the dark, the snow was coming down around our tent, I was beginning to feel sad no one knew I was girl, and before any of us could speak, the wind blow the snow harder, which we figured it would turn into hail, anyways, once the wind was blowing harder than usual, and the people in charge didn’t really care what we thought of the snow or the wind, and they didn’t even care if we were cold or not, they just gave directions everyone! However, once we were done marching towards the British, (fake of course, just stuffed dolls, which our team managed them, to help us understand what we are going into), they started shooting at us first, but once they were reloading, that’s when we did the same thing too, we started shooting, this went on for a while, except, I wasn’t really shooting, but when I heard the big pop from a gun, that’s when I realized that the bullet was heading right to me! Then I heard another big pop, in fear, and couldn’t move a muscle, then when I finally looked up to see 2 bullets coming right at me! Luckily, I was fast as lightning to move away from the 2 frightening bullets that looked like striking slithering snakes getting ready to bite me, except go through me, ok, so I know I was a little faster than I usually am in the backyard at home, with my on little family there, because I only have 1 little sister, and my parents. Now I’m back in my tent writing in my journal. War doesn’t feel like I thought it would. I disguised myself as a boy because I wanted to help fight for freedom in this American Revolution. My parents and my sister said they were scared for me, but I went anyway. I wanted to show them I can be strong, brave, and tough. Today's battle made me feel brave, but I was scared. I'm also scared the other soldiers will find out I'm a girl-and that my father will try to come get me and bring me home. He never believed I could do this. He would have said, "You should know better then get into this war. The British are the most powerful army in the world."

__January 13th, 1778__ I'm still in my tent writing in my journal, now I'm feeling really bad, because i left my weak parents and my little sister behind to defend for themselves. They didn't really hurt me, they only told me what they were thinking of me at this age right now, mostly what they told me is that I'm weak, and that I have no strength, no bravery, basically they only hurt my feelings, and my life is hard right now because I'm struggling with my parents already starting to die of a disease in there 40's probably or even younger (they don't tell me much at all), and my sister too young to do anything at her age(she wants to go on big adventures, and practically the same thing as me), but going into war was kind of scary, but not frighting or anything like that, just scary enough to startle me so much that I want to run away from the war. My family never had slaves at all, because that's why my parents have my sister and I. I am not rich because my parents say I need to be older than I am right now, in order to be "rich"(like $20-$50), anyways, if you don't know who I am, I am Kristen Night, I am 18 years old, just a heads up, I'm still in the American Revolution Battle, in my tent writing in my journal, and no, you haven't gone over board with the questions, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have for me, but now it's my turn for asking the questions, Who is __Ms. Brooks__? Does she have a full name? Any children? If you were here in Rhode Island, would you leave your family behind to go into the battle to fight for freedom? Do you still have a family? Any friends? Is your life hard? Any slaves at all now? Is your family rich? Are you old enough? Anyways, I'll ask you more questions late, right now isn't a good time, for one reason why is because I'm in my tent, the other soldiers said that I can't be writing in my journal most of the time, one of them already almost had an argument with her, but it was more like a conversation. The taller, more buff soldier, said to me in a regular yet strong voice "Soldier! Where are you going?" He looked down at my fidgeting hands with my journal in them, then he looked back up at her worried face, with her also biting the inside of her cheek. He nearly yelled in anger and frustration "This is no time to writing your journal! We are ALL supposed to be practicing for our next attack, soldier!" She jumped at his strong, yet frustrated voice, but she didn't say anything for a while, then she said finally in a very nervous, yet terrified voice "I know, but my parents wanted me to write in my journal mostly everyday, and mostly every detail about this war, and that is my homework till this battle is over." Finally, I'm done with my conversation with the oldest soldier(not old, but like not able to come back but only teach some of the young ones), he's letting me write in my journal for only two and half hours, I've already taken up an hour and a half, now only an hour left.

__January 15th, 177__ Now it is our fourth day of practicing our shooting before the American Revolution Battle. Once we have completed our shooting perfect shooting, then we can move on to the real thing on the British. So, no time to write in my journal for now.

__August 2nd, 1778__ Okay, so it's been 7 months since I've written in my own journal, for one reason why is because I've really gotten into practicing, and it makes want to do more, so, I've been doing more practice than all the other soldiers, the second reason is because I've met some new friends while I was trying to practice some more, but I ran into them(other soldiers), not on purpose, but they found out I was a girl, that's when they wanted to report that to the leader, but I was able to stop them, and they understood. Also, they're names are Alex, Bruce, Josh, and yes, i thought there would more soldiers that would find out, but only three of them found out, but they didn't get into a fight like I thought they would, but instead, their my buddies, anyways, we've been practicing, and practicing for a long time, I didn't even know how long it's been since I've written in my journal, I've been happy most of the time. It's been exciting to practice shooting, even my buddies help me out with, my form of holding a gun right, and whenever i make it on the shot, they cheer me on, if i don;t they encourage me to keep trying, that's the best part of having them. Well, I'll talk about it later, if I have the time. no time for writing in my journal again.

__August 28th, 1778__ Now, It's the day before battle,mostly all of us are scared, maybe even scared to death, I can see it in all of they're terrified eyes, then again, the rest of us have different emotions, but me, I mostly feel like different kinds of emotions, at first I feel excited to be in this battle, I've wanted to be in this battle for 3 years now, then I feel scared also, but a different scared like I'm going to die in this battle, then again, I feel nervous that everyone will see that I'm a girl, like they're going to argue about 1 little thing. But, Everyone will be angry that I'm in it, and think it's nor fair that I was able to get in it. Anyways, I have get going going because we're almost there.**

__August 29th, 1778__** Now, We're finally here also I'm in my tent writing just for about half an hour, just when everyone here is trying to get settle in, the British started shooting at us! Now, everyone on the American side, started at just shooting who ever was in front of us, but the British, they just started to shooting anyone no matter what, but we the Americans, are going to do the same thing, but not exactly like them, just shoot any of the British that try to shoot any of us just to get our freedom back, but it was just then that I realized that I had like probably 3 bullets coming after me, but this time, my running skills weren't going to help or work at all this time, only 1 out of the 3 missed me, the other 2 the 2 bullets looked like they were trying to have a race, just to see who can get to me first, the first one shot right through me like a snake, and that it's razer, sharp teeth slicing through the rats skin, the second one felt like a knife slicing through the fragile skin of a helpless human except, it only went half way, those 2 seconds felt like I was the only one hear on earth, then the next thing I felt was screaming from the top of my lungs, but I couldn't because of the stinging pain in my back, then my head started throbbing, and I felt my heartbeat going faster like I my heart rate went 100 beats per minute, I also felt like I needed like 50 cups of water and that everything in my body was starting to shut down completely. Like death. But, for some strange reason, I felt these cold, wet hands grab my weak, useless arms, then I finally relized who's grip it was, it was Bruce's! I can't believe I had forgotten my best friends grips! Wait a minute! My friends are helping me! But how did they find out I was shot! I wasn't really near them, well sure I was a distance away from them, but still how'd they find out! Now, I think I'm on in a bed on in a tent, I'm not really sure because I'm used to sleeping in a tent on the floor so I might be on the ground in my tent either that or I'm wrong, because I just might be on a bed somewhere. Anyways, I can also feel a cool breeze from the hot feeling when the bullets went through, now I feel like my body temperture is finally going back to the way it was. But I think it's some doctor trying to "save my life", I put in those marks because whenever a doctor try's to save a life, they don't really save that persons life, but I'm not trying to be mean or anything, they just don't really do anything, but my heart rate is going back to normal, my head isn't hurting anymore, I don't feel like I have to drink a lot of water. So, I guess they're okay(doctors). But it could be my friends helping me even more, but to me the important thing to me is that my friends or buddies are there for me, even if we're far away from each other, to me it doesn't matter, they're still my buddies, and no one take away our friendship. That's why I'm lucky to have such great friends. Time to go. No more time for writing. I'll tell you more about it later.

__August 31st, 1778__ Yes! The battle is over, I've fully recovered my worse injuries in my entire life, even though everyone did find out that I'm a girl, which turns out they didn't really care, they didn't mind at all, surprisingly, and my parents will be really mad, and my sister will be scared about it, and I would have to comfert her, but it was worth it. The people who won the war was the Americans, and since we won the battle, we get to have our families visit us during the weekend at camp, but it's a problem for me, because my parents might ask them owner if it was alright if a girl was in the battle, or might ask if I had fun with my friends, which they think it's wierd that I'm with a lot of guys by me, when I keep trying to tell them that I have NO boyfriends at all for now, because I don't want to, and I only have three guy-friends, and they're my friends, not boyfriends, my parents and even my little sister keeps on teasing me about that, and she's only 11, and I'm 18, but when my parents say it t me, I'm used to it, because they've been saying it to me since I was like 14 or 15, till now, so I don't really have to deal with them that much, it's only my little sister I have to deal with. Anyways, I'm so excited to have my family come to my tent, to come and visit me, oh, great. Now, I'm starting to sound like those goody-two-shoes cheerleaders(or girly-girls), that are annoying, snobby, and are totally girly-girls, I also don't want to sound rude even my best friend is like that. okay, back to my story, so, I guess that my parents are pretty excited as I am, so, big deal, sure I'd feel the same way if one of them was my oldest child went into war or battle, but it doesn't seem like it, it seems like nothing to me now, for some reason, I feel nothing, I told my buddies the same exact thing, and they agree with me(as usual), but I'm glad, at least I have someone on my side or should I say someones or a few people on my side, but since my parents are coming, they have to stay away from as long as possible, till they leave, and I telling them the plan, but they just won't listen to me for no reason, I mean I'm making such a big deal about this, but they usually listen to me about everything, no matter what it is, but this time it's different. Anyways, Once my parents finally come and visit me, maybe they can bring me my favorite foods to eat, like pasta foods, having all kinds of pasta foods is what I like having the most out of everything, but not only that, probably my fun kit or something to use to draw with or write on, okay, so I know it sounds kind of wierd coming from me when I'm in the American Revolutionary war, but still it's been a while since I've done something fun like that, also If you were in this battle, would you give up everything and just go, or would you bring whatever it is with you, and just use it when no one is looking? I'd probably do both of them, than just one. What was it like when I was gone the rest of the years? Was there other wars going on? Was there earthquakes? Is there a king? Do we have Kings anymore? Is there anymore battles or wars going on right now, in 2010? No more time for writing now. I'll tell you the rest probably tomorrow.

__September 2nd, 1778__ I'm not in my tent anymore, our leader actually meant that if our parents came to visit that we can go home, instead I showed them and my little sister around where the most common places we go to, and the least common places go to. But, I'm feeling kind of sad and bad right now, for some reason. At first I feel sad for leaving all my buddies(Bruce, Alex, and Josh), then I feel bad for what I tried forcing them what to do, now I feel like I just want to scream out loud, then just when I want to drift off to a nap, I can hear footsteps coming in the entrance door. Now I feel confused of whats happening right now, and I think I know why there's people coming in the house is probably because they're having a welcome back party for me, but I didn't see or hear from sister, my sisters birthday is on the 18th of October, my birthday is in September 16th, well not really close but we always like to celebrate it earlier than usual and mine a little late because of how we're always busy, also, every year for my birthday party, or a "get together" with my friends is always boring, but not for my little sister, it's always fun for her but not for me, my parents always throw like a big party like she's going away for a long time, but my parties are like one thing for every person, and my presents are the worst, I mostly get clothes and nothing that's ever fun! My sister gets all the fun! Anyways, this it's going to be different, I'm going to set-up my own fun party, funnier than my sisters parties. Well, I better go see what's going on downstairs otherwise, my sister and parents will drag me down there. Have to get going now. No more time for writing, I'll tell you the rest later.

__September 3rd, 1778__ I was right, there was a "Welcome Back party, for me", I had all my friends there(in living room), we were having such a great time together, the next thing we knew was it was late, so they went home and well, I guess they're all sleeping still. Me, I'm a little tired, I got a good night rest, woke up early, now I'm writing in my journal, in my bed room, in bed, just resting a little, I also guess I'm the only one up than everyone else, right now I feel like jumping around the house, but it's like 6:30am, everyone wants they're rest, but me, not really, I'm more of a waking up early morning person, my sister is more of a staying up late night person, so she goes to bed really late, me I go to bed early, wake up really early in the morning. Anyways, my family is with us because my grandparents wanted to celebrate it earlier than usual, so...Mine is going to be on October 2nd, 1778, my little sisters birthday is on September 30th, 1778, we're just doing it on later and earlier, because my grandparents can't afford to come on our exact birthdays, is because it will cost to much. Also, My mother is the only one who plans them, my father is the one that was good at it, but he died of some kind of cancer my mother won't tell, but that's all you can know for now. Till next time.

What's the "History of Werewolves?"

What do You think it would be like to be like a werewolf? Well, they aren't scary, that much, but if you believe in them, all those pictures and videos, and all, well, 95% of that is fake, but 5% of that is real, i don't know which is real, and which is fake, but what i can tell you is that they're basically just here on the Earth to help us, not to kill us, the only thing they do kill is any evil, other than that, we don't have to be afraid, unless you like horror stories, and probably all of you guys heard that they change under a full moon, but I don't think thats true, i made some research probably a couple weeks ago, that there's different ways to TURN yourself into a werewolf, but thats not the only thing i researched, anyways, the scientists hid most of the information so they won't scare us, plus they seem friendly, well, to me they do. But I'm not really sure if you believe in them, looks like I'm about to find out soon.

Is there any evidence that werewolves actually exist? According to http://moonlitwolfsbane.bikku.net/origin.html, a real man named Peter Stubbe lived in Germany in 1591. He killed 16 people, and 2 pregnant women, and 13 children, and later on he also killed 2 men, and a women, they were just walking along the road close by where he hides, he called one of them, the man he called followed the voice, and was murdered, the first man never returned because the others never really knew what had happened to him, then the second man followed his trail, he also disappeared into the forest, the woman fled from the area, later on, 2 mangled corpses were found, but the women's body was never found, Pete was killed alive on a torture wheel, his flesh was pulled off with a red hot pincher, his arms and legs were broken, then finally he was decapitated, his own carcass was burned to ashes, his daughter and mistress were burnt alive, after that happened, later on, people started believing that such creatures were like the shadow of the wolf, or as they said "People started to believe that such creatures with the shadow of wolves were living among them", then we started calling them Werewolves.

Why is the moon connected to werewolves? According to http://www.theastralworld.com/mythical-creatures/werewolves.php, Us the people know the werewolf as a human beings that turn into wolves during a full moon, many people believe that the full moons have some kind possess, and some kind of power over the human mind, the wiccan peak or 'high tide' of the psychic energy is determined by the full moon and thats when the werewolves turns into its wolf form. Also, witches and Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel & Gretel came to being, werewolves and witches are the evil beings that inhabit the forests and love the mysterious night. Its not what i would actually say, but thats what the website said, and its also really weird that the witches came to being like the werewolves, but thats not important right now, lets try and look for MORE answers.

Are werewolves always scary in stories? I didn't find an answer for this question, but i will keep trying, what i know is that they don't seem scary at all, because well, ever since i figured out they're just here on earth to help us, i've been excited ever since i found that out, and i've been wanting to keep going on more info.

Are there good werewolves? According to http://www.angelfire.com/ok/ladyhorror/wolves.html, werewolves can be good and bad, kind and cruel, gentle and fierce, they also stay in family groups, also that some people didn't understand and would easily think that these people who danced and hunted turned into the animals they were impersonating. I'm not really sure if you believe me or not, but i hope this will work.

A Cheetah's Habitat

The cheetah is the worlds fastest land animal, the cheetah is also the most unique and specialized member to the Cat family. The speed of a cheetah is 70mph. the cheetah has a more __leaner body__, longer legs, and it’s been referred as the “grey hound” of the cats. But the cheetah isn’t an aggressive animal, it’s using flight vs. fight, with it’s weak jaws, small teeth, and the price it paid for speed, it can’t protect it’s kill or young against larger predators.

Sometimes the cheetah is mistaken for a leopard; its distinguishing marks are the long tear-dropped shaped lines on each side of the nose, and from the corner of its eyes and mouth. The coat is tan or a buff colored, with the black spots that measures from ¾ to 1 ¼ inches across, but no spots on the white belly, the tail has spots that merge to form 4 to 6 dark rings at the end.

The male cheetahs are slightly larger than the females, but its difficult to tell them apart by appearance alone (also known as coming up by your self). Cheetahs like to live in open areas, because that’s what they live for, and also because they want to be able to run in the open then in small areas, they are usually found in grasslands, desert-like plains, and areas that have tall grass. Mostly in Africa, some parts in India, and middle East, and south-central Asia. Cheetahs also have keen eyesight, which means that they are able to see across their grassland environment for signs of prey-especially antelope and hares. This big cat is a daylight hunter, which benefits from stealthy movement and a distinctive spotted coat that allows it to blend in with the high, dry grasses. The cheetahs relative height can go up to 6ft high, its weight is from 77 to 143 lbs (35 to 65 kg), also the size is from 3.5 to 4.5ft (1.1 to1.4m); Tail, 25.5 to 31.5in (65 to 80 cm).

When the time is right the cheetah will sprint after its prey, to attempt to knock it down.