| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - July 19 2004 : 10:30:10 AM
“Captain’s Holiday” By Sgt. Munro
Plantation Farm Tavern on the Forbes Road, Pennsylvania Colony
07 March 1764 / 1320 Hours
This day the men of Graham’s Company were brought to a halt in front of a former contract-storehouse, now operating as a tavern, owned by Hance Ireland. Mister Ireland was often away in Carlisle with his other business, that of a government contractor, so the day-to-day operation of his business rested on his wife and her sister. Captain Graham ordered the company street to be set-up on the gentle rise north of the Forbes Road. As the men busied themselves with the unloading of packhorses and erection of their tents, Captain Graham entered the tavern to arrange a hot meal for his men.
“Good day Mistress.” Captain Graham addressed the older of the two women, “I am Captain Thomas Graham of His Majesty’s 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. We are encamped across the road, and we shall be departing for Fort Bedford in the morning. I would like to contract dinner for thirty-five men.”
“I am Mistress Ireland, and this is my sister Francine Straub.” The woman answered. “We would be glad to prepare your meals Captain Graham, but the value of colonial script has become quite mean lately. I am afraid that I would have to adjust our fees accordingly.”
Reaching into his sporran, Captain Graham removed a gold Guinea from his coin purse and placed it on the bar. He then said, “This should cover the cost, since the value of Royal Specie has remained unchanged.”
Looking at the coin, Mistress Ireland replied, “Oh yes sir, that will do quite sufficiently. We shall have your meals ready in four hours time.”
Tipping his hand to his bonnet, and with a slight bow, Captain Graham said, “Wonderful, I shall inform my men. I look forward to seeing you ladies then.” With that Captain Graham departed the building.
“It will be nice to see you again, my comely captain.” Francine mused afterwards.
Her sister was quick in admonishment, “Oh really Francine, a widow like yourself should show more dignity and restraint.”
“Just because my husband is dead, does not mean that I am.” Francine replied as she cut the first chicken’s head off.
Two hours later, Captain Graham was standing below the camp, making notes in his journal and reviewing his area map. Ensign MacMillan walked up and saluted, “Sir, Sergeant Munro and the advance patrol has returned from their sweep.”
“Excellent.” Captain Graham replied, “What does he have to report?”
“The Sergeant believes that he found a new warpath, to the north.” Ensign MacMillan answered while pointing at the Captain’s map, “It runs due south, east of Shawnee Cabins, and then turns south-southeast into the Colony.”
Making the appropriate notes in both journal and map, Captain Graham said, “All of this time that the soldiers of the Crown and Colony were watching existing war and trade paths, the enemy just simply blazed new ones.” Looking toward the Allegheny Mountains, the Captain continued, “The Ohio Tribes are a strong, proud and resilient people. Will we ever learn to stop underestimating them as a foe… and a people?”
Mistress Straub then walked up with two tankards in her hands, “I thought you gentlemen might like some refreshment.”
Taking the offered drink, Ensign MacMillan said, “Thank you Mistress, it is greatly appreciated.”
“Yes, thank you.” Captain Graham said, barely noticing the affectionate look she gave him.
“Tell me Mistress, have you are your sister noticed anything out of the ordinary here? Particularly at night?” MacMillan asked.
“No sir, not during the day.” She answered, “I would have to ask my sister about what she might have seen after dark, since I do not live here.” Then, pointing east down the Forbes Road, she said, “I have a homestead, about a mile from here where I live. My late husband provided for me very well.”
“Perhaps I can arrange an escort for you home this evening.” Captain Graham said |
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