| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - August 17 2004 : 11:55:31 AM
“A Man Among Men” (Part Two) By Sgt. Munro
Near the Juniata River, Pennsylvania Colony
18 March 1764 / 1940 Hours
“Get him off of me, Maurice!” Cried Wiagasksin.
Maurice grabbed the unconscious man by the shoulders, and lifted him off of his friend. He then opened the door on his lantern and examined their unexpected guest. “I don’t know what his name is, but I have seen him before, hanging around One Nut’s store.” Maurice noted.
“He was with that rough bunch of men we came across, two days ago.” Wiagasksin then said, “The group who bragged that they were going ‘hunting for redcoats’. Do you remember?”
“Oui, my friend, I do.” Maurice replied, “It looks like they found some. That explained all of the gunfire we heard earlier.”
Tying the man’s hands and feet, Wiagasksin then said, “There might be a reward, if we take him to Fort Bedford.”
“Oui, and there may be free accommodation for us, at the gaol, if they find out where we are headed with all of these trade goods.” Maurice said, pointing to their tethered packhorses.
The decision on what to do with their new guest, was made for them when a group of seven soldiers emerged from the surrounding foliage. The largest of them shouted, “Halt, in the name of the King.”
Both Maurice and Wiagasksin threw their arms skyward, and answered, “Don’t shoot… Friend, friend!
“Announce yourselves… Friends.” The soldier challenged.
Maurice said, “I am Monsieur Maurice Le Bâtard, and this is Wiagasksin. We are loyal servants of the British King George the Second.”
The soldier replied, “I am Corporal Ian MacIntyre, of His Majesty’s 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. I do not know how loyal a servant you can be; since King George the Second has been dead awhile, and his grandson, King George the Third has succeeded him.”
“News travels at a more casual pace out here, Monsieur Corporal.” Maurice explained.
“Monsieur Le Bâtard?” Corporal MacIntyre asked, “Your father’s name, I presume?”
“That is what my mother told me, when I was young.” Maurice answered.
“A most interesting lineage, I am sure.” Corporal MacIntyre then pointed at Six Pak, and asked, “What is he doing here!”
Wiagasksin replied, “Ah… We were just traveling along, when we heard some gunfire coming from the direction of the King’s Road… Shortly thereafter, this man ran out of the brush and knocked me over.”
“The Forbes Road? Bluidy hell!” MacIntyre said, “Gather your articles and goods, all of you are coming with us!”
Corporal MacIntyre, and his soldiers escorted Maurice, Wiagasksin, their packhorses, and the still unconscious Six Pak. He pushed them hard to get to the Forbes Road, fearing that the worse had befallen the company. Using lanterns to light their way, the going was agonizing slow. After over two and one-half hours, they caught up with the rearguard of the company.
“Halt, who goes there?” The picket soldier challenged.
“Corporal MacIntyre, and the Juniata Patrol.” MacIntyre replied, “Private Stewart, is that you?”
“Aye, Ian.” Stewart answered, “It is good to see you, we have had a very interesting evening.”
“I have heard, Charles.” MacIntyre then said, “Were any of our lads lost?”
“No, Ian, although young Private MacPherson was wounded by gunfire.” Private Stewart continued with, “But Sergeant Munro believes that the wound is survivable.”
“Very good, Charles.” MacIntyre departed with, “I must take these people, and their goods, to the Captain.”
Once Corporal MacIntyre, and his entourage, arrived at the company main body, Captain Graham and Sergeant Munro greeted them. Sergeant Munro walked straight to the packhorse carrying the now awaking Six Pak. Pulling off Six Pak’s skunk skin hat, Munro then grabbed Six Pak by his hair and lifted his head so that their eyes would meet.
“You disgusting little piece of horse dung!” Munro barked, “I am going to enjoy watching you swing from the end of a rope!”
Groggily, Six Pak rep |
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