Posted by Nancy, the dark-haired lass on November 22, 2000 at 10:40:05:
November ye 23rd, 1758
A message for
Many Flags at
Allemangel, County of Berks
Pennsylvania Colony
Dear Many Flags,
I take the quill in hand to inform you that I am at Seamus’s cabin with Uncles Quasi and Angus. Timothy escorted me here a week ago. I had received a message from Quasi asking that I come, as they felt my presence might be of value in Seamus’s recovery.
When we arrived here on the 18th inst., we were met by the flock of sheep halfway up the mountain and guided to the cabin with Mother Ewe in the lead. She was very excited and seemed to be quite irritated when we could not keep up her pace up the trail. The whole flock was constantly “baa-ing” excitedly. When we arrived at the cabin, Quasi and Angus met us on the porch and could hardly contain themselves. We were quite pleased and excited, ourselves, for the reception we were getting!
...or so we thought!
It turned out that the reason for so much joy was not for us, but rather was for Seamus. He had opened his eyes that very morning and looked first at Quasi, who had just given him another dose of the amber liquid, and then at Angus. Then he smiled...just a faint one, but a SMILE! The Mother Ewe bleated loudly and ran out into the yard very excitedly “baa-ing” and bleating and ran amongst the others who took up the excitement, too, until the cacophony filled the forest. Then the Mother Ewe stopped, turned her head toward the south, and started down the mountain, with the flock following, to where we encountered them. Somehow she knew we were there...I will never know how!
Quasi took Timothy and me into the cabin to where Seamus was laying in his bed. I was not prepared for what I saw, Flags. He laid there peacefully asleep, but the sight of him was quite upsetting. He has wasted away to nothing but skin and bones, his beard and hair are long, and the place where the musket ball ripped into his skull is just a large torn depression. It looks as though half his forehead is gone. I began to swoon. My knees went weak and I dropped to the floor. Timothy and Quasi caught me or I would have fallen right on him, I fear.
I took his hand in both of mine and held it to my cheeks, which by now were wet with tears, and I cried, “Oh, Seamus! I am here now, my love. I am here and I will not leave until you leave with me.” As I held his hand close, I felt a faint twitch in it, Flags, and I am convinced that he knew I was there.
In the days that have passed, I have sat beside his bed and held his hand, gently stroking it and talking softly to him hours upon hours. I sleep next to him in the rocking chair. I have begun to feed him some strong broth each day in the morning and in the evening. Quasi still gives him that amber liquid. I have no idea what it is, and he will not say, but whatever it is, it has worked and continues to do so. Seamus’s color appears better; he seems stronger. I have cut his hair and shaved him, but he still looks like a skeleton. That, too, will pass, I am sure. But...one step at a time.
Timothy must return to the fort and his job in the Commissary today. Captain Trump was very generous in allowing him the time to bring me here. I must close now so he can take this message with him.
I understand that you will be coming soon for the hunt, Flags. I am anxious to see you and hear more about your wedding and Magdalena. I cannot wait to meet her! My own wedding will wait for awhile until I...we...can get this man of mine back on his feet.
My fondest regards to you and Magdalena,
Nancy