Part One – 1700's
"We have no choice Garrett! We have to go or we will ALL be killed!"
"And what's to say that those who go won't be caught?!"
"That's a risk we have to take. But if we reach America and find these Indians then maybe we can get the help we need!"
"It's this or stay here and die Garrett."
"I don't like it, I'd much rather stay here!"
"Then stay here, and whoever else won't go, at least then there will be someone here when we return. Now I'm organising an expedition, I want all men brave enough to go plus as many slaves as we can take with us, the bigger the party, the better chance we have of reaching our destination." I slid down the wall and ran back to the cottage I shared with my mother and father and told her what had been decided. She immediately set to packing our things and I did the same. We took clothes and any necessities we needed plus any valuables we couldn't bare to leave behind and the rest we locked up in a trunk and would get father to bury it in the back yard for when we got back. That was how he found us, all packed and ready to leave.
"And where do you think your going?"
"With you. You don't expect us to let you men go off on your own? Half of you can't even cook!"
"And you think I'm just going to let you both come?"
"You can't stop us. It's our village too and we want to help by coming with you. Besides, we don't want you to leave us." I saw him smile then and I knew we'd both won.
"All right dear heart, you can come, and you too daughter."
"Thank you father."
"But you and any other women coming have to wear trous and dress as men so as not to draw attention to us." Mother was shocked at the idea but ran off to tell the other women who were no doubt doing as we were. I just smiled, hugged my father good night and slipped into my bed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.