Hope you're enjoying. Please be sure to review and favorite me if you like. This chapter is about planning for the "visit" of the British forces, conversations between the four protectors, and the first shots of the coming battle. This does stay accurate to the uses of 18th century weaponry, if unfamiliar then here's a fast lesson. Before shooting you had to fill the rifle with some gunpowder, then put a small metal ball AKA bullet down the barrel, then pack it all in with a metal stick. You then cock the weapon and fire then repeat. Long process but that was how war was waged. Also know that muskets were highly inaccurate and snipers did not exist in the military yet. Enjoy the story :)

Chapter 3: The Past Revisited

Samuel gripped the musket. Its unfamiliar shape and weight made him nervous for the coming storm. White had produced seven muskets from a hidden storage compartment in his home. Four had been distributed to each man. The other three were loaded and propped up inside the church. A little "insurance" should things get too close.

"John?" asked Benjamin when given a musket, "Where are these from?"

"Kept a few as… souvenirs back when the war ended," White replied.

"Why?"

He pondered this a few moments then said, "I don't know."

Ben didn't ask any further. He went to his son who was filling his pouch with gunpowder.

"Know how to use that?" he asked pointing to the gun.

"I think so, Father," Samuel replied, "Just… point and pull the trigger right?"

Benjamin nodded. He felt ashamed as a father, to have his boy kill. But then again it was his decision.

"Fill the gun with some powder, put the bullet in and pack it all in with the rod there. Cock and fire."

"I know Father," Samuel said.

"Alright," Benjamin said turning to go.

"Father?"

"Yes?"

"What were the 'old days'? Please just tell me the truth about your past," Samuel said in a pleading voice.

"Very well," Benjamin said, giving in, "I… I fought in the French and Indian War with Doctor White."

Samuel seemed to be stunned.

"Did… did you kill?" he asked.

"Yes."

"And… and what was it like?" the boy asked.

"I don't care to describe it," Benjamin said, "But know this, we only kill to defend these people. We will pray for forgiveness later."

"Yes, Father," Samuel said.

"Alright," Benjamin said and then went to White who was checking his ammunition pouch strapped to his belt. He noticed Ben's approach.

"Benjamin, I think we best strategize with Matthew and your boy," he said.

"Very well," Benjamin said and whistled over the two others who joined them.

The layout of the town was this. A two-story home lay on the outskirts and across from it lay a general store. This formed a sort of pathway that led to the church. More homes and stores mirrored that of the first two buildings. The buildings leading up to the church numbered to about eight. The church was where the pathway ended.

"Matthew how well can you shoot?" asked White.

"Very," he replied, "I can hit target fifty meters away."

"Excellent," White said, "I want you to find a good vantage point on the second level of the house there. I will be below you and if we are about to be overrun I will call you and we will retreat to the next building and so on. Ben and Samuel you will be in the General Store. When you see us retreat then you do the same. If we are pushed back enough we will meet at the church and hold there."

"Do we have any way of escape if the church is overrun?" Ben asked thinking for the safety of his son.

"I have two horses behind the church," White replied, "We'll take them to the nearest town if overrun. Everyone understand?"

Everyone nodded. Benjamin pulled White aside.

"If anything should happen to me I want you to promise me Samuel's safety," Benjamin said with urgency.

"I'll do my best," White said.

"Promise me, John," Ben said grabbing the man's arm.

John White looked into Benjamin's old eyes. The history of war and killing in those two orbs.

"I promise," he said and they shook hands, "Take your positions everyone!"

Matthew sat with his musket laying in his lap. He peered through the window overlooking the plains in front of the town that led to a large forest. He judged the forest's distance from the town to be sixty feet. He sighed. He wasn't sure if he was in shape to fight but he decided that he would avenge his brother's and friends' deaths or die defending the innocent people of the town. White was on the floor below. He took deep breaths. The musket felt familiar. Like a long lost friend come back.

"Lord," he whispered, "I'm sorry for the sins I've committed in my life. The wrong I've done. I'm truly sorry for the deeds of my past. I pray that I will live through this to honor you God. If not then… then I pray you will have mercy upon me. And that I will see your heavenly splendor upon my death. Amen."

Samuel and Benjamin kneeled together in prayer. The bond they shared was strong but unspoken. The love they had for each other was uncommon for father and son but strong and faithful.

"Lead us to the gates of heaven should we die oh Lord. Amen," Samuel said.

"Amen," Ben said.

They both went to the windows. Two benches barred the front door should the British try to breach that way. The back door was their only escape. Benjamin looked at his boy.

"Are you scared son?" he asked.

"No," Samuel lied, his hands shaking slightly.

"It's okay to be. I was scared before my first battle as well."

"Really?"

"Yes. I was shaking and sweating. Thought I would die first."

"What happened?" Samuel asked curiously.

"I hid at first. But then I decided to be brave. That the fear would not consume me. That I would fight for my future."

"I… understand."

"Son?"

"Yes, Father?"

"If I die I want you to run."

"What?"

"You are the most important thing to me now, Son. If I should fall you must run. Run and don't look back."

"Father…"

"Promise me, boy."

"Father…"

"Promise me, Son."

"I… I Promise, Father," Samuel said with tears in his eyes.

Ben nodded and smiled. He gripped the musket so hard his knuckles were white. He took calming breaths. Fear began to grip at his heart when he heard drums. Marching and drums. They were coming. The sun was casting the last of its light upon the town as it slowly disappeared into the distance. Ben heard White making a noise like a bird. An old signal from the war. The British were in sight.

"Father, I see them," Samuel said taking cover below the window.

"Stay down," Benjamin said and stood to his window's side, peeking through.

An officer on his horse rode forward a ways and began to speak, "This town has aided a traitor. If the soldier is not brought forth along with those who assisted this town will be fired upon."

The following silence was excruciating. The four defenders stayed hidden in the buildings. The officer's hateful face grew impatient. One of his brows raised then fell.

"Very well then," he called out.

Just then British soldiers poured from the forest. Their synchronized marching was unnerving to the four men. The officer on the horse turned around and shouted, "Forward men!"

A gunshot sounded through the town. The sun was now gone but the four men could see the officer on the horse fall from his steed, dead. The soldiers all hesitated and stopped marching. Matthew took advantage of their confusion to reload his gun.

"Turn back now!" shouted White with new found courage, "And we will spare you."

A few men laughed within the bulk of the British force. Another soldier stepped forward. A higher ranked soldier than the rest. He turned toward the men and shouted, "Attack!"

The marching resumed. Benjamin brought his musket out and fired. Samuel followed suit and watched as one of the men in the front line fell face first. The dead man's comrade's face was covered in HIS blood. Samuel reloaded slowly, unfamiliar with the process. White fired a shot that brought down a young red coat that couldn't have been much older than Samuel. Matthew was picking off higher ranked individuals in the bulk.

"Fifty feet!" he called out judging their distance from them.

Benjamin hastily prayed that God would protect them.