Israel saw it first. The fort was overrun with British soldiers so he was already alarmed. Everyone was gathered near the front of the tavern, and so he knew it must be a notice of some kind. His Ma had sent him to the fort for some flour - they were nearly out. He had been surprised to see all the soldiers. He'd never seen so many, and then there was the crowd. He climbed up onto a nearby barrel and slowly read the words. He was, as his Ma often bragged, an uncommon reader for a seven year old. He hated being too small to see, and had to stand on tip-toe. He wished his Pa were here to swing him up on his shoulder - he could see everything from up there. Reading the notice, he realized that his Pa wouldn't be swinging him up on his shoulder any more.
He turned and ran. "Israel!" Cincinnatus called after him. "Israel, wait!" He ran without stopping until he could see the house. Did his Ma know? Would he have to tell her? He felt frightened and unsure. He looked up and saw his own yard filled with redcoats. Two of them were stepping up onto the front porch. His mother stood in the doorway, a rifle in her hands. He ran to her then, his feet hitting the porch, at almost the same time the Sergeant spoke The Words to her.
"You will get off my porch, now!" She spit the words out. Israel had never, ever seen her so angry. He could see Jemima standing behind her, holding onto her skirt, eyes wide and teary.
"You hear her, git!" He said as he came alongside them. They peered down at him and laughed. He was used to that. People often mistook his smallness for weakness. He hauled back and kicked the nearest soldier hard as he could in the shin. "You better get off this porch. My Ma's the straightest shot around these parts - no one can out shoot her, except maybe my Pa."
"Well, son, I got some news for you, now there's nobody who can out shoot her." He smiled menacingly.
"I ain't your son." Israel replied, standing between the soldiers and his mother and sister.
The Sergeant turned to the officer who'd been speaking to Israel and shook his head at him. He turned and looked at Rebecca's angry, determined face and said, "We just thought you should be informed. We'll go, but not far." He said with fierceness. He turned and Israel pushed his mother inside closing the door. He took the rifle from her hands, leaning it against the door. She collapsed where she was covering her face with her hands. Even then she didn't cry, just sat silent with her face buried in her hands rocking. She drew in a breath and looked up at her children, ready to speak.
"They put up a notice by the tavern. It says he was a traitor to the crown. It says terrible lies, Ma. You ought'n go read it, ever. It says . . ." Israel couldn't say the last part. The soldiers had already said it to her. "But we don't know it's true. Mingo and Yad aren't back yet. They might've found him, Ma." Her eyes filled with tears and she nodded. Jemima sat down next to her and she pulled both of them into her arms.
"We'll just wait then." She said fighting back tears. "Its only been three weeks, why he's been gone longer than that just going fishing."
"Ma," Mima's voice was frightened. "He'll be alright."
"Ain't a man alive that can lick, Pa." Israel said encouragingly. She gave him a weak smile, kissing his cheek. Then releasing him she said, "Israel Boone, you better mind your temper! You can't go around kicking soldiers! There must be at least a dozen soldiers out there!"
"Me? You were ready to shoot those two on the porch!"
She stood slowly, pulling them both up with her. Israel watched his mother cross the cabin and turn to the fire where she'd been cooking. She stirred the pot slowly. He and his sister stood still, frightened. She saw them watching her.
"You two are gonna stare a hole right through me. Mima, bring me my Bible. Lets take turns reading it aloud. That always makes me feel better." Her voice was teary and Israel could see her brush a hand across her face quickly before turning back to the fire. Mima ran to her parent's room to get the Bible and Israel wanted to put his arms around his mother. She seemed small, and breakable.
"Israel, can you manage to get me some kindling without attacking those soldiers out there?" She asked.
He looked at his mother standing so strong and steady. He determined to be just as brave as her. "I can do anything you ask me to." He said seriously.
She smiled at him then, a real smile. "Oh," She said drawing in a breath as tears filled her eyes, "Well, that's because you are your father's son." Her eyes met his, and her look made him feel proud and humble, all rolled up together. "Go on, now." She said softly. He walked tall out their cabin door.