Chapter 3
Alix threw the load into the wagon; every muscle in her body ached and demanded that she stop. At last, the load was in the wagon, and Alix jumped up, clicking her tongue to the horse. He started off in a trot. And as he did, Alix had the time she lacked to think. Spring was in the air, and Alix knew that with spring, the ice would melt and her secret death would be proven false. She pulled her tri-cornered hat lower over her eyes, and started to hum a song.
"Ho there, boy!" Alix pulled the horse up. And glanced over her shoulder. A red clad British officer stood next to his horse.
"Aye office?" She asked, innocent enough.
He looked up at her. "Do you have any idea of where the Rebels are in these parts?" He asked.
Alix took off her hat and ran her fingers threw her hair. "No sir. Not that I recall."
"What is your name boy?" the officer asked.
Alix grinned "Alixander Clark of the Whitefield Clarks of Maryland." She prayed he would not know the Whitefield Clarks. The soldier looked confused for a moment.
"What is your business here, in South Carolina?" He asked. Alix grinned britened.
"Is it a sin to be in a Colony going about a man's business? Are you the good King to question a loyal subject? Eh?" She asked.
He did not take to kindly to being mocked, and took out his gun. "I ask you again, Mr. Clark of Maryland, what is your business here?" He cocked it, and pointed it at Alix's heart.
"No need to get chafed, good sir." Alix held up her hands, "I am only a lowly man of the cloth, and I am traveling to be with my flock."
The man peered closer at Alix. "Young, aren't we, Reverend?" Alix heard the mocking in his voice.
"Aye, but God says not to be ashamed of your youth, am I not right?" Alix tried to keep the twinkle out of her eyes. He nodded his head.
"Well, Reverend, I suggest you stay off these roads for the next few days. Seeing that you are not from these parts you can be forgiven of not knowing about the Ghost." The soldier cocked an eyebrow. Alix leaned closer.
"Who is this Ghost?" She asked. The soldier swallowed a grin.
"He is a scoundrel we are trying to be rid of. He and his men attack the king's men in the most savage of ways. Ambushes. And the next three weeks any one traveling the roads are considered liable to be a Rebel spy for them. The only reason you were saved was the hat you wore. We are not savages, and we do respect men of the cloth. Say a Prayer for us Reverend, and safe journeys." He nodded.
"May God bless you and Good King George." Alix waved her hand in a blessing, and then drove off. The soldier watched her a few more moments, and finally turned around. Alix made sure he was no longer watching, for she was changing directions.
She cut across the forest trail into the deeper under brush. She knew she would have to abandon the cargo she carried, and just ride the horse. After bumping across roots and rocks, she stopped the panting horse.
"Easy Earl." She whispered, undoing the wagon. "Let's go, boy." She swung onto his back, kicking his sides to get him into a run. She directed him to the swamp.
Once in eyesight of the encampment, she started to yell.
"Gabe! Ben!" The men all gathered around her, to hear the news.
Ben took Earl's reins. "What is going on Alix?" He demanded. Alix tried to catch her breath.
"There is a unit of Lobster backs waiting in the main high way, they are ordered to shoot at any man on the road, and question any woman or child. In hopes to gaining information on us." She panted, falling off the horse. "I left the wagon hidden, and rode to give you the information." Alix landed on her feet, like a cat. "You can't go to town today, Ben." She looked at him. The man had turned into a father figure for her. "They'll kill you!"
"No, Alix, we will kill them." Ben looked off in the distance. "Get ready to ride, boys." He looked back at Alix, "Good job Clark. Now, you had best get Earl taken care of." Alix nodded, but looked back at Ben. "I'm riding with you, sir." She tried to sound bold. But Ben shook his head.
"You are to valuable of a scout, Alix. Your time will come." He turned to talk with Jon, the Frenchman. Alix locked her jaw and pulled the carthorse over to the "stables". Gabe was there saddling his stallion.
"What's eating at you, Clark?" He asked, throwing his saddle over the horse's broad back. He then laughed, "Bet you got the 'Your time will come' speech? Didn't you?" He asked.
Alix nodded her head, walking over to her own stallion. "I did."
Gabe walked over to her. "You know, he is right, you are valuable to us. With you, my father could have been shot today." Gabe shook his head. "Thanks." With that he turned and walked away. Alix watched him, biting her nail.
"Now there is a man, lad." She whispered to her big bay. "I wish I could tell you Gabriel Martin, wish I could tell you that I loved you, tell you I am a girl, tell you everything. But no." Alix leaned against the horse's neck. "No."
Alix heard them all ride off, but she stayed there, alone with her horse. She slipped out only when she knew she was alone. Quietly, she walked threw the camp, looking at everything. Her eyes darted over every thing, until her eyes fell upon Gabe's tent. She walked quietly to it, and pulled open the flap. The wonderful aroma of Gabe filled her nose. She sighed, and the truth of her insanity it her full on.
"I love you Gabriel!" She whispered to the tent. "Please let him know that." She touched the silk of the tent. She started to close the flap, when a piece of cloth caught her eye. She leaned over to pick up, and the dirty red, white and blue filled her with such pride. As Alix unfolded it she could see where Gabe had mended it. Tenderly, she put it back, and went to her own tent. Inside, she had some private possessions, the letter from Nathan, a journal, and newspapers: one with the news of Nathan's hanging and the other of her own death. She laughed sadly. She really was dead. No emotion. No feeling. No nothing.