Felicity felt as in a trance, her mind swarmed with fears about Ben's safety. She had heard tales from the men in her father's store of how prisoners were treated. One man, Ketchum perhaps, had told her father that close to 3000 men surrendered at Fort Washington, but only 800 were still alive. She had heard that the captured were often stripped of their clothing and given rags to wear as they were marched through the streets of the captured town.

Felicity did everything in her power to find out about Ben. She prayed for his safe return in church, she went to the tavern to hear if travelers brought news about Ben's regiment, she checked the newspaper for deceased. At times Felicity felt as though there was nothing she could do to save her friend. It was times like these when she would escape to Ben's room in the barn and lie down on his bed and cry, "He can't be dead, he's alive" she told herself over and over again.

Weeks turned into months and the Merrimans had not heard a word of Ben's whereabouts. Felicity refused to give up hope. Back when she was nine she believed that her horse Penny would come back to her, and Penny did. That nine-year old never gave up believing and the fifteen-year-old Felicity was no different. The air turned crisp and the leaves began to fall. September's news was inundated with updates on campaign in North Carolina with Lt. Col. Davie and the English's Banastre Tarleton. The major news that was on everyone's lips during the months of October and November was the campaign in South Carolina, but this news was of disinterest to Felicity, all she cared about was Ben.

"Lissie, you have cried your tears. Ben would not have wanted you to live a mournful life." Elizabeth consoled.

"It's just so hard!" Felicity cried, resting her head in Elizabeth's lap while Elizabeth stroked her hair.

"Lissie, James' family is hosting a small dance in a few weeks, do attend, please. Do try. You need some cheer, it will do you good."

"I can't."

Lifting Felicity's chin and looking straight into her eyes, Elizabeth said with conviction, "Lissie, it would not be disloyal to Ben."

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In attempts to get some real solid history in here, the facts in the first par. are actual accounts documented by Ketchum about the treatment of American prisoners of war at fort washington