VOYAGERS! - The Voyager Chronicles
TASTES OF FREEDOM - BOOK 2
(Sequel to Discoveries)
By DA Daugherty (VoyagersFan)
March 2007 (Revised 05/2009)
Previous disclaimers apply

Chapter 13 – JEFFERSON'S RETURN

Unlike the trip to Monticello, the return trip for Bogg and Jeff was very quiet and uneventful, if not boring. As the carriage weaved its way down the road through the vast wilderness, the two Voyagers sat quietly staring out the window, observing nature as it passed them by. By this time, Jefferson had pulled out the lap desk he had brought along and began to make revisions to a draft copy of the Declaration. For hours he sat there deeply engrossed in his work with little regard for his traveling companions. At the end of the first day of travel, Jefferson put down his pen and looked over at Bogg.

"Mr. Bogg! It's finished!" He proclaimed.

"Uh.. What?…Excuse me, sir, but what did you say?" Bogg asked.

"I said, it's finished!"

"What's finished, Mr. Jefferson?" Jeff asked.

"Why the Declaration, of course." Jefferson replied. "I have completed all of the revisions that Congress had suggested and I believe I am ready to write the final draft."

"That's great, sir." Bogg replied. "That's one more step closer to freedom."

"I will need to meet with the committee of five when we get to Philadelphia and let them look at it, but I believe they will be very pleased once they've read it. Now that my task is completed, I believe I'll sit back and enjoy the company of my two friends."

Jeff poked Bogg in the arm and whispered. "It's about time he said something. I was beginning to think he was mad at us or something."

"You said it, kid." Bogg said with a smile.

With this, Jefferson began to make up for his long hours of silence by taking on the role as the group's tour guide. As they traveled through each little township, he would explain its history as well as talk about the well-known people of the area.

As the sun began to set on the horizon, Jefferson, now weary from his travels so far, leaned back in his seat and dozed off.

"Whew!" Jeff whispered. "Thank goodness he's asleep. My ears needed a rest."

"C'mon, kid, lighten up!" Bogg chided. "He was just being considerate."

"Considerate? I can't remember the last time I heard someone talk that long." Jeff whispered emphatically. "Uh, wait a minute. I believe your little talk with me at Plymouth came very close to setting a record."

Bogg turned to his partner with a lowered brow. "Yeah kid. It just seemed long because you were on the receiving end. If you want, I'll be more than happy to do an encore performance for you right now!"

"No, Bogg! That's okay, really." Jeff said rather nervously. "We don't need to revisit that again. I think I got the message loud and clear."

Once again, Bogg just couldn't resist. "You think…YOU THINK you got the message?" Bogg exclaimed in a whisper. "Sounds to me like what I said didn't sink in after all."

"It did, Bogg, really, it did…I promise!!!" Jeff acknowledged.

"It better have, kid." Bogg said as he smiled and winked at his partner.

"BOGG!!!!" Jeff exclaimed as he realized his partner was again pulling his leg.

As the sun began to set on the horizon, Bogg and Jeff, tired from their long day of travel, leaned back in their seats and fell asleep.

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After a couple of days passed, the three finally arrived back in Philadelphia. As the carriage slowly made its way up the narrow street, Jeff, now awake, shook his partner.

"Hey, Bogg! Wake up, we're here!" He prodded.

"What nooooow? Can't you see I'm trying to sleep." Bogg moaned sleepily.

Jeff leaned over and whispered in Bogg's ear. "Bogg, wake up, there's beautiful women all around us."

Bogg jumped from his seat. "WHAT! Where! Where are they, kid!"

"It's about time you woke up." Jeff said as he laughed at his partner. "Sorry, you just missed them, Bogg."

"Funny, kid, very funny. Now that I'm awake, what's the big ordeal?" He asked.

Jefferson, after hearing all of the noise, began to awaken.

"What's all the noise about?" Jefferson asked.

"Well, we're here!" Jeff said as he pointed in front of them. "Look! It's Independence Hall."

"Hey, we've made it, kid! We're back!" Bogg exclaimed.

"Now the real work begins." Jefferson said with an overwhelming sense of burden on his shoulders.

The carriage pulled up to the steps of Independence Hall and stopped. As the driver opened the carriage door and the three emerged, Dr. Franklin and Adams came down the steps to greet them.

"Mr. Bogg, Jeffrey, Mr. Jefferson! Welcome back!" Adams said as he walked over and shook their hands.

"It's good to be back, sir." Bogg said with gratitude.

"We kept our part of the deal. We brought Mr. Jefferson back with us." Jeff said proudly.

"And so you did, young man." Franklin acknowledged. "Welcome back to you all and especially to you Mr. Jefferson."

"Thank you Dr. Franklin, Mr. Adams." Jefferson said as he stood beside them.

Suddenly, Hancock came through the doors and made his way down the steps to the little reunion now taking place.

"Mr. Jefferson! Good to have you back." Hancock exclaimed as he walked up and put a hand on Jefferson's shoulder and shook his hand. "I'm happy you have returned. I could sure use your help."

"Thank you, Mr. Hancock." Jefferson replied. "Gentlemen I have some good news for you. On my way back to Philadelphia, I have completed all of the revisions to the Declaration. We need to meet and discuss the current draft."

"Yes, Mr. Jefferson, we do need to meet. Unfortunately, we have a few more corrections to make as well." Adams stated.

"Mr. Jefferson. Since it is so late in the afternoon, why don't you and your friends go freshen up, get something to eat and a good night's sleep. If it's acceptable to all here, let's all meet back here tomorrow morning and continue our work." Franklin said with some forethought.

"Dr. Franklin, Gentlemen, that would be most acceptable." Jefferson agreed. "Shall we meet here, say around 9 o'clock."

"9 o'clock it is!" Adams replied.

"Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, Adams and I need to get back inside and calm the masses." Hancock said as he politely excused himself.

"Good to have you back, Jefferson!" Adams said as he and Hancock turned and went back inside.

"Dr. Franklin, are you not going to join them?" Jefferson asked, a bit puzzled by it all.

"No. My gout is acting up again." Franklin replied. "I'm going home and put my foot up on a nice soft cushion for a while. I'll see you all in the morning."

"Is there anything we can do for you Dr. Franklin?" Bogg asked.

"Thank you, my dear friends, but no. The best thing for me now is rest." He said with the emphasis of an MD.

You go and rest that foot, sir." Jefferson urged.

"I will." Franklin replied as he gingerly walked away.

Jefferson turned to his traveling companions. "Gentlemen, do you have a place to stay for the night?" He asked.

"No, sir." Bogg confirmed. "Could you recommend some accommodations for us? We don't need anything fancy, just the basics."

"Bogg! What do you mean 'nothing fancy?' We don't want to sleep on a bale of hay." Jeff teased.

"Your son has a point, Mr. Bogg." Jefferson said as he laughed. "Just the basics and nothing fancy…ummm…I know just the place."

Jeff looked over and nudged his partner on the arm. "Ok, Bogg, you wanted the basics, here it comes…I can see it now, a loft full of hay in the local stable."

"Jeffrey!" Bogg shouted as he turned to his young companion with a stern look on his face.

"Mr. Jefferson, I'm sorry for my son's rudeness…" Bogg said as he apologized for Jeff's ranting. "Kid, we'll take care of that mouth later.

Jefferson roared with laughter. "Mr. Bogg, don't be too harsh with the boy. Besides, he's a good lad and has a great sense of humor.

"Lad, as much as I hate to disappoint you, I was thinking of the little inn down the street. They have good food and a warm bed just waiting for you both."

"Yay! A soft, warm bed to sleep in…I can't wait!" He exclaimed.

"Sir, where is this inn located?" Bogg asked.

"It's only a few minutes walk from here on the right side of the street. Be sure and tell the innkeeper I sent you." Jefferson insisted.

"Thank you sir." Bogg replied.

"Thank you Mr. Bogg. And now…I must be take my leave of you. Until tomorrow then." Jefferson said with grace and dignity.

"We'll be there, 9 o'clock sharp." Bogg confirmed.

"Good afternoon to you both." Jefferson said as he walked away.

"C'mon kid. There's a bale of hay waiting for you to sleep on." Bogg teased as he kept a straight face.

"What do you mean? We're staying at the inn." Jeff asked.

"After your little bit of rudeness back there, I'm sleeping in the inn. You are spending the night in the hayloft."

"C'mon Bogg." Jeff said with an overwhelming sense of disbelief.

"No buts, kid! You need to learn to respect your elders. Maybe a good night's sleep in the stable will do it for you." Bogg chided.

"You wouldn't do that to me, would you?" Jeff whined with a sad look on his face.

"Wanna bet?" Bogg quipped.

Jeff stood there looking down at his feet, silent. Bogg put his arm around his partner, looked at him and smiled.

"C'mon kid. I would never do that to you." Bogg reassured as the two walked down the street. "There's a warm, soft bed waiting for us both."