I'm posting up this chapter tonight because I'm in college now and I don't know when I can post the next chapter. I think that from now on, I will try posting my chapters on Fridays because I have no classes on Fridays. I will try my best to work on that. Wish me good luck for college! Please, please leave a review when you are finished. It really makes me feel good when I read a review. It keeps me going to write this. Thank you again! :-D
*Month Later*
I begin to keep in touch with Anne Howard, and we became good friends. She invited me to stay with her and her folks for couple of days.
I thought it was a fine idea; to get away and to spend time with my dear friend. So I asked Aunt Charlotte's permission and she was hesitant at first, then she decided it was alright for me to leave for couple of days.
So I packed and said goodbye to the children and began my journey to her town.
Well, it took two days to get there but I didn't mind at all. I was just so excited to see her again.
When I got there, the weather was gloomy, and to my horror, there were three lifeless bodies hanging off the big oak tree!
I got out the carriage and Anne rushed to me, explaining about what happened. She mentioned that everyone in town is going to the church to pray for the dead men.
I had to unpack my clothes in a hurry and put on my church dress.
We got into the church and I sat next to Anne, and she sat next to her parents.
The Reverend begin to pray for the dead men.
We were singing an hymn, "God Save Us".
I was so focused on on the Reverend that I could see Anne looking at something out of corner of my eye, so I wanted to see what she was looking at.
I gasped softly. It's Gabriel.
He had entered in the church. We reached the end of the hymn and we all sat down.
"Reverend, with your permission, I'd like to make announcement." said Gabriel.
"Young man, this is a house of God." said the reverend.
"I understand that, Reverend. I apologize. The South Carolina Militia is being called up. I'm here to enlist every man willing."
The congregation begin to look around.
The reverend begin to walk down from the stand.
"Son... we are here to pray for the souls of those men hanging outside."
"Yes, pray for them. But honor them by taking up arms with us."
I was trying to calm myself down because it was taking me back to Thomas' death and everything that had happened.
A man stood up. "And bring more suffering to this town?"
Another man spoke out. "If King George can hang those men, he can hang any one of us."
Anne became furious.
"Dan Scott... barely a week ago you railed for two house about independence."
The congregation begin to murmur.
"Anne?" the reverend says with a surprised look on his face.
Anne stood up.
"Mr. Hardwick, how many times have I heard you speak of freedom at my father's table?" she says, looking at him.
Then she turned around and faced the congregation, continuing speaking.
"Half the men in this church, including you, Father... and you, Reverend... are as ardent patriots as I. Will you now, when you are needed most, stop at only words? Is that the sort of men you are? I ask only that you act upon the beliefs of which you have so strongly spoken... and in which you so strongly believe."
Gabriel and Anne looked at each other. He nodded at her.
"Who's with us?" Gabriel says.
One young man stood up.
Soon, few men stood up.
We stood outside and said our goodbyes to the men who volunteered. It made me sad because the men are leaving their family behind, not knowing if they will see their family again.
I was standing next to Anne when I overheard Gabriel talking to Mr. Howard.
" Mr. Howard... uh... Sir... May I have your permission to write to Anne?"
"Eh?" Mr. Howard says, putting his horn into his ear so he could hear Gabriel. I giggled at the sight.
"May I have permission to write to Anne?" He repeated himself.
"Yes. You have permission... to write me." Anne says to her Father.
"Oh. Write her." said Mr. Howard.
"Yes, Sir."
"Very well."
"Thank you, Sir." Gabriel walked away.
The reverend begin to walk to the horses. Mr. Howard was confused about that so he called out reverend.
Reverend turned around and looked at us. He takes off his wig and put on his hat.
"A shepherd must tend his flock. And, at times, fight off the wolves."
Anne and I smiled at him.
The men begin to leave and Gabriel looked back at Anne.
I stood behind her, as she walked forward to watch Gabriel leaving.
The children begin to laugh, running after them.
I stayed with them for about a week and decided to come home. As I was coming home, I was thinking about everything.
I thought to myself
What is going to happen to me? What is in my future?
I couldn't help but feel that something special is going to happen to me.
I know it's short, but at least it's something I can do now... I am posting up another chapter tomorrow. Please leave a review! Thanks!