Origins_Revolution by Mark Henrikson

Author:Mark Henrikson [Henrikson, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26: Shot Heard Round the World

“How about jaws or laws, they rhyme?” William suggested as the two continued their ride toward Concord.

“Now you’re just getting desperate,” Paul volleyed back. The joke had been running on for a half hour now and was getting a bit long in the tooth. Still, it beat riding in silence, and at one in the morning they certainly needed something to keep them awake. Just then, he heard the loud snap of a twig from behind them.

“Did you hear that?” William asked with a voice now alert with concern.

“I sure did,” Paul answered in a low whisper turning around in his saddle to have a look. “I think I see a rider about a quarter mile back.”

“At this hour? It’s got to be another patrol.”

“Maybe, but a single rider? Let’s pull off and hide behind that row of trees up ahead.”

A few minutes later, the hollow thump of shod hooves striking packed dirt grew louder and louder. Had they continued on, Paul would have done nothing, but the moment he heard the cadence begin to slow on approach, he drew his pistol. He cocked the flintlock back with an echoing snap in the quiet night and stepped out into the open taking careful aim.

“Not another step closer,” Paul ordered of the shadowy stranger. “Who are you, and why are you following us?”

The rider immediately threw his hands up in surrender. “Whoa, now hold on there, son. I heard something in the trees and thought you might be bandits waiting to rob me. You’re not are you?”

“No, we’re not gonna rob you. We thought you might be part of a patrol group, so we hid.”

“Wait, I know that voice I think. Paul, is that you? It’s me, Sam Prescott.”

“Doc?” Paul asked in surprise. “Doc Prescott? What the devil are you doing way out here? Your office is in Concord. You pulled one of my teeth there just last week.”

“Paying a house call,” the man answered in a boastful tone and a mischievous grin.

“I see,” William said as he stepped out from behind the trees holding the reins of their two horses. “It appears her physical examination ran you well past curfew.”

“I am a professional after all. My ethics require that I be thorough.”

That drew a laugh from Paul as he took his horse from William and stepped up into the saddle. “I trust the lady was adequately satisfied?”

“Do you even need to ask?”

“It does appear that she kicked you out afterwards. A truly satisfied patient would have let you stay the whole night, wouldn’t she,” William teased on the way into his own saddle.

“I have appointments in the morning and needed to get back. Are you going to Concord as well?”

“That’s where we’re headed,” Paul confirmed. “Do you want to ride along with us; better safety in numbers?”

“I’d like that,” Doc Prescott answered and continued west on the road. “The company of a fine woman has me out this late, what excuse do the two

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