Safely Home by Nancy Morley

Author:Nancy Morley [Morley, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781491842935
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Published: 2014-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“The sloop is coming,” Edmund called to Constance.

She hurried to the meetinghouse door, her heart beating with excitement. Now she was sure it was Philip coming to spend the summer carrying on his trade in Broad Bay. She knew he wouldn’t spend all of his time in this garrison; however, when he did, they would be able to spend time together.

She hurried to the opening in the garrison to watch the sloop unload. The militia was out ready to stand guard over the unloading. The Indians had burned a ship on the Georges recently and taken some of the crew captive. This made the settlers on the Medomak extra cautious.

She watched as a man swung over the side of the sloop and climbed down the rope ladder and into the small boat that rowed people and supplies to shore. It is Philip, she thought, as she watched a crewman hand a dog over the side. Now she felt certain. Her brother was here and he brought a dog with him. To her surprise a second dog was handed over to him and then a couple of crates were handed down.

The small boat was filled to capacity by the time Philip’s workbench and two large sailcloth bags were added. The tide was full, so the crewman was able to row the boat right up onto the shore above the muddy clay bank of the river.

Philip got out of the boat and as he did, both dogs jumped out to be with him. He turned and took the two crates out. The crewman handed him his workbench and flung the two sailcloth bags onto the shore.

“Give me a push back off,” the crewman called to Philip.

With a mighty push the small boat was floating again and was quickly rowed back to the sloop to bring in supplies for the settlers.

Philip picked up the crate that contained the puppies and walked through the opening in the stockade that surrounded the meetinghouse.

Constance could hardly contain her pleasure. “I see my brother has brought us some dogs.”

“They are what my sister said was needed here as much as shoes.”

The siblings stood smiling at each other, although they didn’t have much time for conversation. Women immediately began telling Philip how many pairs of shoes they needed and children crowded around to have a look at the puppies.

Although nearly everything about living in the garrison was unpleasant, the one good thing was that men who were chosen for the militia received a small stipend which gave them money to spend on things like shoes for their children.

“Would you take care of the dogs, Constance? It seems people are in a hurry for me to get making shoes.”

“You know I will be glad to do that. Have they had any food today?”

“No. They have been chewing on some bones every since we left Boston. I am sure they would like anything you might have to give them.”

“It is wonderful that you were able to bring us six dogs.

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