The Amish Rebel by Preston Nuttall

Author:Preston Nuttall
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunbury Press, Inc.
Published: 2012-05-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Jacob and his comrades had not eaten or slept in two days. Just climbing the Patrick Henry’s gangplank to her deck proved a chore.

David Two-Feathers had put them ashore on the west bank of the Pamunkey River near West Point. From there they walked several miles before hitching a ride on a lumber wagon headed for Richmond. They arrived in late afternoon.

“I don’t know which to do first, eat or sleep,” said James Morgan.

“No debate here,” said Henry. “It’s either eat or die of hunger in my sleep.”

Soon all four were seated around a table in the galley. Since it was between regular meal times, they had to settle for potato cakes and boiled turnips, all cold. Even so, each devoured a plateful. As they finished, Captain Parker entered and approached them. They pushed back their chairs and prepared to rise.

“Gentlemen, please keep your seats,” he said. “I heard you were here and just wanted to say how glad we are for your safe return. We’ve been worried about you.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Jacob. “I’m sorry the mission wasn’t successful, sir.”

“That was due to things beyond your control, Mr. Buckner. Indeed, I’d like to commend all of you - Mr. Phillips, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Stiles - for a job well done.”

“Sir, may I call your attention to my friend, David Two-Feathers,” said Jacob. “Without him, we wouldn’t have stood even a chance for success. He saved us from capture and a possible firing squad - and in the process lost his home.”

“Please note that in your report, Mr. Buckner, and I’ll pass it on to the Navy Department. Meantime, all of you are excused from duty for the next twenty-four hours, and I strongly advise you to get some sleep. Mr. Buckner, if I may keep you from your bunk a bit longer, I’d like a word with you in my cabin.”

Jacob had intended to speak to the Captain the next morning. Right now it was the last thing he wanted, but such a request couldn’t be declined so he dutifully followed his commander up the passageway and across the deck to the aft section. Sailors and cadets saluted but otherwise paid little heed. Most were not even aware of the mission, much less the role played by Jacob and the others.

“Sit down, Mr. Buckner,” said the Captain as they reached his cabin. “I’d like to hear your opinions about the mission.”

“The enemy knew, sir. They knew about us, they knew about the rendezvous, and they knew when and where it was to take place. Someone betrayed us, sir.”

Jacob tried to speak normally, as if he was saying nothing out of the ordinary, but his jaw flexed continuously as he spoke.

“I suspect you’re right,” nodded the Captain. “We have a report that the Grey Heron was fired on and sunk in the Chesapeake Bay. We don’t know the fate of her cargo or Captain McNulty.”

“Well, if she was fired on, I suppose the sinking could have been accidental,” said Jacob.

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