The Shiloh Series: Books 1-3 by Bryant Phillip

Author:Bryant, Phillip [Bryant, Phillip]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2015-06-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Woods Near Germantown, Ohio, August 18, 1862

Will Hunter knew he had been taking a very long chance at stealing a horse from the front door of a house in daylight along a thoroughfare well traveled. Worse, it was a US government horse, and it was in the possession of someone he recognized as one of the Federal officers he’d inadvertently had breakfast with a few days before. He knew he was close to getting out of Ohio, but he was also getting hungry and impatient. A full week of moving stealthily at night with little to eat was tempting his caution.

The man had saved him the choice when he returned and rode off. Bad enough that his situation was unchanged. Worse, he was in trouble with his traveling companions for what he’d done—or what he’d allowed.

Will had known he’d have to do something about Peter Pritchert from the moment the boy started carrying on about being tired and hungry and wanting to go back. He told himself it was for the good of all of them.

When they stopped to rest after Pritchert refused to go on yet again, Will was sitting alone and brooding, having already nearly throttled the boy for his incessant fits of childishness. Stephen and Fredrick were beside themselves as well, tired of the trek and of Peter but not on the brink of doing anything about it. Peter was a pard. But Peter was now refusing to go another step and begging to be left behind.

Will sat, his eyes set hard and his lips drawn into a tight line. They were prisoners of war trying to get away, and it should be every man for himself. Yet, there were decency and the common good to be considered. What was the cost of the latter when freedom was at stake? He was under no obligation to these men.

Will knew what he needed to do, but even if it were for the good of the others also, he also knew they would not accept it. Stephen and Fredrick were looking worried, and he sensed they too were close to just giving up and surrendering to the nearest farm. If he was to keep them going, they would have to leave now—and he’d have to act fast.

Stephen was sitting next to him, studying his hands. The night was pitch-black in the forest, and it only took a few paces before anything a few feet away disappeared in the inky blackness.

That’s when they had heard the rustling in the leaves and the footsteps.

“Thank God, oh thank God; didn’t think I’d find you!”

“Captain?” Stephen said.

Will beheld Jackson Kearns leaning clumsily against a tree. “What are you doing here? Where’s Lewis?”

“Don’t know. Woke up and he was gone. He’s out here somewhere. So I just kept going.”

“You in a bad way, Captain?” Fredrick asked.

“You have any food? I’m starving.” Jackson asked.

“I want to go an’ get some food. Let’s just give up,” Peter said.

“Shut up, Pritchert!” Will barked.

“Hunter, c’mere,” Jackson said and staggered forward a few steps away from the group.

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