| Subject: The New World - Part #54 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 20:34:08 07/02/03 Wed
PART #54
Hearing the approaching horses, Bow looked out; and said, “I recognize one of the men as a deputy who was here yesterday.” He walked outside to greet the men, and they said, “The Doucettes and Jean Pierre Boudreau never came to the storage building. We’ve waited all this time, and nothing has happened.”
Bow gave a low whistle, and said, “I don’t like the sound of that. That must mean they did suspect something amiss while they were here at the plantation. I don’t know what would have caused the suspicion. When they left here, they rode in the direction of the storage building. Do you think it is possible they saw some of the deputies out there?” One of the men answered, “We don’t know what happened; no one saw them.”
Bow thought for a few moments, then said, “I have a feeling we will see them again. They will probably be coming back here for we told them Joshua would return today. They have business to discuss with him, so I look for them to come back to see him. They did not know that Joshua had been killed a few weeks ago, so they will be looking for him.”
One of the deputies said, “If you believe that is going to happen, then we had better keep some men here. You will not be safe if they do appear.” Bow instructed them to put their horses in the barn, and position themselves within the buildings, and especially the back side of the main house that led to the woods. He felt they would come in from that direction to avoid being detected.
Bow said, “I have to see to it that the women and children here at the plantation are out of harm’s way.” The men began to disperse, and Bow returned to the main house, and gave instructions to Catherine for all the women and children to go to the top level of the plantation house. They were to take some food and water with them, and they were to stay there until they were told it was safe to return to their normal routine.
Catherine called together all the women, and told them what Bow had instructed. She called Cook, and instructed the kitchen crew to take loaves of bread, some dried meat, jams, jelly, and whatever else they thought the children would enjoy for the day. Mothers were instructed to get whatever games and books they thought would occupy and keep the children quiet. The men carried containers of water up the stairs to the top level. All the children were getting excited for they felt this was going to be a fun time; for Miss Catherine had promised to tell them some stories.
When the last person had gone up the stairs, Bow asked, “Catherine, are you feeling all right?” She answered, “I don’t have time to think about how I am feeling now. There are more important things to consider. Please be careful. You know how dangerous these people can be.” Bow smiled, “I will be careful Catherine, for I want to be here for the birth of that baby. I want you to be careful too; I did put a gun in the closet of the large room facing the south. It is on the top shelf where the children should not be able to see it. It is loaded, Catherine. If worse comes to worse, you may need to use it for protection. If you don’t need to use it, then please don’t let anyone know the gun is there.”
Catherine said, “Do you expect that much trouble from two people?” Bow said, “Catherine, since the Doucettes did not show at the storage building yesterday, I am fearful they have called in some of the pirates from their ship. They are all known for their brutality. If what I fear does come to pass, we may have a tough battle on our hands.” Catherine’s eyes became large, as the realization of the situation became clearer. She said, “Bow, would it be all right if Manobo is with us?” Bow smiled; and answered, “I have already sent for him, and instructed him to be with you. He will have two guns with him. He will stand guard at the top of the stairs.”
Catherine started to go up the stairs, then turned around and came back to Bow, and put her arms around him. She lifted her face to his; and whispered, “I love you.” Bow gathered her close, kissed her lips, and said, “I love you too, now get up those stairs.”
To be continued...
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