splinter. “She’s the daughter of an American sympathizer, Billy!”
“What about you? You’re an American!”
“I was an American, but I’m not anymore. It’s bad enough I had to beg the Crown for this three hundred acres of useless land, but to have to endure the likes of her and her father as neighbours — that’s unbearable!” Adam got up and started for the door.
“I’m going to marry her whether you like it or not!” Billy cried, scrambling off the porch.
“You do and I’ll disown you!” Adam shouted.
Suddenly, Billy halted and turned toward his father. “Then find another son.” After that he disappeared into the darkness.
There was an uncomfortable quiet until Adam glanced at Levi. “I want you to stay over and keep an eye on Billy for a few days. If the Americans get this far, Billy’s liable to do something stupid.”
“I ... I got my own family to look after, Pa.”
“This is your family,” Adam growled. “Just do it.” He went back into the house, slamming the door behind him.
At Burlington Heights, situated between the lake on one side and a marsh on the other, the British Army had turned a farm into a fortress. Earthworks were built and eleven guns were stationed behind them. The fields were cleared, trees were felled, and fences were broken to provide a clear firing range should the Americans attack.
Inside a marquee tent, General Vincent sat at a desk with his head in his hands, staring at a piece of paper reviewing the numbers and names of the men killed, wounded, and captured at Fort George. He shoved the papers away, dipped a quill into an ink jar, and scribbled: “This position, though strong for any large body, is far too extensive for me to hope to make any successful stand against superior force understood to be advancing against me.”
Vincent closed his private journal, retrieved a fresh piece of paper, and began to write his last will and testament, but stopped when there was a disturbance outside the tent. It burst open as a bedraggled, unshaven man in his late forties barged past the sentries.
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