I introduced him to August. "What is happening, Lieutenant?" I said. "Has there been more trouble?"
Freddie Ashford was not an appealing man; but as he spoke, his narrowed eyes looking toward the crowd of men, I felt that he was in a position to know that of which he spoke. "The bandits have grown in number," he said. "They have terrorized the entire Wateree and Camden districts. The governor really should offer the fort's protection. Our commander has repeatedly requested he be permitted to march against the outlaws, but it has not been granted. Yet, there would be no question of it if the Creeks were to begin a rampage." He paused, and looked at us. "The people will be forced to raise a militia," he said.
"But surely," I said, "a militia will be the most effective means to resist."
"Let us hope it to be so," said Freddie.
Kevin came striding quickly toward us from the direction of the crowd. He bowed to us and to Freddie. "Ladies, let us go another way," he said.
"What's happening?" I asked him, as we turned down Water Street, leaving Freddie behind. "Is the governor going to answer the petitions at last?"
"The Chief Justice is speaking to him," said Kevin; "perhaps he will be persuasive enough."
I felt my breath growing short as I thought of Robbie, there in the back country, joining the militia to go against the bandits; but steadied myself. A militia for the district would surely be advantageous. There was safety in numbers, was there not? I pushed the thought from my mind and said, "Let us visit Mrs. Townshend's tea house! I should love a taste of her crumpets!" and we spoke of other things.
The weather grew cold; on the way home from Charles Town it was quite miserable, with a slow and freezing rain. We were happy to stop at Shannon's Loch, to leave August, and to warm ourselves. The visit was brief; we could not allow the horses to stand for too long in the cold. We took a hasty tea before continuing on to Brianag. Soon Kevin and my father and I were again on the road.
Thoughts of the back country again intruded upon me; I wondered where Robbie was, and if the family at Barraigh was quite safe. The voices of the men in the street that day came back to me. Surely the governor would send someone to assist them, if the situation was so grave. I wondered if something particular had happened to stir the men in Charles Town. I suddenly wished fervently that Robbie was safely home at Brianag.