Post by faithfulguardian on Nov 3, 2011 22:36:05 GMT -5
William
William slumped his shoulders in the birchbark canoe as his father disappeared behind them. He knew that it was only a matter of time that he be sent off without Nathan Wolfe, but somehow the world seemed darker already.
He had gone off on missions alone before, but never for more than a day, and this one was going to take at least a week. Even though he had his mother's relative with him, the Iroquois man named Raven Hair, or Gabriel, in his Christian name, was a new acquaintance and Will found himself uneasy without more friends. they were off to do some trading by the border, that much he knew, but with who, he was too nervous to ask. could it be Americans? he ran through in his mind what his father had said to him before departing.
"You'll be just fine, son, I have faith in you." His father had said before they separated at the docks. "you and Gabriel will be meeting up with some men down by the border while I finish our business up in Montreal. Gabriel knows this route like the back of his hand, and your navigational skills are growing with every trip you make." Nathan had laid a hand on his son's head and ruffled his long brown hair so that some of it came loose from the cue. Will shook free of the big trader's leathery hand and smoothed it down again. His father became serious again. "now remember, we should be arriving at the Big Bend in 7 or 8 days, If you get there before us, don't worry, we'll not be far behind."
Will had nodded as he climbed into the front of the canoe, piled high with beaver and fox pelts, he picked up his paddle and prepared to shove off with Gabriel in the back.
"Don't forget, If you run into trouble, use your head. and if you get lost, follow your nose." His father had smiled then, that few-toothed grin Will had come to love, a gleam of four yellowish beads behind a bushy black mustache and beard flecked with grey. to him, it meant everything was going to be fine. that comfort and the words of wisdom brought him the strength to push off. out into the wide river, heading off into the unknown.
He smiled. Yes, he could do this. after all, what could go wrong? this was his forest.
"Nathan tells me you sing." his companion spoke after a few hours of silence. Will jumped at the sound and turned in the canoe.
I do. My father also tells me you know where we're going." he said back at the man, surprised at his own confidence.
Gabriel smiled loosely. "Just over the border. A man in New York, special order."
Will turned back to face the front, not wanting to show Gabriel his worry. New York? the colony wasn't far from them, only another day's paddling, but it was where the war was.
"sing now. a paddling song." came the command from behind him. Will set his paddle to a tune in his head and began.
"My love was born in Aberdeen,
The boniest lad that e'er was seen,
But now he makes our hearts fu' sad,
He takes the Field wi' his White Cockade.
O he's a ranting, roving lad,
He is a brisk an a bonny lad,
Betide what may, I will be wed,
And follow the boy wi the White Cockade."
The boniest lad that e'er was seen,
But now he makes our hearts fu' sad,
He takes the Field wi' his White Cockade.
O he's a ranting, roving lad,
He is a brisk an a bonny lad,
Betide what may, I will be wed,
And follow the boy wi the White Cockade."