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In the previous chapter, Britpop, Andelbert, and Maria had a brief meeting with the King and Queen of France and made plans to visit Paris.
This chapter continues the story of Captain Peanut Butter as he and Lafayette sail up the Chesapeake Bay toward Philadelphia to meet with the Continental Congress and offer their services in the war for independence.
Captain Peanut Butter will continue the tale of his adventures in the United States of America.
We sailed up the Chesapeake Bay until we reached Havre de Grace. There, we dropped anchor, and I called a meeting with the crew.
“Ana and I will accompany Lafayette to Philadelphia to discuss the matter of our service with General Washington. You will stay with The Jellyfish until I return. If I do not return or send news within two weeks, the ship is yours. Do as you see fit.”
“We will wait as long as it takes, Captain,” Barrelhoop said.
“Aye,” everyone said in agreement.
“Very well. I shall attempt to return as quickly as possible.”
Ana and I met Lafayette on shore. Together, we walked toward town. I use the term generously, as Havre de Grace was nothing more than a village with a few small houses. As we neared the first house, a man bearing a musket stepped out of the house.
“We come in peace,” Lafayette said. “I am the Marquis de Lafayette—in the service of Louis XVI, the King of France. I have come to aid in the battle for independence.”
“You might want to keep that last part to yourself. Not everyone here is sympathetic to the rebellion,” the man said.
“I see. May I ask your name, kind sir?”
“Duncan McGuire.”
“Well met, Monsieur McGuire. I was wondering if you knew where we might hire a carriage?”
“A carriage?” McGuire laughed. “This ain’t Paris. You won’t find a carriage in these parts. You need to travel somewhere, you walk or ride a horse.”
“Where might we buy horses, then?”
“Horses are expensive. I don’t know anyone who has one for sale. I suppose you could ask one of the plantation owners.”
Lafayette sighed. “We need to get to Philadelphia. Any suggestions?”
“I got a horse and wagon I use for farming. My boy could take you to Philadelphia if the price is right.”
“How old is your boy?”
“He ain’t really a boy. He’s twenty and married with two boys of his own.”
“And he knows the way to Philadelphia?”
“Like the back of his hand.”
“Then I should like to hire him and your wagon. I am sure we can reach a fair price.”
“You better come in then,” McGuire said and turned back toward the house.
A deal was struck, and we had transportation and a guide for our trip to Philadelphia.
Daniel McGuire, our guide, was a quiet soul. He answered any questions we had with as few words as possible, almost as if he were being charged per word. As time wore on, he seemed to warm up to us a little, but I was still surprised when he asked me a question.
“Pa says you plan to meet with General Washington. Is that true?”
“It is. We want to offer our services in the war for independence.”
“Pa says the British will likely sail to our home, like you did, and we need to be ready to fight.”
“It is possible.”
He looked away and didn’t say anything.
As we neared Philadelphia, it began to rain. To my amazement, we saw an elderly man standing in a field, flying a kite in the rain.
“La vache! It is Monsueir Franklin,” Lafayette said, then told Daniel to stop the wagon.
We got out and walked over to the man.
“Monsieur Franklin, what are you doing out in this weather?” Lafayette asked.
The man recognized Lafayette.
“Lafayette? How astounding. What brings you to my country?”
“I have come to offer my services to General Washington in the fight for independence. As does my companion, Captain Peanut Butter.”
“Well met, Captain,” Franklin said.
“Well met, Sir,” I replied in kind.
With the pleasantries taken care of, Franklin continued. “That is welcome news, Lafayette. Can we count on France’s support of our efforts? Preferably ships and soldiers.”
“I am afraid I come on my own accord. But I hope to make a name for myself and return to France to enlist the King’s support.”
“I see. I am, in fact, sailing to France soon in an attempt to persuade your King of our great need and garner his favor and support.”
“I wish you well in that endeavor. It is my desire also. But I must ask, why are you flying a kite in the rain?”
Benjamin Franklin smiled and said, “Twenty-five years ago today, I conducted an experiment to prove that lightning was, in fact, electricity. I attached a wire to the top of a kite to act as a lightning rod. At the bottom of the hemp kite string, I attached a key and a silk string. I held onto the silk string during the experiment as it would not conduct electricity.
“As a storm approached, the wire picked up the ambient electrical charge of the storm. The charge moved along the wet string and onto the key. When I noticed the fibers of the hemp standing on end, I put my knuckle to the key and received a glorious jolt along with a spark of electricity.
“My experiment was a success. Present day, I place a cheese sandwich at the end of the string. For my efforts, I get an invigorating jolt and a flavourful melted cheese sandwich.”
We all stared at him, not knowing what to think.
Franklin smiled mischievously. “I am jesting. The experiment portion of my tale is indeed factual, but the sandwich portion is not, although I suddenly have a hankering for a cheese sandwich.”
“So why then are you out here?” Lafayette asked.
“It is nothing more than a lark—nostalgia, I suppose. But I shall end my foolishness immediately, for you need to meet the Continental Congress, and I will gladly make the introductions. Come with me, my house is but a short walk.”
We thanked Daniel and wished him well on the ride home. Then, we followed Franklin to his home.
Next Chapter:
I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, typo catches, etc. Thank you.
Mark
Fact: Havre de Grace, where I now live, was surveyed and voted to be the capital, and we lost by one vote to Washington DC.
“You might want to keep that last part to yourself." ha ha ha. I'll say! As for lightning producing a melted cheese sandwich? -- sounds do-able to me. I was thinking that if Peanut Butter history were used in middle-school, kids might pay more attention. Something to think about.