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When we last encountered Captain Peanut Butter, he had agreed to accompany Lafayette to Philadelphia to meet with the Continental Congress. Lafayette hired a Frenchman fur trapper as a guide.
Captain Peanut Butter will take the narration for this portion of the story.
The crew and I returned to our camp. Ana was waiting by the fire with a look of anticipation.
“Let’s take a walk,” I said.
Ana didn’t say anything. She simply rose and took my hand.
“I have some difficult news to share,” I said.
“I saw it on your face,” Ana replied. “Are you going to break your promise?”
“I am not. But I have agreed to something you will not like. We are going to accompany Lafayette to Philadelphia to talk to the Continental Congress.”
“To what purpose?”
“As we hope to make this country our home, I feel I should assist in their endeavor to gain independence. Only temporarily. Lafayette believes they will offer us citizenship and land in exchange for our efforts.”
“How long is temporarily?” Ana asked.
“One year.”
Ana let go of my hand and turned to face me. “A year!”
“I plan to sail for a month and then take a month off, so we will spend plenty of time together.”
“But you promised you would stop pirating.”
“I will be sailing as a member of the navy. And we will only be capturing shipping vessels.”
“There is a fine line between that and pirating.”
“I agree, but my heart tells me it is the right thing to do. Think of it. A country without a King where citizens vote for their rulers instead of being oppressed by them. I want to live in such a land.”
“I care not for politics. I want us to farm together and raise a family. As you promised.”
“I know. It is my desire also. But I believe this is the best way to achieve that.”
“And if you are lost in a battle? What then? I will be all alone in a foreign land. I did not agree to this.”
“Nothing is decided. The Continental Congress may not agree.”
“Or they may very well arrest you as a pirate.”
“That is not likely. They need help.”
Ana sat down in the sand. “Go back to your crew. I need to be alone.”
I knew there was nothing more I could say. “I love you, Ana.”
“Go,” Ana replied.
Barrelhoop saw me return alone.
“I am guessing it didn’t go well,” he stated.
“You could say that. I think she will come around eventually.”
“It is a hard thing you are asking of her.”
“I know. And it pains me to do it.”
“You’re sure it be the right thing?”
“Of course not. But my instincts tell me it is.”
“Well, your instincts are the best of anyone I know.”
“I hope you are right.” I wasn’t so sure.
Lafayette walked over to our camp.
“I see you told your fiance.”
“I did.”
“May I talk to her?” Lafayette asked.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Ana is quite upset.”
“Sometimes a stranger can be a welcome ear.”
I thought about it for a moment. “Very well.”
Lafayette will tell this portion of the tale.
I approached Ana and sat next to her, a respectful distance away.
“Your name is Ana, is it not?”
“It is.”
“Please call me Lafayette. I understand you and Captain Peanut Butter hope to start a new life here.”
“That is what I thought. Now, he plans to go to war.”
“I suppose I am to blame. I told him of my plans and asked him for his assistance.”
Ana didn’t say anything.
“The Captain tells me you know Baron Britpop Blastfurnace,” I said. “We met at the Palace of Versailles and became fast friends. I did not know at the time that he had traveled with your beloved. When I heard that Britpop was arrested as a pirate and refused to escape Versaille without Captain Peanut Butter, I knew the Captain must be honorable. After talking to him, I believe it even more. When I told my wife I was leaving for The Colonies, she was justly upset. She asked how I could leave her and our two daughters to fight a war for another country.”
“You have children? You are just a boy.”
I smiled. “I am nineteen. My marriage was arranged. But I love my wife and children more dearly than life.”
“Then how could you leave them?”
“It is hard to explain. I suppose my heart told me I must, that I could not live with myself if I did not. I did not do it lightly. I disobeyed my King’s orders. I could be considered a traitor, but my conviction was that strong.”
Ana studied my face but did not reply.
“I believe Captain Peanut Butter is also a man of strong convictions. That he must follow his heart. Perhaps it is fate, or instinct, or divine guidance. I know not. But I believe we all have roles to play in this life, and play them, we must. To do any less would only lead to regret.”
Ana remained silent.
“I have taken enough of your time. Thank you for your company,” I said and stood.
As the sun began to set on the horizon, Ana returned. She sat beside Captain Peanut Butter and put her head on his shoulder.
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I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, typo catches, etc. Thank you.
Mark
"I did not agree to this.”
"Ana returned. She sat beside Captain Peanut Butter and put her head on his shoulder."
Ana is feisty for a woman of the 18th century, but she is, after all, a woman of the 18th century, and clearly understands who's the boss.
Can't wait to see where this is going!