August 23, 1777 #2
Abagail stepped away from the window ledge where she had been keeping her vigil. She asked, even though her lips trembled, “Be it true? Are you really freeing me?” Slowly, she crossed the room toward Mr. Wilson, pausing only to look down at the paper.
“I be determined to do this,” he said. “It be the least I can be doin’ for my country. It is I who is now indebted to thee, Miss Abagail. Indeed, perhaps one day the entire country will know and honor yer bravery. Now, gal, I be askin’ thee to watch as I put this terrible contract into the fire.”
And, so saying, Mr. Wilson thrust the document into the fireplace, and as Abagail watched the flames destroy the parchment, a feeling of wonder shivered within her. She was free now? Truly free? But, there was still a matter she needed to know in more detail, and she asked, “You say Skenan talked to you about this?”
“That he did, ma’am. That he did, makin’ sure I knew what it cost thee to be makin’ the journey through enemy territory.”
Tears filled her eyes, but they were tears of joy. Skenan had done this for her. Skenan had taken the time to sway this man into setting her free. She said, “I hardly know what to say, Mr. Wilson, and I hope my saying ‘thank you’ will convey my gratitude. I will remember you forever.”
“And, I, you,” said Mr. Wilson.
“Mr. Wilson, I have a question for you, though I already asked it of you. But, I need to ask it again. Have you seen Skenan? I mean, I should thank him, too.”
“I be not seein’ the lad here today, mind ye. Not here at the fort. But, he came to the inn a day or two ago, and we had a good little talk, him doin’ most of the talkin’ now. Now, if thee do not object, I must be leavin’ ye fer a time. I’ll be needin’ a new manager and waitress, and there be many a gal here at the fort who might like the position. It be the other reason I be at the fort this day. I thank thee, Miss Abagail, fer what thee did fer me and fer this new country.”
And then, placing his tricorne hat back upon his head, he turned and, opening the bastion’s door, walked out.
Abagail stood frozen for a moment, hardly knowing what to think. She was free…free at last. She pinched her arm, if only to ensure she wasn’t dreaming.
Then another thought crossed her mind. Indeed, if she were free, was she now free to accept Skenan’s invitation to become a part of his family, taking the place of his sister? Was it possible? She, who had been alone for so long, could be a part of his family?
Where was Skenan? Seriously, where was this man?
She had to find him, and when she did, she would muster up the nerve to ask him if he might consider again making her a part of his family.
Hadn’t Mr. Wilson said Skenan was back in the fort, but he simply hadn’t yet seen him? Well, she was going to ask others about him, and if he were here, she was going to tell him the good news. Perhaps some of the other Indians in the fort might know where he was.
Filled with sudden energy, she threw open the door and stepped quickly through it, only to run into someone or something. Recognizing a familiar and clean masculine scent, she gazed up into the countenance of the man who might—were he still willing—become her new brother.
She asked, “Oh Skenan, where have you been? I have missed you very much, and I have so much good news to tell you.”
He grinned at her before he said, “My good friend, Colonel Gansevoort, sent me on a very secret scouting mission among the Mohawk and Seneca. I fear I could tell no one, not even you, where I was going or even that I was leaving. I had to collect information, you see, and then rendezvous with Lieutenant Colonel Willett and General Benedict Arnold. But, I am back now. I have come here now seeking you. Did you know there is to be a dance held here in three days to celebrate the victory of keeping Fort Stanwix out of the hands of the enemy?”
“A dance?” she asked.
“Nyoh, yes. But, there is a problem.”
“Oh, what problem could there be? I am certain the dance will be well attended.”
“Perhaps,” answered Skenan. “But, you see, I do not know any of the white man’s dances. And, since you and I are to be honored at this dance, I feel I must learn the steps, for they look complex to me.”
“Of course I will teach you, if that be what you are asking. But, did I hear you right? Did you say you and I are to be honored at this event?”
“I believe so.”
“Oh my, then we had better start learning. Mind you, I do not know all of the steps and hand motions, as well as the promenades, but I know enough so that we could join in perhaps one or two of the dances.”
A strange look came over his countenance, one that seemed to say he was unsure of himself. Skenan uncertain? What folly.
But his voice was confident as he asked, “May I escort you to this dance?”
“Escort me?” she asked without hesitation. “You wish to accompany me to a dance? Here at the fort?”
He cleared his throat, then said, “Since we both entered the fort together, and since we are both to be honored at the same time, I would like to escort you…if you will have me.”
“Of course I will have you. Oh Skenan,” she said, as she took a step toward him. “I have missed you. I cannot tell you how very happy I am to see you again. I had thought…well I don’t know what I’d thought. But, it is all over now. You are here now and we will need every hour of the day to learn at least a couple of the dances. Come in here now and we shall begin to practice them at once. This might also be a good place where we can learn the dances in private.”
“It is good,” he said, smiling at her.
“Yes, indeed,” she replied. “It is good.