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Show 7/ My Billy, the Patriot again; they were so filthy, torn and bloodstained. A lot of these wounded privates were young like me. Suddenly I felt sick and began to cry and to wonder how i could ever have thought of leaving the house when t^illy might come while 1 was gone. I picked up my skirts and ran. Turning into Ann Street, I saw the most beautiful sight. The skinny bag of bones was tied to our post. Billy was carrying a loaf of bread from the pantry when I ran in. He dropped it and pulled me into the comfort of his strong arms, but an instant later he pushed me away. "Now, put together only what you absolutely must take to Roxbury and do it as fast as you can." "Oh Billy, not tonight. You didn't see a bed last night and I didn't sleep and that poor horse is dead on his hoofs. Besides, how can we get through the town gates?" "Calm down.We'll make it if we go now. Hundreds of people are milling around on the Neck. Tories want to get in to be protected by British guns. Patriots want out, to avoid their guns. Right now the Regulars are shocked helpless by what happened today but any minute they might come to, and close the gates. We want to be on the outside before that happens. "Billy, will you stay on the farm with me? You could help Father raise food for the Patriots." He slowly shook his head. "No Love, I'm sorry, that's not my cup of tea. A man does what he has to do in order to live with himself. My job is with the Minute Men who are collecting by the thousands in Cambridge and Charleston. I must find Dr. |