Ken Jewett's "Valley" Series of Historical Novels published by Ithaca Press Home To the Valley Defend the Valley About guns in Colonial America
Order To the Valley Order Defend the Valley Order both books now Price of Each Book $28.00 US Price of Both Books $56.00 US Questions? E-Mail to Ithaca Press books@ithacapress.com (607) 273-2870		To the Valley by Ken Jewett They left the dock area of Richmond Town and moved through the town to the northwest road toward Gum Spring. By having Aaron along, Edward was freed up to lead the company and he always kept one of the boys at his side as a sort of aide-de-camp, capable of running messages back along the line. This job was to rotate among the boys, giving each a break from leading horses. The little cavalcade attracted attention of the locals, as it had the previous two days. Once they exited the confines of the town, the land opened up to a mixture of tobacco fields and woodlots with a few scattered farm complexes here and there. Lewis was up front as they exited the town. Just before passing the last townhouse, he thought he noticed a change in Edward’s mood. He shifted from carefree to being watchful and a bit distracted. Not that this change was readily apparent, but Lewis knew his brother and could pick up on his watchfulness. Nothing was said, but throughout the morning Edward would drop back to ride trail now and again, falling a good piece behind several times before catching back up. The roads had changed as well. From being mostly sandy, they were now heavily rutted red clay. Lewis could only imagine how bad these roads would be in wet conditions. He was in no hurry to find out just how bad, hoping the dry weather held. With a slight breeze from the east, signs were good for several days of good weather. Still, the rutted conditions made for poor footing for the horses and not a very comfortable ride as a result. The boys were having a great time, now that they could look forward to some break in the monotony of leading the horses. Lewis had to admit Edward’s idea had been a good one. It had also resolved a future issue, Charles feeling very left out by having been left behind on the boat. This could have led to further isolating him from the other two, who were already closer to each other than Charles was to either of them because of his previous sojourn in Boston, the other two occupying the same house in Rowley. During the noon halt, longer than normal so all could rest and a meal prepared, Edward announced it was time to break out the guns. "From now on we need to carry our arms across the saddle, in readiness. So, Lewis, let’s break them out of the packs along with our horns and pouches. Boys, I want you to load a heavy load of buckshot, you too, Aaron. You will use my musket." Lewis came over to Edward as the boys were unpacking the weapons and, in a hushed voice, asked, "Are you sure this is absolutely necessary, Edward? These roads are difficult and I’d hate to see an accident happen." "I haven’t said anything until now, and would prefer the boys not be told, but I fear there may be trouble in the not too distant future. We attracted too much attention as we left Richmond Town, from two I noted in particular."

Ken Jewett's "Valley" Series of Historical Novels

published by Ithaca Press

Order To the Valley Order Defend the Valley
Order both books now

Special Education Battlefield Book

Price of Each Book
$28.00 US
Price of Both Books
$56.00 US

Questions?
E-Mail to
Ithaca Press
books@ithacapress.com
(607) 273-2870

To the Valley

by Ken Jewett

They left the dock area of Richmond Town and moved through the town to the northwest road toward Gum Spring. By having Aaron along, Edward was freed up to lead the company and he always kept one of the boys at his side as a sort of aide-de-camp, capable of running messages back along the line. This job was to rotate among the boys, giving each a break from leading horses. The little cavalcade attracted attention of the locals, as it had the previous two days. Once they exited the confines of the town, the land opened up to a mixture of tobacco fields and woodlots with a few scattered farm complexes here and there.

Lewis was up front as they exited the town. Just before passing the last townhouse, he thought he noticed a change in Edward’s mood. He shifted from carefree to being watchful and a bit distracted. Not that this change was readily apparent, but Lewis knew his brother and could pick up on his watchfulness. Nothing was said, but throughout the morning Edward would drop back to ride trail now and again, falling a good piece behind several times before catching back up.

The roads had changed as well. From being mostly sandy, they were now heavily rutted red clay. Lewis could only imagine how bad these roads would be in wet conditions. He was in no hurry to find out just how bad, hoping the dry weather held. With a slight breeze from the east, signs were good for several days of good weather. Still, the rutted conditions made for poor footing for the horses and not a very comfortable ride as a result.

The boys were having a great time, now that they could look forward to some break in the monotony of leading the horses. Lewis had to admit Edward’s idea had been a good one. It had also resolved a future issue, Charles feeling very left out by having been left behind on the boat. This could have led to further isolating him from the other two, who were already closer to each other than Charles was to either of them because of his previous sojourn in Boston, the other two occupying the same house in Rowley.

During the noon halt, longer than normal so all could rest and a meal prepared, Edward announced it was time to break out the guns.

"From now on we need to carry our arms across the saddle, in readiness. So, Lewis, let’s break them out of the packs along with our horns and pouches. Boys, I want you to load a heavy load of buckshot, you too, Aaron. You will use my musket."

Lewis came over to Edward as the boys were unpacking the weapons and, in a hushed voice, asked, "Are you sure this is absolutely necessary, Edward? These roads are difficult and I’d hate to see an accident happen."

"I haven’t said anything until now, and would prefer the boys not be told, but I fear there may be trouble in the not too distant future. We attracted too much attention as we left Richmond Town, from two I noted in particular."