When the men were gathered, all standing in a semicircle and facing Clarke, he began with some humorous remarks. “We’ve come a long way in the last few weeks in findin’ places without gettin’ lost more than half the time, in movin’ through the woods without runnin’ all the rabbits out of Georgia, and loadin’ and firin’ our guns without killin’ the other men in our platoon. I counted twenty-nine men here this morning—thirty if you want to count me—and I reckon most of you have something to eat, your rifles, powder, and balls—I’m talkin’ about lead balls. For all this, I’m grateful.”

He paused as the men laughed, but they grew silent as it became obvious that his demeanor had changed. “Up to now, we’ve all been lookin’ back at Big Elk and gettin’ ready for another fight with the damned savages that want to burn our houses, steal our livestock, and rape our women. I think the red sons of bitches remember the lesson we taught them, and Aaron and I have tried to make sure they also know about us preparin’ for the future. Maybe we’ve already done a lot, even without a fight, to protect our families. I hear that the governor is goin’ to meet with the Creek leaders to force them to stop their raids and help us capture the two buggers that escaped across the creek.

“Now, there’s somethin’ else that’s a bigger worry to me, and I hope it bothers y’all too. We’ve all heard about what has been happenin’ up in Massachusetts, where British troops have been attackin’ people like us and tryin’ to starve them with embargoes, heavy taxes, and such, if they try to protect themselves. I’ve been proud of the folks in Carolina that have supported the actions of the Minutemen around Boston, but except for McIntosh and a few others, I’ve been ashamed of the cowards in Savannah that are against freedom and citizens’ rights and want to spend the rest of their lives kissin’ the governor’s arse. My wife, Hannah, has been wantin’ to move across the river, but I don’t intend to change farms ag’in durin’ this lifetime, so we’re stuck here in Georgia.”

There was no clear response from the men, either supporting or disapproving, but they looked at one another as though to discern a common reaction. Clarke paused a few seconds and then added, “I don’t claim to know what’s goin’ to happen, but when the time comes, I aim to be protectin’ myself from the British bastards, and I hope all of you feel the same way.”