Kindred finally spoke. “Ethan, I wouldn’t try to find Newota, but there is no reason for you and me to talk about this anymore. You know what I think. I can understand how some of the northern colonies might feel betrayed and abused by the king. Their royal governors were corrupt and abusive, but you know that Governor Wright always treated us well. When the Whigs forced him out of Savannah, our lives became even worse than before. Now the fighting is all around us, and our own neighbors have become alienated from each other. All that most settlers want from the Indians is more and more land, and will cheat them in any way to get it. What I want is to live in peace and to see our young people grow up without having to kill the Indians and Englishmen around us.”

Ethan had realized that his neighbor was loyal to his Indian friends and was peaceful in nature, but was surprised to hear such a long statement from Kindred about any subject other than plants and animals.

He started to reply, but Kindred continued, “I’m grateful that you understand my concerns and still trust my loyalty. To be frank, I don’t really think this trip is necessary. You and I know the region almost as well as Newota. There is no way Colonel Prevost can bring his troops up the Savannah and cross Briar Creek with it flooding like it is. The water is probably four feet above normal level at Ashe’s camp. I think he has chosen a good place.”

Ethan couldn’t dispute much of what Kindred had said, and he chose not to repeat their discussions about the long-term goals of the colonists. They simply had a genuine difference of opinion about the ability to live under leaders chosen by the authorities in distant London. Also, it now seemed impossible to restrain the more militant commanders, since many of them on both sides in this frontier area had witnessed and even perpetrated the most despicable atrocities against innocent and defenseless people. He would never forget what he saw Elijah Clarke do to the squaws and babies in Big Elk’s camp, and he had buried some of the mutilated bodies of wives and children of settlers whom he knew well.

“Well, you may be right about Ashe’s judgment, but it’s obvious that Colonel Clarke is concerned. Also, as you and I know, our militia forces can’t get to Ashe from upriver, since that trail is now flooded. This general route we’re taking is about the only way that anyone could reach the North Carolina troops. Although Ashe is relatively isolated from our militia, he’s surrounded on three sides by water, so you may be right about the safety of his troops.”

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