Ethan moved forward at a steady pace with his long and effortless stride, stopping just once in the night to doze for a few hours under a rock outcropping a few feet from the trail. When he reached the Morris homestead he started to turn in toward the cabin, but stopped and then proceeded to his own place. He would come back when he was better prepared to tell Mavis what had happened. He was not surprised that Epsey detected his approach from a distance and was waiting in the front yard when he arrived. She looked at him closely but waited for him to speak first. He sat down heavily on one of the chairs at the table, and she sat across from him. Ethan described the events of the past two days since he had left the cabin. She cried out softly when he told her of Kindred’s death, asked if he had stopped to tell Mavis, and offered to go with him to share the bad news.

After Ethan had bathed and changed clothes, they walked to the Morris cabin, and Ethan told Mavis what had happened. She was stunned and began to weep softly. He had a strong urge to take her in his arms and console her, and was relieved that Epsey moved forward to fill this role. After a minute or two, Mavis asked Ethan a few questions about her husband’s death. He replied as well as possible, not mentioning their conversation on the way and saying that he should have ignored Kindred’s objections and insisted on carrying him through the water to possible safety. He ended his comments with assurance that Kindred was properly buried.

Mavis was silent for a few moments and then said, “Maybe you all realized how close he and the Indians had become.”

She paused, glanced at both of them, and then continued, “I heard Kindred and Newota discussing the presence of the Continental troops, and Kindred encouraged Newota to guide the British to a crossing place over Briar Creek, but he chose not to become involved himself. He was increasingly unhappy with the way things were happening in the war, but wasn’t strong enough to make a clear choice. He was torn in several directions, wanting an end to the violence, feeling protective of the natives across the river, having strong personal ties with Newota, but overwhelmingly filled with admiration and respect for you, Ethan.”

Epsey asked Mavis to gather her things and move in with them for a while, but Mavis immediately rejected this invitation. “I’ve always felt at ease here by myself, and now I’d just rather be alone for a while to decide what to do next. I’ll let y’all know if I need anything.”