Under Captain Few, he found that the company’s primary goals were to improve their fighting skills, consolidate remaining families and possessions within their protected area, strike with deadly force against any intruders who dared to enter, and make some outside raids against the British who were downriver from Augusta. These responsibilities fell on the few beleaguered militia troops who remained in north Georgia, since all organized Continental troops were concentrated across the river in South Carolina. During his days with the militia, Ethan rode, camped, and helped to plan tactics with all his ability and skill as a woodsman. He became a dedicated warrior but joined the other men, including Clarke and Few, who took advantage of dormant times to return home for brief visits with their families. He volunteered to join in a long foray to the south, part of a futile but symbolically important attempt to harass the British around Savannah.

•  •  •

Ethan did not see Mavis during the next few weeks, nor did he spend more than a few days at his own cabin. He had not been able to talk further even to Epsey about what had happened, and had been unable to describe his emotions during or after the military engagement. He knew he should have visited Mavis as soon as possible and offered his help in arranging for her care, but he never really considered doing so. Some of his reasons were rational, including the need to give Elijah Clarke an immediate report on what had happened in the disastrous battle and then to join in military operations. This had not, however, prevented his visiting his own homestead, where he came when possible to care for his crops and livestock. After all, Epsey had agreed to take care of Mavis and to help make arrangements once she decided whether to stay at home or go to Wrightsborough to stay with friends. Another reason for his reluctance was that he did not want to learn that she shared her husband’s antagonism toward the American militia. He was more concerned about her future plans. Now as a widow, would she stay in northeast Georgia or move to Savannah to seek haven among the loyalists—or move back to join the Bartram family in Philadelphia?