“I am upset, and there is something to be done. Some of us members of the little Sandy Creek Association have joined up with some other men, both in Orange and the other western counties, to form a group known as the Regulators. We’ve had a couple of meetings already, and if we can really get organized we’re going to make some changes in the political system.”

Ethan was quiet for a few moments and then said, “I hate to hear that. You’re making a good living at the leather shop, nobody is bothering you, and most of the folks around here just want to be left alone.”

Henry never liked advice contrary to his own inclinations, and he replied quite harshly, as he stepped off the porch and climbed on his horse, “You’ve become too much influenced by your Quaker neighbors. As long as you all are doing well yourselves, you don’t care about anyone else in the colony. I’m glad that a few of us are willing to speak out and try to improve things, especially if it means protecting our freedom and our rights.”

He whirled and rode away, and Ethan regretted this first argument they had had as adults in which the differences seemed to be irreconcilable. He pondered what his brother had said. Was Henry exaggerating the problems? Were he and the other frontier families too selfish or timid?

Epsey came out of the house and said, “I heard Henry raising his voice to you. What was the matter with him?”

“As usual, he was upset with the governor and the courthouse crowd and thinks we farmers are not doing enough to help him try to change things.”

•  •  •

The Pratts’ farm was shaping up nicely, and they had a good growing season. Epsey helped with the farmwork when she was not caring for the house. There was always enough for her to do around the yard, barn, feedlot, and garden, and she helped Ethan at planting and harvesttime, and with hoeing weeds in the open fields. Ethan did all the plowing, construction, repairs, and blacksmithing, and particularly enjoyed caring for the hogs and cows that ran loose most of the time in the woodland areas. He monitored their movements closely as they fattened on leaves, grasses, and acorns, and supplemented their diet, when necessary; they would come to the clearing at least once a day when he called them.