“Quaker leader Joseph Maddock has sent a message to me and to the families in the Watauga Valley stating that Governor Wright has protected the entire settlement from both Redcoats and Brown’s Rangers. Few of the homesteads have been damaged or destroyed, and he wants me to review the status of the property owners who are not Quakers, and let him know whether we wish to retain our land. There are three others besides me who are in the militia, and they have asked that I represent them and ensure that their titles to the property remain intact. In addition, my wife has sent me notes from two widows to be delivered to Maddock.”

“I don’t see how your claims will make much difference. The governor authorized Brown to take all the property owned by any of the militia families, and he’s turned most of it over to his Rangers. Only the outcome of the war will determine who the owners might be.”

“That’s true in most areas, but Maddock says there has been a special order protecting Wrightsborough, provided the owners make a claim with him. I believe that my homestead is the only one that has been destroyed.”

“I don’t blame you for going, but if the British hold Savannah and keep Georgia, I doubt if any of us wind up owning our land.”

“You’re probably right, sir, but I’m a messenger for five other people and need to go. I’ll be back in a few days, well before we are ready to make a move against Savannah.”

Now approaching Wrightsborough late in the August afternoon, Ethan was questioning his decision to return. It seemed that his laying claim to a homestead separated him from most of the other members of the militia who had lost theirs, and also indicated a lack of confidence in their ultimate victory. At the same time, he didn’t wish to make a gift of their property either to the Quakers or to Thomas Brown and the Florida Rangers. He tried not to think about Mavis but couldn’t avoid wondering if she was still with the Friends or had gone to Savannah during the extended period while the British were in full control of the state. In any case, his business with Maddock would be brief, and he wanted to return to his military duties as quickly as possible.