“Brother Pratt, I am pleased to see thee well. I presume that thou art here in response to the several messages I have sent to men with property in our settlement.”

Ethan was relieved that the focus of the conversation was immediately on business and responded, “I appreciate this opportunity to see you again, and I have come in response to your inquiries, which several of my fellow militiamen have also received. Here are brief notes from three of them, and one from the widow Abrams, as you will notice, who hopes someday to come back with her children. I would like to inform them of their status when I return. There is one other widow, now in western Carolina, who desires to give up any claim to her former home, as stated in her note.”

Maddock nodded his head, examined the memoranda, and responded, “These will be adequate, and we have decided to honor any claims from widows who intend to return to their homes. Please express my personal condolences to all of them. I have been especially grieved by the loss of your son. The governor will decide on ownership of any abandoned property, but he has asked for my recommendations. I doubt that there will be compensation for any who choose to move elsewhere.”

Ethan expressed his thanks and prepared to leave.

Maddock asked, “Will thou be visiting thy homestead?”

“Yes, although I know that the cabin has been burned.”

Maddock nodded without further comment, and Ethan took his leave.

At the livery stable where he had reserved a cart, Ethan chose one that was low-slung and with the wheels as close together as possible to accommodate the narrow trails. It had a seat on top and a relatively long body. Then he mounted the cart and drove the horse to the Flemings’ home.

When he was still fifty paces from the front door, it was flung open and Mavis burst out, ran to him, grasped both his hands, looked into his eyes, and exclaimed, “Ethan, this is the best thing that has happened to me in years! I was praying that you would come. Have you brought the cart for my use? Can we really go to the farm? I’ll be so glad to see it again! Ethan, why are you blushing so?”

He realized that his heart was pounding and his face was flushed, and he finally stammered, “Yes, I got your note and was wanting to see my own place, so it’s no trouble to take you.”

He looked around to see if anyone had observed her outburst and then asked, “Should I speak to the Flemings?”

“They’ve gone to the meetinghouse, but I stayed here because I was hoping you might come. I’ll be ready when I get my bonnet and shawl.”