Mavis interrupted, as seemed to be her custom. “I was eager to find a husband who would take care of me and help provide for a life of our own. I liked Kindred when we met, and was able to talk him into getting married. Dr. Bartram didn’t try to stop me when we made our plans to move away, but we agreed to continue with our nature studies and to send a copy of our journals back to him. He has traveled some in Georgia and Florida, knows Governor Wright, and helped arrange for us to get our land.”

In a few words, Ethan described their background, including the fact that they also came from Philadelphia. He omitted any reference to the unpleasant events of their stay in North Carolina, just stating that they had decided to move to Georgia with their Quaker neighbors. Then he asked about their plans for the future.

Kindred replied, “Well, first of all we need to build a cabin, and then to establish a farming operation that will provide a living for us. We’re already clearing some land, and we have enough money to start a small herd of cattle, sheep, and hogs. We’ll be growing enough feed for them, will have a garden for ourselves, and will probably limit our cash crops to just enough to buy supplies.”

Mavis said, “Our main interest is in biology, and we’ll use our spare time to catalog as many specimens as possible. Kindred knows much more than I do, but I’ll keep the journals and do the drawings. Dr. Bartram let us have some books that we’re studying. I don’t know why, but Kindred has a lot of interest in the natives, and we understand there’s an Indian tribe near here.”

Epsey looked at Ethan and said, “My parents had a great interest in bringing the Gospel to the Indians, but we haven’t had much to do with them. A few come by here to visit on occasion, but mostly so Ethan can help them with blacksmithing or carpentering. We trade with them sometimes, and they haven’t bothered us. It’s too hard to exchange ideas, mostly by sign language. One of them knows a little English, but we haven’t learned more than a few words of Creek, or whatever you call it.”

Kindred replied, “I want to learn the language and also as much as possible about their way of living. Dr. Bartram has met some natives on his travels, but never learned much about them on his brief stops in the villages. He’s interested in anything we can learn. As I told Mr. Pratt, I understand that his son William will be coming through Georgia next year, and we hope he will visit Wrightsborough.”

Ethan asked, “What can we do to be of help to you?”