The Lad from Pointe de Bute (Chap. 14-15)

FOURTEEN

In my next day at school-time, I found myself not so popular with questions from my mates.

To my dismay, others did not wish to be reminded of the past. Fitfully I had spoken to Da about my concerns.

“Many of these farms were purchased from Planters wishing to return to the Thirteen Colonies,” he remarked. “Try not taking too much stock in what the man said,” he scolded. “You should be filled with the ramblings of youth, and let these serious matters occupy the minds of your elders.”

Then looking deep into my eyes, Da said very solemnly, “Johnny, Inverma is our farm. Let that not be a question for you to consider.” Then he did something special that I often bring to mind.

Da took me into his arms and gave me a fatherly hug. I remember that moment, keeping my eyes to the ground, ashamed of wanting to leave my beloved home. I could see the looks on some of the men as they watched Da lumber about as a proud bull.

Yes he was a huge man but not fatty like some may have thought. To me he was simply my Da, a big man. And I loved him.

“Now hasten to your chores,” Da quickly added before returning to his own duties.

“Ta-Rah” I called after him.

Then I looked in my carrying bag, wondering what Mum had made for my lunch. All this talk was enough to turn my head. And I was still unsettled from my chat with Monsieur Robert.

As I turned into the chicken coop, I knew something was amiss.

Feathers lay everywhere and the hens cowered in one corner. Their usual greeting was simply a nervous shuffling of wings. Across the floor lay the remains of several carcasses. And there were others from Mum’s prize brood that had been carried off by foxes. It was my challenge to secure the fencing.

This beast from the forest was too often a bother. I saw where a hole had been chewed out. They were becoming more than a nuisance, since it meant less money for needful item, when Mum traded her eggs.

Indeed, it was my task to protect the hens.

I murmured a silent vow to use double strands of wire. Sad moments surrounded me, as I gazed about. My duties included protecting the hens, and I had failed in this most important task.

Eggs were also a proper meal for our family and the loss would be felt in days to come.

I had terrible images about what I would like to do to that fox. And if accompanied by his family, they should also pay for this thieving.

At that moment cold chills ran races across the bare skin of my back. It frightened me to think about how easily this turmoil of rage had arisen.

Would I make a good soldier in the face of battle? I wondered.

Just then a face poked its sunless face from between the thick pine. I knew it was Tommy. He was a pesky lad, and for some strange reason, wanting to follow me of late.

Perhaps his desire was the need for an older brother. And I was the chosen one. Or he simply desired company and become my friend. But I have the good company of one, I surmised.

Mattie’s friendship was sufficient for me. And yet, there arose a thought that beat against my skull. What if Mattie and I took him into our confidence? And swore him to secrecy? Then there would be three of us to observe whether any foreign person invaded Inverma Farm.

I must share these thoughts with Mattie. At the time I thought the idea had merit.

Military stories now became a source of much speculation in the local communities.

It was said the 42^nd Highlanders sent from England in 1773 were to provide additional strength for an assembly of forces. Everyone knew it was to confront the Thirteen Colonies and that a Revolutionary War was at hand. But the certainty of conflict was only whispered in quiet corners.

I learned to listen intently when the men spoke in hushed tones, sharing tidbits of news with Da. We came to know supplies began to arrive at Halifax harbor in a furious succession of ships.

Halberts, drums, firelocks, bayonets and cartridge boxes were to supply the 55^th Regiment of Foot, under the command of Captain Johnny Taylor.

As the cadence of war approached, men from the farms and villages were in fear for their children. They worried their young sons would be drawn into choosing sides in battle.

“It is not uncommon for growing boys and able bodied men to be pressed into military service,” Da said. Heads of families, men of valor from their own wars in England, also cringed as they spoke of this in their own homes.

What they had been desperate to leave behind now followed them to this new wilderness land.                                                        

Mattie was such a good friend, always on the lookout for my good health. She had come upon me quite suddenly by my tree fort, as I pondered.

“You’re in enough trouble Johnny,” she scolded. “Now you are in rebellion against your father’s wishes.” She looked furiously beautiful as she stood one hand on her hip, a scowl crossing her face.

Yet she smiled, and aye, when she did the thoughts of war or the scolding from a young lady simply allowed me to regroup.

“And I do not want ye to leave,” she whispered.

“But it is not my intention to listen to my father on this subject!” I stamped my foot in a haughtiness that surprised me. I desired not to return to Yorkshire.

“This is the land I wish to live on.” was my rant.

I knew somehow I must convince Da, not to send me away from the dangers that lurk like a tiger in this area.”

“You too have a taste of painful times. How does your father come about?” I dared to change the direction of our talk, asking about his condition since the accident.

“They did take his arm off in Halifax.” Mattie’s voice spoke so softly, Johnny had to lean far forward to hear.

“Which arm was it?” was the second question from my lips. I knew the man was friendly in his ways, always shaking everyone’s hand and slapping friends on shoulders. This affliction would now be bothersome. And I wondered if it was his...

Closing my eyes, I wished with all my heart it were not his right hand, the strongest one. It had proven to be hardy among the villagers more than once in hand wrestling contests.

“It was the right arm,” Mattie said quickly. Then she left me standing by the tree, and turned to return to her own farm.

“I thought you were going to help me seek out enemy soldiers,” I complained. “We have to do this together Mattie,” I said, shrugging my shoulders helplessly.

I knew it best to be soon checking the hen house, making sure the fencing was holding fast. And I was shy with my poor concerns about her father. But then so many things were a twirl about my person.

“Tomorrow,” she answered. “I’ll be here tomorrow. And I promise to have a more cheerful attire, my good friend Johnny.”

Those spoken words now brought a smile of delight my face. Then Mattie left quickly as if preparing for another race across the field. Her hearty laughter carried a long way, as she ran towards home.

“Ta-rah,” I said softly since I missed having her friendship at this moment. With heavy heart I don’t know how I managed to climb the tower. It was done with a sure step, one at a time. It was with difficulty I recalled our spoken words these last few moments.

Did I tread on a sorry wound? What else could I ask, about her father’s hand? I was simply curious.

But then she did say, “My good friend.” And suddenly the day did bring about some extra sunshine.

Now where was Tommy? I inquired, looking about.

The lad did not understand how bothersome he could be. He was always spying on me and trying to catch my eye from the woods, or silent upon the field like a curious mouse. I wished the boy were here right now. He was a helpful ally in our small force.

“I must inquire if he is capable of climbing a tall tree and hanging on for dear life in the raging wind,” were words spoken from the past.

The thought brought on a smile.

My eyes searched all around. It was now left up to me to take charge from my observation post. And I must make sure no enemy troops are assembled in the grounds next to the woods at the edge of our farm.

If any horse movements or cannon were to be pulled in this direction, I could claim my shouts of, “Their arrival is upon us!”

As a boy, I was not realizing the game was far more serious than this child-like plan of mine. Unknown to me during those boyhood moments, men would die in coming engagements. And then become far more real than my imaginary quest to be a protector of our farm.

“Hail to the Protectors of Inverma Farm!” I shouted for the moment. I was determined to do my duty. “TA-RAH!” was my shout of vainglory and that call crossed the grassland, entered a narrow valley and returned louder than the last exclamation.

After raising a shout I would climb down and join the defenders of our honor. But now my tum was grumbling. Surely it must be time to eat.

As I carefully climbed down the ladder from my outpost, a tumble of thoughts crossed my mind. I promised to be more patient with Johnny who indeed needed a good mate. And to my mind Mattie was a bonny girl.

I vowed to ask Mum if both of us could share sup on the morrow.

 

FIFTEEN

 

Another adventure had awaited me as I stood before a cave.

Monsieur Mercier suggested we come, and his manner at the time was most mysterious. He said he changed the resting place of his son a week after the wee lad was laid to rest. And it had caused him much grief.

I surmised he was taking me to Bastien’s second resting place, excitement taken a hold of me.

Yet it was not an occasion to glory about.

In the nearby woods, on many a silent night British Marines may have stood to watch for their prey. Johnny imagined the patience they would have to endure, and not find their man.

“Yes,” Monsieur Robert had said, as if reading my confused mind. “British soldiers did wait patiently many nights for someone to visit the freshly dug grave they found. They knew I, the father would come back. But I did not so long as those soldiers stood close by.”

My head shook in agony as I listened to the tale.

Then he paused and wiped his brow. “After a period of time, they gave up. And I took the occasion to move my son’s burial ground.”

Was it to this location the man and boy was now making haste?

Johnny remembered how Monsieur Robert helped him over some fallen rocks. They had rolled up their trouser legs and sloshed along the shore for some time. Then ahead, along the rocky outline of shore, darkness hid the cave. And he clambered after his friend who began to climb.

The first thing the boy saw farther back within the cave, in open view on a shelf was a small skull.

Did this really belong to Bastien, the boy from the diary? It was a scary thought that hurried through the mind of Johnny.

“No,” Monsieur Robert said. “This child’s skull does not belong to my son. But I wanted you to know how desperate we were in those days of escape. This child must surely have hidden in fear, separated from family and starving himself rather than be captured by the soldiers. Years ago, the rest of his bones were on a lower shelf. But the sea had arisen even higher over the years. And I thought it best to respect this cave as the boy’s burial ground.”

I clasped my hands and covered my eyes at first, afraid to shame this poor soul, not even having the goodness of soil to cover his soul. And it was most difficult to hold my tongue. Wait until I bring Mattie to this location? 

He was sure Mum and Da would understand why their son embarked on this adventure to clear up some nagging questions. He knew it was his duty to find out the truth.

“Many years have I suffered,” Monsieur Mercier said, shuffling about. “And my children, my family, all gone these long years. I was a young farmer then, now such an old man.”

Johnny had watched, fascinated by the tears that began in the corner of the older man’s eyes. He really didn’t wish to stay and watch the proud man cry in front of him. Men do cry was a roaring through Johnny’s brain. He wiped a dry finger across his own moist face.

Like a Trembling Aspen Robert had wept openly until tears became a waterfall, down cracked skin. And he lowered his head even further.

The boy felt a twitch jab one of his legs. Arising from a crouched position Johnny moved toward his friend. Astonished at his bold action, he laid a hand of comfort on the man’s shoulder. Now they were bonded.

“It’s okay,” the boy heard himself murmur.

Then he kept his silence. It did not seem proper to interrupt this moment. Above, clouds seemed to wrestle across the sky, as a pinpoint of light shone through, signaling dusk’s arrival.

Johnny knew he should be scooting home.

Mum’s voice carried across the wind. Sup was waiting.

Da was kept busy on our farm that day growing wheat, barley, oats, hay and potatoes. And I was of most use watching out for our three pigs, herding cattle and feeding the chickens. He came aside me as I whistled a happy tune to overcome the sadness of Mr. Mercier. But then, I knew it was his pleasure to speak the tale aloud to one who reminded him of his own dear son.

And it pleased me that I was such a one.

On Saturday night, baked beans with molasses along with a piece of salt pork, was a feast. The abundance of this meal was evident in the second helping, even I requested. As was my usual custom, my vest earned several spots of spilled beans I tried to scrub off with my thumbnail, making a more noticeable mess. Now it matched the caked mud on the lower lag of my pants.

A cup of tea brought my mind back to the table, and quickly drinking it, excused myself in a hurry to visit the privy.

I couldn’t even think of my brothers laying in their own blood, green grass stained and soaking up their young lives. What about the bones of Bastien? Did it take long for his skin to rot off? These thoughts were most unpleasant for a young boy, but not for a stalwart soldier in the defense of his home.

A Planter’s Wart was most annoying and after that hearty meal, my painful expression brought on attention I did not wish.

And the recipe for its disappearance was even the more difficult for me. Mum had to mash cloves and garlic then cover the offending part of my foot.

Each night I had to keep on the dressing, and for the next two weeks it was most regretful, with my anxious tossing about. Somehow the offending part under my skin was taken away and I was able to skip around the farm without irritation.