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to Caleb. “Well, lad, my wife and I wish to thank you for what you’ve done for our son. In time, he’ll heal. He’s told us how much you’ve helped him. You can’t imagine how grateful we feel.”
    “Seth would have done as much for me, sir.”
    “Yes, I think he would. Now, will you accept this small token?” Mr. Larkin slipped a cloth pouch into Caleb’s hand. Through the soft fabric, Caleb felt coins and heard the crackle of paper.
    “Sir, I can’t take this.”
    “Nonsense. You never know when it will come in handy.” Lowering his voice, James Larkin whispered, “I hear things don’t look good for our side. Charleston just fell. Seth said your company was on its way there when he got wounded. So, if you ever need a safe place, please find your way back here. My family owes you a great deal. You will always have a welcome here. I know you need to rejoin Major Hunt, but you must stay the night with us.”
    “Thank you, sir. I will remember your kindness, but I must get on my way.”
    “I’ll take you to Seth,” Elizabeth offered.
    As she walked beside him, Caleb realized he and Elizabeth stood almost the same height. Matching his long stride, she led him to the bedroom where her brother lay.
    Seth gave them both a weak smile, when they peeked into the room. “Come in. I see you’ve met my sister. What do you think, my friend? Was I right?”
    Caleb blushed and declined to answer. “I’ve come to say goodbye. I need to find Major Hunt and the rest of my unit.”
    “I’m indebted to you, Caleb. When I’m able, I’ll rejoin the major too. Perhaps you’ll still be attached to his group. If we don’t meet again in this war though, please come back when it’s all over.”
    “I will, and I wish you a speedy recovery. Goodbye for now.” He realized Mr. Larkin had not told his son of Charleston’s defeat. He wondered what had happened to Major Hunt and the rest of his command. They had ridden into the city not knowing its fate.
    Mary Larkin and her daughter accompanied Caleb to the door. Seth’s mother thanked him again for aiding her son, then leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “God go with you, Caleb Fields.”
    Victory waited, already fed, and Charity had tucked enough food in his saddlebags to last several days.
    Caleb waved goodbye to the Larkins and turned Victory toward the port of Charleston. Stopping partway down the long drive, he looked back toward the house. In the open door stood Elizabeth, her slender figure outlined in the soft glow of lamp light. Caleb felt sure he heard her whistling.
     
     
    SEVEN
     
           Caleb had traveled less than an hour when he saw a strange procession. Soldiers on horseback, others afoot, all walked in the opposite direction. The men came from various commands, but with one purpose—to leave the defeated port city.
    “Hold up,” Caleb called to a weary soldier. “Do you know Major Hunt or Captain Joseph Johnson?”
    The man looked up. He’s young, Caleb thought, despite the dirt-streaked face and hunched shoulders that give him the appearance of a much older person.
    Shaking his head, the soldier replied. “No, never heard of ’em, and if you’re smart you’ll turn back. The British lie just behind us, busy sacking Charleston. They’re a fierce lot, boy. Turn back.”
    Caleb held Victory still for a moment as he watched the despondent group trudge away. Ashamed of himself for the momentary thought of joining them, Caleb squared his shoulders and pressed on toward the besieged city. As he rode, he thought of his reasons for joining the militia. He remembered, when barely eight, the words his father spoke. “Caleb, your mother and I sailed to this country seeking a place away from the troubles in England. We came to love this land and felt overjoyed when we had a son born on this soil. We knew we had made the right choice when Patrick Henry stood in the church in Richmond and spoke those stirring words: Is life so dear , or peace