Marblehead, ninth of July in the year 2005

Rescue at Marblehead

We heard the crisp report - a warning shot from a firelock! The provincials were aware of our landing party.

The 4^th immediately disembarked from the schooner into the rowboat and headed around the island where we had anchored, hidden from the rebels. Rounding the rock, we saw a village. Marblehead. Sea shanty's and whorehouses is what it seemed to me. If there were any good, loyal to the crown citizens, surely they were driven to Canada. Into this abode, we were sent to rescue our men.

The day was young but it was warm. The Atlantic lifted our tiny vessel. I watched the senior man in front of me unclasp his lapels freeing his bayonet strap and cartridge box. Should the boat tip, he might have a chance to unburden himself before the gear took him deep. I did the same.

We leaped from the boat just as it ran aground, a few meters from shore. Cool saltwater flooded our boots, but off we sprinted to a sea wall. Then two-by-two, our group of seven ran to the street. Cut off access and protect the landing parties was our first order.

One child... a second... both tried to pass. Non-combatants they were but searched and detained nonetheless should they alert the rebels to our presence. Yet it wasn't long before Private Woods spied two unsavory characters. One carried a blunderbuss. The other a hatchet. They would both die.

"Engage," ordered the Serjeant! Forward my file partner and I sprang and fired! But there was a twinkle in the Serjeant's eye. We knew to fall back to him and then sprint, disordered, past him. It should have been the first clue for the rebels, but they walked towards our trap.

The Serjeant had sent two men around a fence to wait for the peasants, who soon skulked into their view. A moment longer and then BLAM! BLAM! The peasants were unscathed but on the run. And then, they were really surprised.

Another two shots rang from above, and the Serjeant grinned widely. He had sent the other two men up, into the second story of a house. They poured hot lead on the unsuspecting rebels.

Hunting was good this day.