THE AMERICAN GIRLS "'

KAYA, an adventurous Nez Perce girl whose deep love for horses and respect for nature nourish her spirit

FELICITY, a spunky, spritely colonial girl, full of energy and independence

1 774 •

JOSEFINA, a Hispanic girl whose heart and hopes are as big as the New Mexico sky

KIRSTEN, a pioneer girl of strength and spirit who settles on the frontier

(Jfi/\ ADDY, a courageous girl determined

� to be free in the midst of the Civil War

SAMANTHA, a bright Victorian beauty, an orphan raised by her wealthy grandmother .i_

1 934

1944

4

KIT, a clever, resourceful girl facing the Great Depression with spirit and determination

MOLLY, who schemes and dreams on the � home front during World War Two

1774

SAVES THE DAY A Summer Story

BY

VALERIE TRIPP

ILLUSTRATIONS VIGNETTES

DAN ANDREASEN

LUANN ROBERTS, KEITH SKEEN

™

{( American Girl

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FELICITY'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS CHAPTER ONE KING'S CREEK PLANTATION

1

CHAPTER Two

12

FAITHFUL FRIENDS CHAPTER THREE

THE NOTE IN THE BIRD BOTTLE CHAPTER FOUR RUNAWAY

36

CHAPTER FI VE PENN Y SAVES THE DAY LOOKING BACK SNEAK PEEK

61

69

48

25

FELICITY'S FAMILY

F ATHER

MOTHER

Felicity's father, who owns one of the general stores in Williamsburg

Felicity's mother, who takes care of her family with love and pride

FELICITY

A spunky, spritely colonial girl, growing up just before the American Revolution

NAN Felicity's sweet and sensible sister, who is seven years old

WILLIAM

Felicity's three-year-old brother, who likes mischief and mud puddles

. . . AND FRIENDS

GRAN DFATHER

BEN DAVIDSON

Felicity's generous grandfather, who understands what is important

A quiet apprentice living with the Merrimans while learning to work in Father's store

PE NNY

The spirited, independent horse Felicity loves

MR. WENTWORTH

A gentleman who is a neighbor of Grandfather's

MRS. WENTWORTH

A lady who has strong opinions

0

CHAPTER ONE

KING'S CREEK PLANTATION

Felicity wanted to whoop for joy. She ran so fast she was almost flying. Down the , .,... wide stone steps she ran, down the gently sloping green lawn, and through the garden bright with flowers. She ran all the way to the edge of the bluff, and there she stopped. Below her was the river, wide and blue and dazzling with light as it flowed along on its way to the sea. Felicity grinned. Every summer of her life she had come to stay at Grandfather's plantation on the York River. And every summer the very first thing she did when she arrived was run to the river. Summer did not begin until she'd seen the river's wide-open sweep and heard its welcoming murmur.

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

Hello, river, Felicity thought. Here I am, back again. What adventures do you have in store for me this summer? Grandfather's plantation was called King's Creek Plantation. It was about halfway between Williamsburg and Yorktown. Corn, wheat, and oats grew in the rolling fields above the riverbank. Cattle, sheep, and horses grazed in the sweet clover pastures. The fields, the slave quarters, and all the outbuildings of the plantation were on either side of the main house. Between the house and the river was a lawn flanked on both sides by dense woods. The lawn was green and broad. It was laced with white shell paths and decorated with flower beds. Felicity turned from the river and saw her sister Nan and her brother William hurrying toward her along one of the paths. Mother and Grandfather strolled behind at a more gracious pace. Mother's parasol floated like a butterfly above the colorful flowers. "Lissie," said Nan as she and William reached the riverbank, "I've brought your gathering basket. Grandfather says the first blackberries are ready to pick."

2

KING'S CREEK PLANTATION

Felicity turned from the river and saw her sister Nan and her brother William hurrying toward her along one of the paths.

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

"Blackberries!" said William, all out of breath. "I'll eat the most!" "Aye!" laughed Felicity. ''And you shall most likely eat them before they're ever in your basket!" "Felicity, do you remember where the best blackberry bushes are?" asked Grand­ father with a twinkle in his eye. "Indeed I do!" said Felicity. "They're in the thicket at the edge of the woods." "Quite right," said Grandfather. Felicity smiled at him. "You know I remember everything about King's Creek Plantation, Grand­ father," she said. "I believe you love it as much as I do," said Grandfather proudly. Mother slipped her hand through the crook of Grandfather's elbow. "Off with you then, children," she said cheerfully. "Your grandfather and I will wait in the shade by the house while you gather blackberries for us." Felicity grinned at Nan and William. "Let's race!" she said. The three children set off at a run toward the berry bushes.

4

KING'S CREEK PLANTATION

"That's my Lissie," laughed Mother to Grand­ father. "She's not here an hour and already she's running as wild as one of your colts!" The bushes were thick with berries. In no time at all, Nan and Felicity had filled their baskets. William's basket was only half full, but he himself was covered with berry juice as dark as ink. After the children washed their hands, they presented the berries to Grandfather and Mother. "Thank you!" said Grandfather. He popped a berry into his mouth. "These blackberries are fit for the king!" "We have something else for you, too, Grand­ father," said Felicity. She handed him a package. "It is a gift from Father's store." Mr. Merriman had stayed in Williamsburg to run his store with Ben, his apprentice, to help him. "Father let me choose it," said William. He watched impatiently as Grandfather unwrapped the package. "It's a bird bottle," William explained. "You put it on the side of a building, and birds build nests in it and eat any insects that come around."

5

FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

"How very fine!" said Grandfather. "I thank you." "Of course, birds build their nests in the spring, not the summer," said Nan in her sweetly serious voice. "There's no sense in putting up the bird bottle now. 'Tis the middle of July." Felicity saw William's disappointed face. "Oh, but the birds will surely want to visit the bird bottle," she said quickly. "I think we should put it up right away. Don't you, Grandfather?" "Yes, indeed," said Grandfather. And so the three children helped Grandfather attach the bird bottle to the smokehouse, just under the eave of the roof. When they were finished, Grandfather said, "There! Now perhaps I will have birds as well as children visiting this summer." He put his arm around Felicity's shoulders and smiled down at her. "All my visitors make me very happy." That evening, while Nan, William, and Felicity were playing battledore and shuttlecock on the lawn, they saw a bird fluttering around the bird bottle. They stood quietly. The shuttlecock bird perched on the bottle, tilted his

6

KING'S CREEK PLANTATION

head, and studied them with his bright black eyes. He chirped mightily for a while, as if to proclaim his ownership of the bird bottle. Then he flew away. "Why didn't he go inside the bird bottle?" asked William. "He's probably too busy," Felicity answered. "He doesn't want to be indoors, anyway. There's too much to do out of doors." That was certainly how Felicity felt. She loved summers at Grandfather's plantation because she could be out of doors almost all day long. It seemed to her that life on the plantation was busy and lazy at the same time. There were a great many things to do, all of them pleasant, and there was never any hurry about getting them done. Felicity's days began early and peacefully. Every morning before dawn, Felicity and Grand­ father met at the stable. Grandfather rode his old stallion, Major, and Felicity sat sidesaddle on a ladylike mare named Jessamine. Together they rode at an easy trot to the bluff above the river. There they waited for the sunrise. The early morning was so still, Felicity thought she could almost hear the sun rising. It seemed to

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

whisper as it slid smoothly up from behind the hills, warming the gray clouds to pink, the black hills to green, and the silvery river to blue. The sun filled the day with light and color. "Well, now, Felicity my dear," Grandfather would say as they felt the sun on their faces, "let us put this day to good use." And they would gather their reins and turn their horses toward the fields. Some mornings Felicity and Grandfather rode from one end of the plantation to the other, all the way from King's Creek to the old footpath that led to Yorktown. There was so much to see! Summer was a generous season. Strawberries grew in thick clusters along the edges of the fields. Fat watermelons and muskmelons grew in the melon patch. Plump peaches, nectarines, and figs grew in the orchard, just waiting to be plucked and eaten. Lavender grew in the sunny herb garden. The air was sweet with the smell of sun on flowers and fruit. While the morning was still cool, Felicity and Grandfather inspected the green fields. She'd listen while Grandfather spoke to the field hands and the overseer about the weather. She'd let go of the reins

8

KING'S CREEK PLANTATION

while Jessamine grazed with the sheep and cows in the grassy meadows. Most of all, Felicity loved to watch the horses running in the huge, fenced pasture. Grandfather loved horses, too. He understood how Felicity felt when she talked about Penny, the horse she had secretly tamed and then had helped run away from its cruel owner, Jiggy Nye. "Whenever I see horses, I search for Penny," Felicity said. "I never have stopped hoping that someday I will see Penny again. Do you think that's being foolish, Grandfather?"

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

"No1 my dear girl/1 said Grandfather. "I think thafs being faithful. 1 When the morning grew warmer1 Grandfather and Felicity would head back to the house through the woods. Grandfather would often stop to point out and name the wild herbs and other plants they passed. "Thafs witch hazel/1 he said one day. "Its juice makes a good medicine to put on a bruise. If you gather some sprigs1 we 1ll borrow the cook 1s mortar and pestle and !1 11 show you how to grind witch hazel to extract its juice. 1 witch hazel Felicity slipped down from her saddle to pick sprigs of witch hazel and put them in her gathering basket. One morning1 Grandfather told Felicity about the times when he was a young man who had just arrived in Virginia from England. "I often went west on hunting trips/1 he said. "I lived alone in woods like these for days. "But where did you sleep? 1 asked Felicity. "What did you eat? 11 "Fallen trees gave me shelter. Pine boughs were 1

1

11

1

10

KING'S CREEK PLANTATION

my bed," answered Grandfather. "I hunted birds and game. I ate roots and berries. 'Twas a fine, simple life." "It sounds so adventurous!" said Felicity. She imagined living in the cool, dark woods, under a fallen tree, where she would be surrounded by the smell of rich, damp earth. How wonderful to be so wild and free! "The earth is happy to provide us with every­ thing we need," said Grandfather as they left their horses at the stable. "We must only be wise enough to know how to use it."

11

0

CHAPTER

Two

FAITHFUL FRIENDS

The serene and sunny summer days flowed by as smoothly as the river. By the end of July, Felicity was completely settled into the rhythm of life on the plantation. She often thought of her father, and Ben, and her dear friend Elizabeth back home in Williamsburg. She missed them not because she was lonely, but because she wanted to share with them all the good times and quiet delights of summer at King's Creek Plantation. One hot afternoon, Felicity and William were playing by the river in Grandfather's boat, which was pulled partway onto the shore. William was pretending to row. The family had rowed upriver

12

FAITHFUL FRIENDS

to a barbecue and boat race the day before, and William was now determined to be a boatman. Felicity had a shell full of soapy water. She dipped a hollow reed in it and blew bubbles, and then watched the bubbles drift lazily up toward the clouds.

the river water. And her wide-brimmed straw hat shaded her face, so Felicity felt perfectly comfortable. Nan appeared at the top of the bluff. She waved and called out as she ran down to them, "Lissie! William! 'Tis time for dinner." William quickly climbed out of the boat. He was always interested in dinner. But Felicity sighed as she pulled her feet out of the water. She was always sorry to go inside. "Lissie!" giggled Nan when she got to the boat. "Gracious me! Hurry and put on your shoes and stockings. Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth are here to visit.

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

It wouldn't be proper for guests to see you bare­ legged!" Felicity sighed again as she put on her shoes and stockings. "I wish we had no guests today," she said. "I'd rather stay out of doors." There were very often guests for dinner. Ladies and gentlemen from all the neighboring plantations came to call on Mother. She had grown up here on Grandfather's plantation, and all her old friends were eager to see her. Felicity liked it very much when families with children visited. All the children had dinner by themselves, separately from the adults. They ate their dinner quickly and then were free to go out of doors. They went for walks or played battledore and shuttlecock on the lawn. But when there were no children visiting, Felicity ate with the adults. Nan and William ate in the kitchen. It was considered a privilege to be allowed to join the adults in the dining room. But it did not feel like a privilege when Mrs. Wentworth was one of the dinner guests. Felicity feared it would be a dull afternoon.

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FAITHFUL FRIENDS

And indeed, Mrs. Wentworth had a great deal to say at dinnertime. "Well!" she exclaimed. "When I heard that Governor Dunmore and his family had left Williamsburg, I quite nearly went into spasms! Governor Dunmore was sent to the colonies by the king himself to govern us. If he must flee from his Palace, then none of us is safe! We shall all be murdered in our beds by these wild Patriots! They are disloyal to our king!" She turned to her husband, who appeared to be dozing. "Don't you agree, Mr. Wentworth?" she asked sharply. "W hat? Oh! Yes, indeed, my dear," said Mr. Wentworth. "Think of it!" Mrs. Wentworth went on. "The governor and his family were forced to stay on a ship in Norfolk! I hear Lady Dunmore and the children are now sailing safely home to England. Well!" Mrs. Wentworth's plumpish face was pink as a boiled ham. "I'm simply scandalized! I'm glad you're far from Williamsburg this summer, my dear Mrs. Merriman. And your dear sweet children! Do you not fear for your husband? And you in your condition, too!" Felicity saw her mother blush. Mother was

15

FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

expecting a baby in the winter."My dear Mrs. Wentworth," Mother said calmly,"do not upset yourself.'Tis true,the governor and his family left Williamsburg.Relations between the governor and the colonists were no longer friendly.But 'twas a peaceful departure.No one wished the governor or his family any harm.As for my husband ... " Mother smiled. "I've no fear for him.He is a sensible,peaceful man.He keeps a cool head." Mrs.Wentworth waggled her head. "Well!" she went on. "All this trouble began in November, when those hot-headed Patriots threw crates of tea into this very river,just down the road in Yorktown.'Twas then that so many merchants decided to stop ,._.., ':'.::'-'t. ...._.'")..-.;....:r selling tea in their shops.They stopped because they were too crates of tea disloyal to pay the king's tax on it!Scandalous, if you ask me." No one had asked Mrs.Wentworth.In fact,no one had said anything at all.Felicity,Mother,and Grandfather were awkwardly silent because Felicity's father was one of the merchants who had stopped selling tea in his store.He had stopped

�--

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FAITHFUL FRIENDS

because he believed the king's tax was unfair, not because he was disloyal. Felicity glanced at Grandfather. She knew he thought Father was wrong not to sell tea. But Grandfather was too polite to say anything that would make Mother uncomfortable in front of the Wentworths. 'Tis a good thing Ben is not here, Felicity thought. Ben was a Patriot, heart and soul. He'd be sure to say something that would send Mrs. Wentworth into spasms. The dining room was hot and stuffy, and Mrs. Wentworth's words only made it worse. Felicity knew she should sit still and appear to be interested in the conversation even though she did not like what Mrs. Wentworth was saying. But her feet were jumpy, and her legs itched. There was sand stuck in her stockings. Felicity put her hands through the slits in her gown and petticoat as if she were reaching into her pockets. She slipped her hands past her pockets, untied her garters, and put them in her pockets. Then she jiggled her legs so that her stockings fell down around her ankles. Ah, now, that felt better! "Gracious!" said Mrs. Wentworth suddenly.

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

Felicity realized Mrs.Wentworth was looking at her. "Felicity!" Mrs.Wentworth puffed. "You are as twitchy as a cat's tail!W hat ails you, child?" Quickly, Felicity put her hands up on the table. "Well, I ... " she began. Grandfather rescued her. "May I ask you ladies to excuse the gentlemen?" he asked."Mr.Wentworth has brought some horses for me to look at.And I would like Felicity to join us. I shall need her advice. She has quite an eye for a good horse." "Oh, yes, of course!" said Mother. Mrs.Wentworth nodded. Felicity was so grateful to be going, she forgot about her stockings.They flopped around her ankles as she followed the gentlemen out of doors and down the path to the pasture behind the stable. The sun was scorching hot.Still, it felt wonderful to be out of doors. Felicity took a deep breath.She loved the stable smell of horses and sun-warmed hay. She stood next to Grandfather and looked over the pasture fence at the five horses Mr.Wentworth had brought. Most of the horses stood quietly in the

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FAITHFUL FRIENDS

"Felicity!" Mrs. Wentworth puffed. "You are as twitchy as a cat's tail! What ails you, child?"

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

shade of the stable, nibbling at the grass. Felicity shaded her eyes to better see one horse that was at the far end of the pasture, trotting restlessly along the fence. "These are cart horses," Mr. Wentworth said to Grandfather. "Some of them are handsome enough to pull your riding chair. The others are steady and strong. You won't find a better horse than one of these to pull a farm wagon. "They appear to be in fine condition," said Grandfather. "Let's have a closer look." He opened the gate and led Felicity and Mr. Wentworth into the pasture. The stable boys looped ropes around the horses' necks and led them to Grandfather one by one. Grandfather inspected the horses carefully. He ran his hands down their legs and looked at their eyes and teeth to be sure the horses were healthy. Suddenly, there was an uproar. The horse at the far end of the pasture whinnied, and kicked up its heels, and ran wildly. It would not let the stable boy near enough to put the rope around its neck. 11

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FAITHFUL FRIENDS

Mr. Wentworth shook his head. "That horse was passed along to me in a swap and I took her, for she's a Thoroughbred," he said. "She's hand­ some, and fast as the very wind. But she's very skittish. I fear she was once so badly mistreated, she trusts no one." The horse reared up, and Felicity gasped. She slipped past Grandfather and ran toward the horse as fast as she could. "Stop!" Mr. Wentworth shouted. "Stop! That horse is dangerous!" The horse was skinny and scruffy and so covered with dust that her coat was the color of mud. She tossed her head and danced from side to side. Felicity made herself slow to a walk as she came nearer. Her heart thudded in her chest so that she could hardly breathe. "Penny," Felicity said softly. "Penny. It's me. It's Felicity. You remember. You remember me, don't y ou, Penny ? Don't y ou, my girl?" Felicity stood still and held out her hands. "Come to me, Penny," she said. "Come, my fine one." The horse nickered. She took one step, then two, toward Felicity. Then, very gently, she nudged

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

Felicity's shoulder with her nose. Felicity's eyes filled with happy tears. She reached up and put her arms around Penny's neck. "I knew we would find each other again someday," Felicity whispered. Felicity turned and slowly walked back toward Grandfather. Penny followed close behind her. The men stood by the stable, watching, silent. Felicity smiled at Grandfather. "This is my horse, Grand­ father," Felicity said simply. "This is Penny." Grandfather's gray eyes shone with happiness. He cleared his throat. Then he said to Mr. Wentworth,

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FAITHFUL FRIENDS

"I'll take this horse along with the others, if you'd be so kind." He shook hands with Mr. Wentworth to seal the bargain. "I've never seen such a thing in all my days," said Mr. Wentworth. "It does my heart good to know that horse has found a home." He turned to Felicity. "You're a brave young lady," he said. "You deserve a horse as spirited as this." "She does indeed," said Grandfather. "She does indeed." That night, Felicity took paper from the leather pocketbook Father had given her. She wrote a letter to Father and Ben to tell them about Penny. She knew Ben would be happy, because he had shared her secret about taming Penny last autumn. That had been the beginning of her friendship with Ben. Then Felicity wrote: 30 July, 1775 My Dear Friend Elizabeth, I pray this Letter finds you in good Health and good Spirits. Such great Happiness is mine! Today, my dear horse Penny is returned to me. Grandfather has purchased her. I am to care for her while I am

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

here. All this afternoon I have spent with her, brushing and currying her. She is thin, but in good Health. My Joy is twice as great, because I know you share it with me. You hoped for Penny's return as much as I did, and never let me lose Faith. Tonight my Heart is full of Happiness, and full of Love for you. I am, and shall be forever, Your faithful Friend, Felicity Merriman

24

0

CHAPTER THREE

THE NOTE IN THE BIRD BOTTLE

During the months they had been apart, Felicity had often imagined what it would be like if she were ever with Penny again. But even in her dreams, she had not imagined how happy she would feel, or how content. It was as if something sad and longing in her had finally come to peace, all because Penny was back. "I have never seen two living creatures so glad to be with one another," said Grandfather. He and Mother were watching Felicity make medicine to put on a scrape on Penny's leg. "Aye," agreed Mother. "Indeed, 'tis a pleasure to see." Felicity ground herbs with the pestle to make

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

a smooth mixture.Then she scooped up some with her fingers and spread it on Penny's scrape. "The wound is healing well,Grandfather," she said. "You have done a fine job of caring for that horse," said Grandfather. "She looks like a different animal entirely from the wild creature that she was two weeks ago.She's filled out,and her coat is as shiny as a ... " "Bright copper penny!" Felicity said. "Isn't Penny a love, Grandfather? She's so fast!And did you see how well she accepted the sidesaddle? She took to it better than I did myself!" "You do look like a fine lady upon her,Lissie,my dear," said Mother."I sidesaddle wish your friend Elizabeth could see you. She would be so happy." Felicity felt a tiny prick of sorrow. Elizabeth had sent her a lovely letter saying how happy she was that Penny was with Felicity again.But Felicity did not know if Elizabeth would ever see her with Penny. Penny was to stay on Grandfather 's planta­ tion when Mother and the children returned to Williamsburg at the end of August. After all,

26

THE NOTE IN THE BIRD BOTTLE

Grandfather owned her. Besides, if Felicity brought Penny back to Williamsburg, it might be dangerous. There was no telling what Mr. Nye would do. He was the man who had claimed to own Penny last fall. He had beaten and starved her. He might steal Penny away and hurt her again. But for now, Mr. Nye was far away, and Felicity spent every minute she could with her beloved horse. When she and Grandfather rode in the mornings, Penny was well behaved. She followed Grandfather's horse obediently and never fought the slow, steady pace. Their morning rides were such a pleasure, Felicity and Grandfather made them longer. Sometimes they followed the footpath as far as Philgate's Creek. Once, they even crossed the creek and rode all the way to where the path split. One fork led to a little finger of land that stuck out into the river, called Sandy Point. The other fork led to Yorktown. After dinner, when Nan and William played and Grandfather and Mother rested, Felicity rode Penny to the huge upper pasture. The grass seemed to shimmer with heat, and the air was so dense and hot it felt solid. Felicity would lean forward and

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

whisper, "Run, Penny, as fast as you like." Penny would walk, then trot, then canter. Faster and faster Penny would fly, smooth as water, while Felicity held on tight, and the whole world was a brilliant blur around them. One steamy afternoon, as Felicity was riding Penny from the stable to the upper pasture for their canter, she passed Nan and William. They had reeds, and shells full of soapy water, and 1/ they were blowing bubbles up into � :..�' ·�'. the branches of a large, old _ ..--,..:::, _ �-� · shade tree. �"Lissie," said William, "when you pass the bird bottle, do remember to look inside it. Maybe a bird has built a nest today." Felicity and Nan looked at each other and sighed. William asked Felicity to look in the bird bottle almost every day, even though both girls had told him a hundred times that birds don't build nests in the summer. "William," said Nan patiently, "you and Lissie looked yesterday. There is no nest in the bottle. There never is. There never is anything in the bottle." William ignored Nan. "You'll look, won't you,

28

THE NOTE IN THE BIRD BOTTLE

Lissie? Promise?" "I promise," said Felicity quickly. She was impatient to go. She nudged Penny, and they trotted away. As they passed the smokehouse, Felicity glanced at the bird bottle to keep her promise to William, even though she knew nothing would be there. But to her great surprise, Felicity saw something white in the bird bottle. She reined Penny to a stop and squinted at it. Was the sun playing tricks on her eyes? Felicity � rode up for a closer look. There was something there. It was a scrap of cloth. Felicity put her hand in the bird bottle and pulled the cloth out. It looked like the corner of a handkerchief. It was wrapped around something hard, something like a stick. Quickly, Felicity unrolled the cloth. Out fell a wooden whistle. Felicity stared at it. She knew it was a signal whistle because she had seen Ben's. He had shown her how to blow it, and how it was used to give commands to soldiers. In fact, this signal whistle looked exactly like Ben's. Whose was it? Why had

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

someone put it in the bird bottle? Why was it wrapped in a scrap of handkerchief that was stained with berry juice? Felicity looked at the stains more closely and gasped. They were not stains at all! They were words, written with a stick dipped in berry juice! Felicity read the words on the scrap of cloth:

Ben? Ben was supposed to be in Williamsburg. How could he have left this note for her? Where was he? If he was nearby, why didn't he come to the house? And why did he need her help? Felicity's mind was spinning. Below the words on the scrap of cloth, Ben had made a rough map. The map showed Grandfather's house, the river, and the woods. There was an X in the woods. That must be where Ben was. Felicity took a shaky breath. Suddenly, it was all clear to her. Ben was hiding. For some reason,

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THE NOTE IN THE BIRD BOTTLE

he didn't want anyone but her to know where he was. Ben wanted her to find him by following the map. She should blow his signal whistle so that he would know it was safe to show himself. Felicity did not stop to think anymore. She urged Penny to a trot and went to look for Ben in the woods. Felicity and Penny entered the woods just behind the blackberry thicket. When they were deep in the forest, Felicity blew the signal whistle once, twice, three times. She heard Ben whistle in reply, and she rode toward the sound. It was not hard to find him, though he was well away from the riding path. He sat propped up against a big tree. One leg was stretched out in front of him, wrapped in bloody rags. "Ben!" exclaimed Felicity. "Benjamin Davidson! What on earth are you doing here?" She slipped off Penny's back. "What's happened to you?" Ben groaned and closed his eyes. Felicity stopped talking. She knelt next to him and then said quietly, "Ben, tell me what you are doing." Ben opened his eyes. His face was sweaty and streaked with mud. "I ran away," he said. "You know I want to be a soldier and fight with the Patriots. Two companies of soldiers from Virginia

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

"Benjamin Davidson! What on earth are you doing here?"

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THE NOTE IN THE BIRD BOTTLE

have already marched to Massachusetts to join the army George Washington is gathering there." Ben took a deep breath. "It's starting,Lissie," he said. "General Washington is going to lead an army of Patriots.We're going to fight the British.We're going to overthrow the rule of the king here in the colonies.I want to be part of the fight.But my apprenticeship agreement with your father won't allow it.So," he repeated, "I ran away." "When?" asked Felicity. "The night before last," answered Ben. "I thought I could make it to the Yorktown ferry and cross the river before your father ...before I was missed." Felicity sighed. "What went wrong?" she asked. "I knew I couldn't walk along the main road for fear of being seen," said Ben. "Still,I made good time through the woods until I came to King's Creek. It was so dark,I slipped and fell when I was cross­ ing the creek.I lost my pack of clothes and food and money.And I cut my leg on a sharp branch." "Your leg looks bad," said Felicity."It must hurt." Ben shrugged. "I knew I was not far from your

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

Grandfather's plantation, and I knew I needed your help. I found my way here and slept by this tree. Yesterday, I sneaked up closer to the house. I saw you and William looking at the bird bottle. So last night, I wrote you that message and hid it with my whistle in the bird bottle. I was hoping you'd find them today. I am very glad you did." "I'm glad, too," said Felicity. She stood up and dusted off her gown. "Because now I can tell you how foolish I think you're being. I'm going straight up to the house to fetch Grandfather." Ben reached up and grabbed Felicity's arm. "Don't!" he said. "Your grandfather is a Loyalist. He thinks the Patriots are wrong. You can't tell him about me, Lissie!" Felicity yanked her arm away. "Yes, I can!" she said. "I'd be dishonest if I didn't. I can't keep a secret like this!" She stalked away and swung herself up onto Penny. "Lissie," said Ben softly, "that's Penny, isn't it? I got your letter, saying that she was here. You must be happy to have your horse back." "Yes!" said Felicity, "I-" Suddenly, she stopped. She looked down at Ben. He was solemn.

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THE NOTE IN THE BIRD BOTTLE

Felicity remembered how Ben had helped her keep Penny a secret last fall. Ben had never told Mother or Father that Felicity was sneaking off every morning to ride Penny. She had asked Ben to keep her secret, and he had. How could she not do the same for him? Felicity spoke slowly. "Very well, Ben," she said. "I promise I will not tell anyone about you. You can trust me. I'll go back to the house now. But I'll be back soon with food and water and some medicine for your leg. Rest easy. I won't be long." She smiled at Ben a little bit. "You kept my secret. I shall keep yours. I promise." Ben grinned for the first time. "I knew you would, Felicity," he said. "You are a faithful friend."

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CHAPTER

FOUR

RUNAWAY

The afternoon sun was shining strong on the pines, and the air was scented with piney tang when Felicity returned to Ben in the woods. She handed Ben a basket of food. "You look as though you need this," she said. Ben took the food gratefully. "Indeed I do!" he said. "I've eaten enough blackberries to fill twenty pies, but I am still hungry!" "You'll need your strength," said Felicity. She knelt next to him. "I'm going to look at your leg." Very gently, Felicity unwrapped the rags from around Ben's leg. They were stiff with dried blood. Underneath them, Felicity

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saw a jagged gash running from the ankle to the knee. She washed the cut with river water she'd brought. "Now I'm going to put medicine on your leg," she told Ben. "It may hurt a bit." Ben concentrated on the bread he was eating. He only flinched a bit at the medicine's sting. "How do you know so much about medicine?" he asked. "Grandfather taught me," said Felicity. "He showed me how to grind herbs to make this medicine for Penny. It helped her scrape heal. It should help you, too." Felicity wrapped Ben's leg in strips from a clean petticoat. She tied the bandage around his leg with a ribbon. Ben smiled when he looked at the ribbon. "Well," he said. "My leg certainly looks prettier. It feels better, too." "It will be as good as new in a week or so," said Felicity. "A week!" exclaimed Ben. "I can't wait here that long!" Felicity shrugged. "You have no choice.

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

Besides," she said briskly, "I can't see that a sickly, skinny, limping soldier would do General Washington and his army one bit of good." She stood up and began to gather pine boughs from a fallen tree to make a bed for Ben. "Felicity," said Ben. "What do you think about all this-about General Washington and his army of Patriots?" "I'm sorry the disagreements between the king and the colonists have gone so far," said Felicity. "I hoped there wouldn't be any fighting. I hoped the differences could be solved another way." "That's what your father says," said Ben. "So you agree with him. You think I am wrong." Felicity sat down and looked straight at Ben. "Aye," she said. "I can't say you are wrong to stand up for what you believe in. But I do think you are going about it the wrong way. Breaking your apprenticeship agreement with my father is not honorable. It's wrong the way a lie is wrong. You'll shame your family and yourself. I'm afraid-" ''I'm not afraid," Ben cut in. "If you were older, you'd understand."

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"Oh!" said Felicity tartly. "Well! I understand enough to know that this is not a brave beginning! If you run away from my father, what will happen when you meet an enemy?" Ben was quiet. "Did you even talk to my father?" Felicity asked. "Did you even ask him to let you go?" Ben frowned. "You know as well as I do that he would hold me to my apprenticeship agreement," he said. "Your father would not let me break my promise to him." "Indeed," said Felicity slowly. "I always thought it was a promise you made to yourself, to do what you said you would do, no matter how hard it was." Ben leaned his head back against the tree. Felicity stood up. "I'm going now," she said. "But I will be back tomorrow. I hope you'll think about what we've said." "I will," said Ben. "But I will not change my mind." "No," said Felicity, "but maybe you will have a change of heart."

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

It was not difficult for Felicity to visit Ben the next few days, nor was it difficult to find food for him. The cook never minded if Felicity took food from the kitchen, and it was easy to gather berries and peaches still warm from the sun. Felicity put to use some of the things Grandfather had taught her about living in the woods to make Ben more com­ fortable. The medicine was helping Ben's leg heal quickly. In fact, Felicity did not want to tell Ben how well his leg was healing. She kept hoping he might decide not to go. But the decision was forced upon him sooner than she expected. One morning, as Felicity, Nan, William, and Grandfather were eating breakfast, Mother came into the dining room and handed Grandfather a letter. Then she turned to the children and said, "The letter is from your father, children. He is coming here tomorrow, rather than waiting until Sunday as usual." "Hurray!" said Nan and William. Felicity wished she could feel as happy as

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they did. But she couldn't. She thought she knew why Father was coming. He was looking for Ben. She made her voice sound calm. "Oh! How fine," she said. Grandfather put the letter down and said crisply, "It seems that Ben, that hot-headed apprentice, has run off. I warned your father about Ben when I was in Williamsburg this spring. I said he was spending too much time watching the militia muster. Now it appears I was right. That foolish boy has run off-probably to fight with the Patriots. Humph! Your father is well rid of such a troublesome scoundrel." "Now, now," said Mother. "Ben's a good lad. Maybe he's gone to visit his family and plans to come back." "Well!" said Grandfather. "Then why did he leave without a word? And why did your husband put a notice in the Gazette?" "Father put a notice in the newspaper?" asked Felicity. "Aye," said Grandfather. "Here it is. You may have it." Felicity's eyes widened with fear as she read:

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FELICITY SAVES THE DAY

e ,e t. e y e y, er d 1e

WILLIAMSBURG, A11Kt1st 19, 1775. UN away from tl �e �Subs