Hellen

A week had passed since the hurricane. We all were a bit baffled by the events, especially so soon after Simon’s passing. However, all our troubles were blown away when we heard the word we’d been waiting to hear for the past six weeks.

“Land ho!” shouted a naval soldier. 

I grinned and looked at my siblings, whose faces had also lit up with excitement. We’d finally get to feel the grass on our bare feet. We could ask a colonist to take us to New Haven. We could find the Turners and stay with them while we saved up the money that we’d lost when we left England.

The ship came to a halt and my brothers and sister gathered the items that we had with us. We waited until we heard no more footsteps before carefully climbing up to the upper deck, where we blinked at the bright light we hadn’t seen in so long.

Once our sight adjusted, Sarah gasped. “What’s wrong?” asked Philip, alarmed by her sudden reaction. 

“Rhode Island…” she said. “It’s beautiful!” 

She was not wrong. Newport, Rhode Island was filled with shops and homes. There was a shockingly large number of ships in the harbor. I had always thought that all the ships anchored in Boston.

We walked up to a coach, where a driver stood next to his horse. Philip asked if he could take us to Connecticut. He scoffed at my brother. “Connecticut? Why would you need to go to Connecticut? Shouldn’t you be fighting for our freedom, young man?” 

“I beg your pardon, sir,” I interrupted. “but we just came all the way from London itself. So, if you don’t mind, I insist that you take us to New Haven, or we will inform the King of your disobedience.” 

The man answered with great sarcasm, “Oh no! The King! I’m so scared of King George III!” 

“Don’t you dare argue with me! I am Hellen Page of the lovely Page family, who has been friendly with the royal family since the Medieval Era!” 

“Page family, eh? Didn’t that family dishonor the country and lose all their power and all that?” 

“You knew?” I questioned, now nervous. 

“Miss Page, the whole of America knows about them Pages. They were a huge help to us Patriots weren’t they, Jack?” 

His horse whinnied and nodded. My eyes darted back and forth between the man and Jack the horse. “D-did you train him to do that?” 

“I did not. The fellow was born a Patriot and I couldn’t be gladder that I found him and bought him. 

“Well, he’s a fine one, sir, but we really must get to New Haven and find the Turners. They’re a family friend and we’re going to stay with.” 

“Ah, you’re friends with those Loyalists, are you? Well, I suppose Jack might like a bit of exercise. I’ll offer you a bargain. I’ll take you to New Haven, but I need you to do something for me.” 

“What must we do?” 

“Do you have any money?” 

I looked at Philip and Charles, who automatically searched their pockets and pulled out a few pounds and euros. They offered all they had to the man. “No, I don’t want it. I need you to go to the market for me and purchase an apple for Jack here. The shop is run by Loyalists, so I’m not allowed in, but you four would be, and Jack needs to eat, or he’ll starve. I can’t afford to lose my best horse. Good luck.” 

I smiled at the man and I turned to go and find the market.