Her father smiled down at his nephew. “I’m glad you like to learn. You’re the best apprentice I’ve ever had.”
She watched Colin’s cheeks turn pink with pride. “I don’t want to forget how to treat all the different sicknesses when I’m a doctor.”
“You’ll have books to help you remember, like this new one you bought at Henry Knox’s bookshop down the street.” Her father lifted a thick book bound in brown leather with gold letters.
“I–I want to get a degree from a medical school, too.” Colin held his breath. Kate knew it was his greatest dream to get a university degree. He’d never told anyone but her.
Her father shook his head. “You don’t need to go to a university to be a doctor. Most doctors learn only through apprenticeship and reading, as you’re learning.”
“I know, sir, but I want to be the best doctor possible. I want to know everything I can to help my patients.”
Father smiled. “Have you decided which university you want to go to?” The tone of his voice told Kate he wasn’t taking Colin seriously.
“Either Philadelphia or King’s College in New York. They’re the only medical schools in the American colonies.” Colin’s voice was determined.
“Well—”
Crash!
All three of them spun toward the door. Kate’s friend, Sarah, leaned against it. Wrapped in her apron, she carried a small tan dog with a black nose and a black tip on its long, skinny tail.
“Liberty!” Kate cried. “What happened to my dog?”
CHAPTER 4
Will Boston Starve?
The lilac dress Sarah wore was covered with dirt. The ties of her white linen scarf had slid up under one ear. She sounded as though she had been running.
“Put Liberty on the counter,” Father said. Kate could see that Sarah was handling the dog gently, but Liberty still whimpered. She ran a hand lightly over the dog’s short fur, and her heart ached for her little friend. “It’s okay, boy,” she soothed.
“It’s his right front leg.” Sarah was still trying to catch her breath. “He can’t walk on it.”
Kate’s father took the leg carefully between his hands. Liberty yelped and tried to sit up. Kate put her hands on both sides of Liberty’s head. “Shh, Liberty.”
While her father ran his fingers lightly over the rest of Liberty’s body, looking for other injuries, Kate looked at Sarah. “What happened? Was he hit by a carriage?”
Tears pooled in Sarah’s blue eyes, but they couldn’t hide the anger that flashed there. “No. It was some mean Loyalist boys. When the boys heard me call him Liberty, they said he was a nasty Patriot dog. They threw stones at him!”
Anger flashed through Kate. How could anyone be so cruel?
“His leg is broken,” her father said.
“I’ll set it.” Colin glanced up at the doctor. “I mean, if you don’t mind, sir.”
“You certainly know how to handle a broken leg by now. I’ll get some bandages and wood for a splint.” Kate’s father started for the small room at the back where wood was stored.
Sarah’s blue eyes sparkled above her freckled nose, and her dark brown hair waved over her shoulders. “I yelled at the boys to stop. They called me awful names and kept throwing stones at poor Liberty.”
“How did you get Liberty away?” Kate asked.
Sarah shrugged. “I ran into the middle of them and picked up Liberty in my apron.”
Colin looked impressed. “Did you get hit by any stones?”
“A couple.”
Dr. Milton gently grasped Sarah’s shoulders. “Were you hurt?”
Sarah winced. “Not much.” She rubbed a dirty spot at the top of one arm. “I think I might have a black and blue spot here.” Her hand went to her head and gingerly explored a spot there.
Dr. Milton pushed her scarf back. “Sarah, there’s a lump here as large as a goose egg!”
Sarah shrugged again. “Well, I haven’t a broken leg like Liberty.”
“You could have been hurt badly,” Dr. Milton said. “What if a rock had hit you in the face?”
“It didn’t. Anyway, I couldn’t let them keep hurting Liberty!” She looked up at Dr. Milton. “Please don’t tell my parents, though,” she pleaded. “I’m really fine.”
Dr. Milton shook his head. “I don’t know, Sarah. You seem to be all right, but your mother should probably keep an eye on you this evening. I’d hate to see you punished, though, for protecting our dog.”
“It’s those stupid Loyalist boys who should be punished,” Sarah stormed. “Just shows how awful Loyalists are.”
Kate laughed and propped her hands on her hips. “My family is Loyalist, remember?”
“I forgot.”
Kate giggled when Sarah blushed.
Kate’s father started back toward the wood room. “We’d best set Liberty’s leg. Go and clean up, Sarah, before you go home. Maybe your mother won’t be as upset if you don’t look as though you just came through a battle.”
Kate remembered the way Mama had been the night she came home late after the tea party. She realized her father must understand that the more worried a mother felt, the angrier she was apt to be.
Kate put her hand on her friend’s arm. “Sarah, thank you. You’re a good friend and a brave one.”
Sarah grinned. “So are you. Even if your family is Loyalist.”
Kate knew Sarah and her family were strong Patriots. Her father was even more outspoken about Englishmen’s rights than Uncle Jack and Harrison were. She was glad that Father never seemed to hold that against Sarah.
Kate smiled and stroked Liberty’s head. “I’m just glad Liberty wasn’t hurt any worse.”
Liberty tried to lick her hand. Kate didn’t know what she would have done if Sarah hadn’t saved the little dog from the cruel boys. How could people act so mean? She hated the angry feelings that were swirling through Boston these days, driving people apart.
A month later, shades of pink and orange cast by the rising sun were fading from the sky over Boston’s streets and harbor as Colin, Susanna, and Kate hurried down the cobbled, narrow street toward the common. Two- and three-story brick houses hugged the street’s edge on either side of them. The homes and shops were built so close their walls touched. Smoke from breakfast fires and craftsmen’s fires filled the air.
The young people leaped into a nearby doorway to let a farmer and his creaking, two-wheeled cart pass. Colin grinned and pointed. “Look at the turkey.” The bird sat in the cart atop a basket of turnips. It turned its head this way and that and gobbled constantly. “At least farmers can still get into Boston over the Neck to sell their food, even if nothing can come by boat or ferry.”
Kate’s smile died. “Farmers come to the market, but people aren’t buying much. People don’t have much money. Sarah’s father is a carpenter. He hasn’t had any work since the harbor closed.”
Many of her father’s patients hadn’t paid the doctor, either. These days, some people made less money in a month than they used to make in a day.
“Many farmers sell most of their vegetables, flour, and meat to the soldiers and marines,” Susanna said. “The redcoats won’t starve. Britain sends ships with food for them.”
Kate sighed. “Father says things will get worse after harvest is over.”
“Harvest is months away,” Colin said. “Surely the blockade will be over by then.”
Kate’s blue eyes sparkled with hope. “Do you think so?”
“I haven’t heard anyone say so,” he admitted. “Still, I can’t believe the British troops would let people starve. Even some of the Patriots are friendly with the soldiers. Some of the soldiers are courting Boston girls. Why, I’ve even heard that Lieutenant Colonel Percy breakfasts every day with John Hancock. There’s no stronger Patriot than Mr. Hancock! Could the soldiers hurt the townspeople when they are so friendly with us?”
“I hope you’re right.” Kate sighed.
Susanna rested her arm along Kate’s
shoulders and smiled. “Our heavenly Father will look out for us, you’ll see.”
“I hope He looks out for us better than the other colonies have,” Kate said. “They promised to help us, but they haven’t yet.” Fear squiggled down her spine. Maybe Father was right and the other colonies weren’t going to help Boston.
Before they reached the common, they heard the silver bugles calling the redcoats to drill. The day after the harbor was closed, a regiment of British troops had set up camp on the common. Now four regiments were camped there and two groups of artillery with cannons. Cannons on the common, threatening Boston’s own people! In the harbor, men-of-war pointed more cannons at the town. A year ago, Kate would never have thought such a thing could happen.
Still, part of her couldn’t help but find it exciting to have the streets, shops, and common filled with soldiers in the bright red uniforms that made people call them “lobsterbacks” and “redcoats.” When she watched them drill, a thrill ran through her. She didn’t tell anyone, though. She was ashamed to feel that way, no matter what her family believed about the soldiers. Lately, Kate felt torn between Patriots and Loyalists. When she was with Mama and Father, she felt like a Loyalist—but when she was with Sarah or Colin and his family, she felt like a Patriot. Which side was right? Was God on one side and not the other? Or could both sides possibly be right? It was all so confusing that it made her head ache sometimes.
Tents and red-and-white uniforms splashed color across the common’s grassy slopes. Soldiers were smothering the fires where they’d cooked their breakfast. Kate could still smell the meat and eggs they’d cooked. Some soldiers were readying horses for the officers. Others were grabbing muskets from where they’d been stacked in a circle and rushing to line up for drill. Men and boys from Boston stood in groups, watching. With the port closed, many had time to watch instead of work.
Kate stopped near a bay-colored horse with a black mane and tail. She ran a hand over the horse’s shoulder. It turned its head and sniffed Kate’s hand.
“What are you looking at, lass?”
Kate’s head jerked toward the tall officer beside the horse. Like all officers, he wore a powdered white wig that curled tightly at his ears and tied in a club in back. His black eyebrows showed his hair’s true color.
Kate swallowed the lump in her throat. “I–I was just looking at the fine horse, sir.”
“Maybe you were thinking of stealing her. You and your young friends here.” He scowled at Colin and Susanna.
“No, sir! We wouldn’t!”
The officer crossed his arms and looked up and down at the three young people. “I suppose you’re all Patriot rebel brats.”
Colin’s hand balled into a fist. “I’m a—” He stopped short. Kate knew he wanted to say he was a Patriot and proud of it. But Uncle Jack and Harrison had warned all the family to be careful what they said around the soldiers. The Patriot leaders didn’t want to anger the troops. “I’m an English citizen,” Colin finished lamely.
The officer snorted. “Not a loyal one, I’ll bet.”
Susanna’s fists perched on her hips. Long red curls slipped over the shoulder of her yellow muslin gown. “You needn’t speak to him that way. Have British officers no manners?”
“It isn’t wise for the town’s children to be fooling with an officer’s horse, miss.” The officer stared boldly at her.
“Is there a problem here, Lieutenant Rand?” Kate turned toward the calm, sure voice. Another officer had stepped up beside them.
Lieutenant Rand straightened. “Just speaking with some of the locals.”
“I’m Lieutenant John Andrews.” The new officer’s friendly, blue-eyed gaze swept over them. “I’m honored to make your acquaintance.” Removing his two-cornered black hat, he bowed from the waist. “Have you come to see the troops?”
“No, sir,” Colin answered. “We brought medicine for the regiment’s doctor.”
A frown settled above the blue eyes. “That’s a strange delivery, isn’t it?”
“I’m Colin Lang, Dr. Firth Milton’s apprentice. This is my sister, Susanna, and Dr. Milton’s daughter, Kate. Your regiment’s doctor sent a soldier to Dr. Milton saying he needed certain herbs. I’ve brought them for him, but I don’t know where to find him.”
“The doctor’s tent is over there.” Lieutenant Andrews pointed to the top of a grassy knoll where a tent was pitched beneath a tall oak. “If I might suggest, it would be best if you young ladies didn’t come near the soldiers’ camps without a male escort.”
Colin stepped between the officer and Susanna. “That’s why I’m with them.”
Surprise widened Lieutenant Andrews’s eyes. Kate waited for him to say that Colin was only a boy. Instead he nodded and shook hands with Colin. “Of course. How wise of you.” With another bow to Susanna and Kate, he left.
“He’s awfully nice, isn’t he?” Kate stared after him.
“He’s a British officer. The reason he’s in Boston isn’t nice at all,” Colin reminded her.
Kate smiled hopefully. “Maybe all these soldiers will make Boston pay for the tea, and then everything will go back to the way it used to be.”
“Girls!” Colin exclaimed in disgust. “You think there’s an easy answer for everything.” He stalked toward the doctor’s tent, and Kate hurried to catch up with him. She didn’t care what Colin said. She was certain that Lieutenant Andrews could make things right again in Boston if he only had the chance.
But then Kate thought of Harry and Uncle Jack and Sarah’s father. Men like them were so angry. She sighed. Colin was right after all. There was no easy answer.
When the young people headed back toward town, the streets were filled with more families piling carts with everything they owned and leaving Boston. Kate knew they were afraid there’d be fighting with troops in Boston. Many more troops were on their way.
“Colin! Susanna! Kate!”
They turned to see Harrison running toward them, his tricorn hat in one hand. “Great news!” He stopped beside them, panting and grinning.
“What is it?” Colin asked.
“Rice! South Carolina’s sent two hundred barrels of rice. The rice is coming across the Neck now. And Carolina’s promised to send eight hundred more barrels.” Harry whipped his hat in the air. “They’re uniting! The colonies are uniting for Boston!”
CHAPTER 5
Signs of War
To the surprise of the Loyalists and redcoats, gifts poured in over the Neck. The other colonies sent rice, meal, flour, rye, bread, codfish, cattle, and money. A farmer from Connecticut brought an entire flock of sheep.
Colin and Kate’s uncle Thomas was on the town’s Gifts Committee, along with some of the colonies’ strongest Patriots, Sam and John Adams and Josiah Quincy.
When Uncle Thomas asked Kate to help deliver gifts, she eagerly said yes. It didn’t matter whether the people she took the gifts to were Patriots or Loyalists. “No one should go hungry, no matter what he believes,” she told Colin.
“Thanks to the other towns and colonies, no one in Boston has gone hungry,” Colin said.
Kate’s shoulders sagged beneath her yellow and blue calico gown. “If the Patriots would pay for the tea, people wouldn’t have to beg the committee for food.”
“It’s not the Patriots’ fault King George is punishing everyone in Boston for what the tea partyers did,” Colin said quietly.
Kate sighed. Here it was again, the same old confusion that made her head ache. When she was with Colin, sometimes she thought of herself as a Patriot—and other times, like now, she felt as though she had to defend the Loyalists. Lately, she and her cousin argued more and more, just like their fathers did.
Things were tense all over Boston. The men who were out of work were growing angrier every day. They couldn’t buy what their families needed, and since they weren’t working, they had nothing to do with their time but gripe about their troubles. The men fished off the empty, quiet wharves and complained about t
he king. They were certain the king was wrong and the Patriots were right. Many people who didn’t know whether to be Loyalists or Patriots before the tea party were now becoming Patriots. But not Kate’s parents. They were still loyal to England.
Not everything was bleak, though. In order to receive the food that the other colonies had donated, Bostonians had to volunteer for various projects. Streets were paved, buildings were fixed, docks were cleaned, wharves were repaired, and hundreds worked at the brickyard on the Neck.
“It’s like the town is having a housecleaning!” Kate joked to Colin when she came home from making deliveries one day.
On a day in late August, Kate whistled as she walked home from making her deliveries. She knew Mama wouldn’t approve of her whistling—”It’s not ladylike!” she’d say—but Kate was feeling happy for a change. She liked the bustle and sounds of the street: a boy beating a drum while calling out his master’s wares, wooden cart and wagon wheels rumbling along the pebbles, horses’ hooves marking a lazy beat, the creak of the wooden signs above every shop swinging in the breeze.
If only there weren’t redcoats everywhere, reminding her that everything had changed.
She stopped in the open door of her uncle’s printing shop. Lieutenant Rand was waving a sheet of freshly printed paper and yelling at Uncle Jack, Colin, and Harry. “This is treason!” His face was almost as red as his uniform.
Uncle Jack leaned a hip against the tall, wooden printing press and swung his wire-rimmed spectacles in one hand. Kate wondered how he could be so calm with a British officer screaming at him only a couple feet away. “The handbill only tells what our county leaders said today at their meeting.”
Lieutenant Rand threw the handbill down and ground it into the wooden floor planks with the heel of his shiny black boot. “They’ve all but declared war on England!”
“Lieutenant Rand, what they said is not my problem. With the harbor closed, I’ll gladly print items for either Patriots or Loyalists in order to feed my family.”
Kate watched wide-eyed as Lieutenant Rand clutched the hilt of the sword that hung at his side. Surely the lieutenant wouldn’t draw his sword on her uncle! Kate’s heart beat so hard it made her chest hurt.
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