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[Timekeepers 01.0] A Revolutionary Tale

Page 14

by J. Y. Harris


  “May be. Maybe there are a lot of stories of small actions that have big consequences. And maybe those stories need to be told, too.”

  “But the next question is: if someone tells one of these stories, will anyone believe it? After all, it’s just a ‘story;’ there is no actual proof.”

  It was Brad’s turn to shrug. “Well, maybe it all depends on how the story is told. A community service report, a research paper—who knows, maybe even a novel.”

  Kristen smiled. “Yeah, I hear that. Mom has always said she learned more from historical novels than she ever did in history class.”

  “And there’s plenty of it out there. As you said a minute ago: whether it’s history in general, or the history of some small town, or an obscure battle… all you have to do is look for it, and chances are, you’ll find something pretty darned cool.”

  Kristen’s cell phone rang, and she reached into her backpack to answer it, once again looking forward to the “normal” Saturday activities that she so recently had been lamenting.

  In a similar frame of mind, Brad called out to his friend.

  “Yo, Eric! Wait up….”

  The End

  Author’s Note:

  I hope you enjoyed Timekeepers: A Revolutionary Tale. It was fun to write—and fun to read about the history surrounding these events.

  The Battle of White Marsh was real. It wasn’t a big battle, but it was important nonetheless. However, as an author I took a minor liberty in the timeline. This book places the battle in the autumn, when the actual event took place in December, 1777. I know, most of December technically is in autumn, but I didn’t want to use the ‘real’ date as that would have the two teenagers roaming around the Pennsylvania forest in one of the coldest months of the year.

  The story of Lydia Darragh (Darrow) is also real. As told here, it’s not well documented and not officially confirmed, but the tale exists. Once again, I took a few liberties for the sake of good storytelling, but the basis of the “spy” story is true.

  If you enjoyed A Revolutionary Tale, you might also enjoy more of the Everhearts’ Timekeepers adventures. In Civil Disturbance, Brad and Kristen find themselves flung back to the nineteenth century, at the tail end of one monumental event and at the cusp of another… and this time, they each travel back in time separately. Additionally, in Good as Gold, the siblings have a hand in events relating to the first gold discovered in North America.

  Timekeepers: A Revolutionary Tale - set during the American Revolution

  Timekeepers: Civil Disturbance – takes place at the tail end of the Civil War **Bonus~ read a snippet from this book, below!**

  Timekeepers: Good as Gold – early 1800s, first discovery of gold in North America

  I’d love to have your opinions of the Timekeepers books… please take a moment to leave a review on the site where you purchased the book. Or, feel free to e-mail me at jyharrisbooks@gmail.com, or visit the J.Y. Harris Books page on Facebook.

  Thanks for letting me tell my story.

  Bonus Content ~ Excerpt from Timekeepers: Civil Disturbance.

  PROLOGUE

  The pain was agonizing. Its intensity caused him to gasp, which only resulted in another paralyzing stab. He knew it wasn’t a fatal wound, but it was hard to consider it objectively—after all, he’d never been shot before. His hand went to his side and felt the stickiness, warm to his fingers in the chill spring evening.

  The man stopped behind a shed, listening. Trying to slow his breathing, he drew in as deep a breath as he dared. Other than his racing heart, he heard nothing. The gunman was either looking for him elsewhere, or right around the corner of the shed, waiting for him to emerge. After about ten minutes, he knew he had no choice: he had to keep moving.

  Cautiously he peered around the corner: nothing. Slightly encouraged, the man stepped out from his cover and made for the tree-line. Just one fence separated him from invisibility in the darkening night.

  The man started to run, the pain in his side causing a limping gait. He was about ten yards from the wooden fence when he heard a noise behind him. Was it the gunman, with him in his sights? Without turning, he increased his pace as much as possible. He awkwardly, hurriedly threw himself over the rough wooden fence, needle-like pains stabbing his leg as he did so; he landed in a gasping heap.

  If his wound had been painful before, it was nothing to what he felt now. The man blinked as his vision blurred. Every breath was a white-hot poker in his lungs. Once again gasping in short breaths, he steadied himself and listened.

  Nothing; all was quiet.

  Trying to relax, the man managed to get to his feet. There was no pursuer ready to pounce on him; he must have been successful in dodging the gunman after all. It would probably be morning before anyone would be able to see a blood trail, if there was one.

  Using a portion of his pant-leg that had been torn by the fence, the man bound his wound as best he could. It was easier to breathe now; as long as he could keep taking shallow breaths, he thought he’d be able to walk well enough. Baltimore was behind him, and he’d heard of some folks a few miles out of town who might be able to help him. Once he had a decent bandage and a bit of food and rest, he’d keep going.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “North! Why’d we have to come north?” Kristen asked from the backseat as she adjusted her seat belt. “Most families go someplace fun—and warm—when the kids are on spring break. You know: Orlando or Miami, even Savannah or Myrtle Beach. But us? No, we have to go north.”

  In the front passenger seat, her brother Brad rolled his eyes. “Yes, Kris, we know: upstate New York is not the ideal spring break destination. You said the same thing at least once per hour the other day, during the whole eight-hour drive up from Philly. Give it a rest, already.”

  Chocolate-brown eyes glanced into the rear-view mirror. “Yeah, and thanks for making me feel special. I live here, after all.”

  Kristen reached forward to her cousin, who was driving, and ruffled her short, close-cropped hair.

  “I know, Sally, and we love you. But when I think about getting away during semester break, Auburn is not the first place that springs to mind.”

  “Hey, at least you went somewhere. This is my break, too, you know, and that day-trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown tomorrow is about as far from home as I’m likely to get.”

  “Yeah, I’m looking forward to that,” Brad agreed. “But first, we have to get the educational portion of our visit out of the way.”

  “Is it just me, or does it just seem wrong to have an ‘educational portion’ of a spring break trip?”

  “It’s just you,” Sally retorted. “Most kids I know are having to do some schoolwork over the break. I have a chem exam when I get back.”

  “Yeah, Kris, you’re just lucky your project’s topic is what it is, and our trip gives you an opportunity to do research firsthand.”

  Kristen smirked and glanced at some paperwork she’d taken out of her purse. “Come on, dude, you think it’s coincidence that my history report is on the purchase of Alaska? Knowing that our wonderful aunt and uncle live here in Auburn, which happens to be the home of William Seward, the man who brokered the deal?”

  Her tone clearly said ‘think again!,’ and Brad turned to look at her. “When you chose your topic, you couldn’t possibly have known we were coming up here.”

  “You’re right, I didn’t. But I did know that my sweet, wonderful, beautiful cousin Sally could help me if I needed some personal research done.”

  Sally glanced in the mirror and gave a snort. “Don’t let the skin color fool you, girl; I ain’t your slave. Besides, you got the internet at your house. Do your own darn research.”

  “Well, now I guess I have to,” Kris said, folding and returning the printed Omnipedia page to her small purse. “You guys sure you don’t want to come with me, for moral support?”

  “You’re on your own, sis.”

  “Yeah, I got my own research to do,”
Sally said. “The Harriet Tubman Home is only open until noon on Fridays, so I want to be sure I have time to look around before then.”

  Sally pulled the car over and stopped in front of the William Seward house. Kristen unbuckled her seatbelt.

  “Okay, then. Call or text me when you leave there.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Find out what happens while Kristen’s in the Seward House museum… and who she’s with at the time! And you won’t believe what trouble Brad gets himself and Sally into just a few minutes later. (Hint: it’s a time-travel book!) Timekeepers: Civil Disturbance

  Whether you choose to share the further adventures of Brad and Kristen or not… keep reading!!

 

 

 


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