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Chapter Six: The Militia Escape

Muffled voices drifted through the main headquarters into the surgery corridor, attracting her attention from Mr. Phelps's side. Curious, Cora excused herself, moving past the wounded into the timber doorway of her father's crowded office, her eyes spotting both familiar and unfamiliar faces.

The occupants, with the exception of her father, Duncan, and Nathaniel, all appeared to be colonial militia officers, each looking anxious to take leave... and Cora could easily imagine why. Nathaniel must have informed the militia of the raid upon Cameron's cabin, alerting them that their homes and family were now in jeopardy of attack. Alice's question, it seemed, was about to be answered.

"I must receive proof more conclusive than this man's opinion before I weaken our defenses by allowing militia to withdraw," Her father informed, his face masked of emotion.

"Chingachgook's of the same opinion. Taken together, that's gospel. Your fort will stand or fall depending on Webb and reinforcements, not the militia," One man replied.

"I judge military matters here, Captain Winthrop, not you!"

Nathaniel gazed unflinchingly at her father, his lips pursed into a thin frown. "That judgment is not more important than their right under agreement with Webb to defend their farms and families. Major Heyward was at Cameron's cabin. He saw what it was."

"What did you see, Major?"

Cora's eyes flickered onto Duncan at her father's question, examining him with a level stare as his eyes also found hers. Would Duncan pick to be the good soldier in defense of British military interests? Or would he choose to help these men whose families were helpless out in the frontier?

He quickly looked away, his moment of decision up, as he replied, "I saw nothing that would lead me to the conclusion it was other than a raid by savages bent on thievery."

"You're a liar!" Nathaniel snarled, his efforts of moving to attack stopped by Jack.

Cora shook her head sadly. She thought Duncan would have been noble enough to help let them go, especially after what they had seen on their way here... her judgment had been poorly miscalculated. Stepping slowly away from her position at the door, Cora made her way back to her father's quarters, needing to find more bandages for wounded patients.

"Montcalm is a soldier and a gentleman. Not a butcher."

"Easy for you to say," Nathaniel hissed, "While it is their women and children, not yours, alone on their farms!"

"You forget yourself!"

Jack, angered, shouted, "We are not forgetting Webb's promise!"

Munro frowned. "British promises are honored. And the militia will not be released. Because I need more definite proof than this man's word!"

"Nathaniel's word has been good on the frontier a long time before you got here!"

"This interview is over!" Munro bellowed, "The militia stays!"

"Does the rule of English law no longer govern? Has it been replaced by absolutism?"

Nathaniel nodded, adding with disgusted anger, "And if English law cannot be trusted, maybe these people would do better making their peace with the French."

Heyward reared back. "That is sedition! I ought to have you whipped from this fort!"

"Some day, Major, I think you and I are gonna have a series disagreement," Nathaniel replied, his eyes narrowing at the officer.

"Anyone fomenting or advocating leaving Fort William Henry will be hung for sedition. Anyone leaving will be shot for desertion. My decision is final. Get out."

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Alice awoke to the sharp rapping on her father's door, hearing the wooden barrier squeak open from her fetal position on the bed.

"Cora... I wanted to talk to you... I'll come back at another time..."

"Alice-"

Ignoring her sister's protest, Alice rose groggily from the bed, murmuring, "Talk to Duncan, Cora... I slept long enough, anyway, I should think. I'm sure Mr. Phelps needs some help in surgery."

Walking out quickly, Alice made her way toward the surgery quarters. She didn't know what Duncan wished to speak to her sister about... from the look on his face, it must have been serious. And she was suddenly glad to have gotten out of it.

Glancing around her, Alice saw that Mr. Phelps indeed needed a hand... or possibly two. She briefly wondered how a man of his age could possibly hold as many hours as he does in his profession. Even holding the jobs as her and Cora were doing was exhausting...

"Mr. Phelps-"

The man turned, his shirt and dusty trousers now stained with the blood of many previous patients. "Ah, Miss Alice!"

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Hiding from prying eyes behind crates and early wreckage of the fort, the men of the colonial militia gathered.

"But we are under English military authority!"

Jack, keeping his voice low and neutral, replied, "I believe if they set aside their law as and when they wish, their law no longer has rightful authority over us. All they have over us then is tyranny... and I'll stay here no longer. Anyone caught leaving the fort could be shot. So each man make your own decision... those who are going, be back here in an hour."

Nathaniel nodded. "Out the Northern sally port. Strike for the east side of the swamp until you clear the French picket line. Head north over the ridge, then come about southeast and fork left in Little Meadow and you're free of the outpost and skirmishers..."

"Got no families, Cap. We figured we'd stay and give 'em a hand," one colonial spoke.

"I'll cover them from the top of the casement," Nathaniel added quietly.

Jack gawked at him for a moment. "You're not coming with us?"

"No. I got a reason to stay."

Jack grinned, asking in a neutral voice, "Would that reason happen to wear a striped skirt and work in the surgery?"

Nodding, Nathaniel quipped, "It does. No offense, but its a better looking reason than you, Jack Winthrop."

After the quiet laughter died, both men looked at each other solemnly. "Good luck, Jack."

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"Alice, you and Cora have helped me well on through the afternoon and I cannot ask for your assistance anymore. Please, retire for the remainder of the night... I can tell that you're exhausted."

Alice visibly sighed, stiffling a yawn. It was true, but... "What about you Mr. Phelps?"

"Aw, don't worry, my dear. Another surgeon has been on call. I think its time we all got a little rest, don't you?"

"MMMmmm."

"Good. I'll see you both in the morning, yes?"

"You can be sure of it, Sir. Goodnight."

"Yes. Goodnight, Miss Alice."

After cleaning up for the new surgeon, Alice left, wandering through the fort instead of the spare room that had been next door. She needed to clear her head before she did anything else...

Suddenly restless, her eyes followed through the dim trail of fires that had been lit across the ground, creating a flickering line of orange and red. Muffled coughs were heard through the distance, along with the faint music of playing fiddles. Darkness surrounded her, along with wreckage from the fort's daily bombardment.

To tell the truth, Albany had been a much improved sight than this... war was never pretty. She had been happy to see her father again though... even if he wasn't quite a warm and generally friendly person. He seemed to reserve what little he had of those qualities for only his daughters, and even that was not much. He hadn't come to speak with them, and Alice imagined that it was his "duties" that had him preoccupied for the duration of their stay.

They probably wouldn't talk much at all within the next few days either, especially with the possibility of the fort falling over to the French. She had heard the news while working among the wounded in surgery... and the information had been quite distressing. What would happen were the fort to fall in French hands?

All she could sum up was more bloodshed.

Alice stopped short in mid-stride, suddenly sensing eyes on her. She hoped it wasn't Duncan, or Cora... her father would probably pitch a fit if he found out she was wandering out here alone... with a war going on.

Perhaps she could tell him that she had felt faint?

'Oh, yes, he'd really believe that one, wouldn't he?' She thought, cursing herself for her stupidity. Next in line to scold her would probably be Cora. Sighing heavily, Alice hesitantly looked up. And her eyes met with the last person she had expected to be out here.

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She stood off silently in the distance near the glowing fire trails of the fort's wreckage, her golden locks loose; cascading down her back and shoulders.

She wandered quietly alone, her head moving to gaze at the remaining sides of the fort. Her hands fell to her sides, grasping the torn material of her dress, which was also covered with visible crimson stains of human blood. She must have been working in surgery most of the night... a conclusive thought that somewhat puzzled him.

He had also been astonished, to say the least, to find her out wandering alone in the middle of the fort... where it wasn't safe. Cannons, along with muskets and militia rifles, were still being fired... and both on the opposite side. French cannons were still being detonated far off in the distance, but despite that, Uncas wouldn't recommend anyone staying on this fort's side, especially since this open area appeared to have already been partially destroyed.

He was merely here because his father had sent him out to find Hawkeye... and after searching for quite a bit of time, within the amount of an hour at least, he still hadn't been successful. His search had, it seemed, only led him to her.

Her blonde head lifted up slowly, her eyes searching, seeming to sense his watchful gaze.

Their eyes met and she looked at him, startled, having quite obviously not been expecting him here. He watched her for a brief spell... and then began to walk purposefully toward her, not surprised as she remained unmoving.

Finding her voice, Alice asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same of you... this place isn't safe," Uncas warned.

Frowning with what looked like an indignant expression, she replied, "And yet, here you are"

"I'm looking for my brother," He answered, silently implying that his search was a rather good excuse for his presence here.

Alice didn't seemed to be very impressed.

"Oh, well, haven't seen him. Goodnight, Sir," She responded tartly, starting off... only to have him grasp her arm, pulling her gently but forcefully, to his side. He had no intention of letting her get herself killed.

"Miss Munro..."

Attempting to writhe out of the hold, Alice demanded sharply, "What do you think you're doing?!"

"Escorting you back," he replied casually, starting forward, despite her sounds of protest. He noticed her struggles soon began to cease, as she obviously didn't want to cause a public scene.

Rather than screaming, as not to cause attention, Alice glared at him, quietly seething. "And why, may I ask, should you care for my safety?"

Continuing to pull her resisting body with him, he responded with an arrogant smirk, "Who said I did?"

"Hmph!" That comment got her attention. Pulling her arm out of his grasp, she barked, "I am quite capable of walking this way myself without an escort, thank you very much!"

She didn't get far and Alice sighed, angry but also a little hurt, as he whirled her around by both arms, towering over her smaller form with a rather unusual expression.

"... I do care," he replied, sincere, his hands strongly but gently restraining her closer to him. "... which is why I want you to leave here, Alice. Out of harm's way. Will you do that?"

Alice, still in his grasp, nodded. "Yes," she whispered, suddenly very aware of their close proximity. He visibly relaxed, his admittance now proven to be truthful... which stunned Alice more than she let on.

His eyes gazed intently into hers for a brief moment before releasing her. Parting quietly he murmured, "Miss Munro."

"Uncas."

Reluctantly turning back, he went off to find his brother... and she, her sister.