The Haunted Traveler Vol 1 Issue 2

edroll. It shimmered in the afternoon light.
The soldiers spread out, circling the house and
checking the property; Thomas and a couple others
entered through the front door. All of them seemed
ready for a conflict. She knew that he hadn’t believed
her. Sarah feared the death of the Hessians would be
reported causing the British to detain them. Passage
for the ship back to England had been paid. Any delay
and she would miss the ship’s departure and lose the
cost of their fare.
As two soldiers meandered around the house,
poking through potential hiding places, Sarah felt a
tinge of panic as they approached the woodpile. She
saw them stop and examine the wood. Something had
caught their attention. Perhaps they discovered a boot
sticking out of the split logs.
But they lingered only a moment. Neither one
took the time to remove any logs, seeming content
that the Hessians wouldn’t spring from the woodpile
to start a skirmish. They did seem more alert, heading
around the back of the house with the butts of their
long rifles shouldered. Sarah felt relieved and was
hopeful that the Hessians would remain safely stashed
away.
Then she heard the crack of musket fire.
Smoke billowed from behind the house. More rifle
fire and then she heard the cry of agony, followed by a
heavy thud.
Sarah realized that there must be more Hessians
in the area.
Thomas rushed out of the house with the Cutlass
in his hand and Jeb a step behind him. Other
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