Patriots: Boston

Chapter Four The Homes of the Sons

It was now 3 o'clock. I needed to get going to deliver those messages to the Sons of Liberty. I made sure the letters were all still safe in my petticoats. I ran back into the store.
"You haven't left yet?" My father asked, distressed.
"No, I had a lesson. I'm leaving now. Do you have a list of names and addresses?" I asked.
"Here," he said as he handed me a piece of paper. "Now, be off! They need these letters very soon!"
I tied on my hood and shawl and boots and ran out to the stable. I took my father's horse, Agnes, who someone had already saddled up for me, and led her out into the street. I swung my foot into the stirrup and positioned myself in the saddle. I was sitting astride it, which wasn't ladylike, but much safer and more practical than side saddle. I had to move quickly. I gave Agnes a little kick and we were off down the street. First I had to deliver Mr. William Dawes' letter. I stopped Agnes and quickly hopped off. I ran up to the door and reached down to retrieve his letter. Then I knocked and waited for a few seconds. Finally he opened the door.
"I've a letter for you, sir," I said holding out the letter.
"What sort of letter?" He asked, looking at me as if I might be trying to give him something that wasn't what he was looking for.
"Confidential business, sir," I said.
He looked like he knew what I was talking about now. He took the letter.
"Thank you, little miss," he said.
I curtsied like I should and he closed the door. I ran back to Agnes and hopped back up. I checked my list. I had to ride to the house of Benjamin Edes. He was a the publisher of my favorite paper, the Boston Gazette. His house was not far. I spurred on Agnes and I rode quickly to his shop. I dismounted, took the letter from my skirt, and walked into the shop. I approached the apprentice working at the counter.
   "Pardon me," I said shyly, "Is Mr. Edes in today?"
   The apprentice looked scared. "Are you from the redcoats?" He asked.
   "No," I said. "And I'm afraid that's all I am able to tell you aside from the fact that I mean him no harm and need to see him."
   "Mr. Edes!" The apprentice shouted. "There's a girl here for you!"
  Mr. Edes walked out of the back closet and up to me.
  "Byers' girl?" He asked.
   I nodded. "I have a letter for you."
  "The Sons?" He asked.
  "Yes," I whispered.
   He took the letter from me and opened it.
   "Maybe not right here, sir," I said, motioning to some redcoats right outside the window.
   "Good idea. Thank you," he said to me as he walked back into the closet.
  "You're with the Sons?" The apprentice asked.
  "Yes," I said quietly.
  "That's nice. I wish I could help. I want to go and fight, but I'm only 16 and my time isn't up for a while," he said sadly.
  "Don't feel bad," I said. "There are other ways to help. In fact, you're helping right now by working at a place like this that gets the message out."
  He smiled. "It's nice you think that, but I know the real change is going to happen on the battle field. These papers are not going to fight the British."
  "They can rally people to fight," I said. "Words can be very powerful."
  "You're not like the other girls who come in here. What's your name?" He asked.
  "I'm Liza, Liza Byers. You?"
  "I'm Eli Clark. Is your father's store Byers General?" He asked.
"Yep, that's the one. It's really nice to meet you, Eli. I should get going. Good bye!" I called, turning to leave.
"You should stop by some time," Eli said.
"I'll try," I said.
Then I ran back to Agnes and mounted her again. We rode to the next house, James Otis. He is a lawyer.
I did my routine and ran to the door. I knocked on the door and waited. An older woman opened it. This was the right house, right?
"Might I help you, Miss?" She asked.
"May I see Mr. Otis?" I asked. "I have a letter for him."
"I could give it to him for you, darling," she offered kindly.
As trustworthy as she seemed, I needed to make sure Mr. Otis and only Mr. Otis read the letter. You can't tell someone's party by their appearance, unless of course they are wearing a British army uniform.
"I need to deliver this directly to Mr. Otis himself. It's important," I said seriously, but politely.
"Sons business?" She asked.
"Why would you ask that?" I asked trying to hide my suspicion.
"I'm a Daughter of Liberty, darling, and I know James personally and I know he's a Son. I'm no nosy lady spying for the British," she laughed.
I felt stupid now, but I was just obeying protocol.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," I said sheepishly. "Just, you know..."
"Protocol. Good girl!" She said warmly.
"I guess I can trust you with his letter?" I asked.
"Of course," she said.
I handed her the letter and after she closed the door I ran back to Agnes and was off again, this time to the house of James Swan. He thankfully answered the door without hassle and I left smoothly. Then I was off to John Hancock's house. This intimidated me a little bit. He is a very wealthy man with a big house. It might look strange for a young girl in a shabby dress and shawl riding around town all by herself to show up at his home, but I had to go whether I liked it or not. I took the letter and began to walk in a stately manner towards the door. However, I'm very clumsy. After a few steps, a stray cat ran in front of me and I tripped and fell in the snow. I fell on my face, and I feared the letters hand fallen out of my dress. There was a soldier behind me. He ran to my side.
  "Miss! Are you alright? Allow me to help you up!" He insisted, grabbing me.
  At least one was attempting to be a gentleman, but of course I didn't want his help!
  "No thank you, sir. I can get up myself," I said tersely.
  He of course didn't listen and yanked my arm, pulling me to my feet. He bent down to pick something up from the ground.
  "I believe you dropped this, Miss," he said from behind me.
  Oh no!
  I turned around slowly to see that me was just holding it out. Had he read who it was addressed to? Did he think something of the sealing wax? Did he know this was a Son's letter? No!!!
  "Thank you, sir!" I said snatching my letter. It was John Hancock's!
  The soldier then walked away and I sprinted to the front door of the Hancock house. I banged on the door.
I was so grateful to see him opening the door himself!
  "Mr. Hancock! Letter! Here!" I breathed excitedly.
  "Ok?" He said, confused.
   He took the letter.
  "Thank you. Good bye!" He said as he closed the door.
  I ran back to Agnes and we raced to the homes of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and finally Doctor Joseph Warren. Mr. Revere and Mr. Adams were no trouble to deliver letter to, even though they were such important men. Doctor Warren also opened his door.
  "Liza dear! How long have you been riding? Come inside for something to drink!" He said, inviting me in. He was always so kind.
  I tied Agnes to a post and went inside. It was so warm and comfortable, especially after I had been riding for at least two hours and had been dumped in the snow.
  "Let's see, we don't have any tea and I'm clean out of coffee. How about a hot cup of milk and some bread and butter?" He asked kindly.
  "The hot milk sounds good, but I'll have to pass on the bread and butter. I don't want to spoil my supper," I said politely.
  "Ok. How've you been, Liza?" He asked, getting my milk. "Take a seat at the table."
  "Thank you," I said. "I myself have been pretty good, I've just had a few experiences lately. You?"
  "Tell me about these experiences," he said suspiciously.
  "Isaac and I mouthed off to a few soldiers this morning," I confessed. "Then when we got back a soldier interrogated my father about being a Son of Liberty. My father just denied, denied, and never gave anything away. No one was hurt, but the soldier threatened us with a gun in front of Dolly and Constance. Now, after an awful etiquette lesson, I'm out delivering these letters to the Sons. Here's yours, Doctor Warren," I said handing him his letter.
  "My goodness! You need to be careful! The British are not showing much mercy to anyone, and war seems inevitable now. I'm very proud of you for delivering these letters, but you have a family to help protect. You can still help with the fight for Liberty, but toying with soldiers in the streets and finding yourself at the wrong end of a gun is not the way to do it." He said.
  "Doctor Warren," I began. "Do you think I could become a doctor like you? If there's going to be a true war, won't we need more people to care for the wounded?"
  "Liza, you have such a mind! You are a very smart girl, and I'm sure you can do anything you set your mind to, within reason of course. You also have a big and brave heart, the other thing needed to be a doctor. I'm just not sure I have time to really teach you or anyone everything you would need to know. I can teach you a few basic things that you should know to care for a mild injury. You know there aren't many women who are doctors..."
  "I know, but if fighting is discouraged for us, we should be able to help the soldiers." I said.
  "I don't doubt you can do it. All I can say to you now is that you do what you should and that you might need to get going home so that your father doesn't worry too much. Have a safe trip and tell your family I said hello," he said, handing me my shawl.
  "Thank you Doctor Warren. You take care of yourself too. Goodbye!" I said.
  I ran out the door and mounted Agnes. We headed for home in that low light before darkness. We had to move quickly in order to get home in time for supper.