Hometown Hero [A Carving the Way book]

I, James Grant

I, James Grant, write this August 11, 1767. Chaos has gripped the colonies. Yet again, the king has raised taxes on item after item—tea being one of them. The Loyalists are strangely quiet. They do not tell back at us and scream for us to be silent.

I think they, too, think the heavy taxing unfair, but to say such would be blasphemy to them.

I do not understand how the Loyalists can support a king such as George III.

But I don't have to understand. All I need to know is that my family is Loyalist and that we stand with the king, whatever may happen.

That is what Father says.

But I am not Loyalist. I am a Patriot.

In my family, that makes me a traitor. I am a sheep in a wolf's clothing, surrounded by wolves.

If I am not careful, I will be caught. Everything will be for nothing if I am. I must be careful. There is no other option.

This is why I write under a pseudonym, why I do not show interest when Patriots come around, knocking on doors and shouting their opinions through the streets, even though I long to join them, to add my voice to the cacophony, to stand up for everything I believe that my parents do not.

I walk a dangerous path. But for all its dangers, it is worth it.