Red's Brave Act     

     Elizabeth is finally back from New York, so father told me to invite her to go on a picnic with me and Mira, my younger sister. So today, we three girls went to the meadow next to the Mayos’ (Thomas and Levi’s family) woodlot. Because of my appropriate clothing (Elizabeth was wearing a light mauve satin gown with lace trimmings. Why in the world would she wear that to a picnic?) I had the responsibility of carrying the picnic basket.

     As we walked, Thomas Mayo joined us, and he made me so embarrassed when he brought up that I was looking for Red. Naturally, Elizabeth got interested, and wondered if Red was my beau! I knew that Thomas had wanted to get me embarrassed because he seemed to be enjoying himself as he watched me scramble to change the topic. So, I just invited him to our picnic to get everyone’s mind off of Red. After playing around a bit with Mira, we lost our picnic basket, and got into an argument with Thomas, since he said we were stupid girls. That was so mean of him, so I was glad he left after that.

     But as we searched for the basket, I thought that maybe Red had taken the basket, as he would have been on the run on and hungry. So, I was especially pleased when Elizabeth left for home to avoid looking for the basket, since Red would never come out with Elizabeth around. But after she left, two shaggy men came out behind some trees with my food basket and muskets, with Red running up behind them. He explained that the two men were his friends and that they had not eaten in days. Although I only wanted to feed Red, and not two strange men, I allowed them to dig into Bett’s food basket, since they seemed pretty hungry and were friends of Red. Finally, he made me promise not to reveal their identities to anyone, and so I promised him, and allowed him to stay overnight at my barn.

     Now here’s the most adventurous part of the tale. When I asked Mira to retrieve Red’s blue handkerchief, she took it, and refused to give it unless I caught her. So I sprinted after her to the riverbank, only to find that she had lost her footing and rolled into the river. I was also very surprised when Red jumped into the water to save Mira, and after a long struggle in the water, he finally pulled her up to shore. But at that moment, father had come outside to see what had happened. Luckily, he was too busy carrying Mira to the house and seeing if she was alright to scold or interrogate anyone.

     Once we got to the house, father didn't seem too angry at me, and gave Red dry clothes. Then, he asked Red where he lived, and there was a moment of suspense as I remember that Red was in Shay’s rebellion, and did not want his identity to be known. Luckily, Red quickly saved himself by saying he lived with his uncle who had died in war, and was looking for a job. So father said that he would allow Red to help Sam and Bett with work for now.

     I think that although much has happened today, it didn't turn out that badly. I had managed to get rid of Elizabeth without even trying, and I have found Red again. So I guess today isn't half bad at all.