Billy Green Saves the Day Read Online Free Page A

enemy?” Chandler asked.
    â€œFifty-two killed, forty-four wounded, and two hundred and sixty-two captured,” the officer said, folding the paper.
    â€œAll of them ... on both sides were brave boys,”
    Chandler said, raising his glass and drinking, much to the chagrin of Winder.
    â€œBring one of the prisoners in here!” Winder commanded, pulling on his boots. The officer disappeared for a moment as Winder buttoned his uniform jacket.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Chandler asked nervously.
    â€œI can end this war even faster,” Winder said as a scared young British soldier was hauled into the room. “Sit down,” Winder ordered, motioning to a chair. The trembling teen took a seat, and Chandler offered him the bottle, but Winder swiped it away, smashing it to the floor. “How many forces do you have at Burlington Heights?” Winder demanded.
    â€œI ... I don’t know, sir.”
    In an instant Winder withdrew his sword and held it to the boy’s throat.
    Chandler looked on, thoroughly alarmed.
    â€œI don’t ... I don’t know,” the lad said, fighting back tears.
    â€œLiar! I swear to God I’ll run you through!” Winder said, pushing the sword harder and causing the skin to break as a tiny line of blood trickled. Beneath the soldier’s chair a growing pool of urine began to puddle.
    â€œPerhaps the prisoner can recollect if he has food in his stomach and his body has slept,” Chandler said, gently pulling the sword away. He smiled warmly at the young man before gesturing to the American officer to lead him away.
    Once they were gone, Winder slammed the door and wheeled toward Chandler. “You should have filled him with buckshot!”
    â€œPrisoners require fair treatment, William! As a lawyer, you should be familiar with that concept!” Chandler yanked the sword away from him. “We’re all tired. I know what the stress of war can do to all of us.”
    Winder collapsed into his chair again, drank loudly from the bottle, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Full of disdain, he eyed Chandler from head to toe. “You don’t belong here.”
    â€œAnd you do?”
    Winder broke into an evil simper. “Look at you. You’re a tavern keeper. Once penniless and illiterate, I might add.” He drained the bottle, burped, and waved the container in Chandler’s face. “Serving up liquor is all you’re good for.”
    â€œNot all of us were born with a silver spoon in our mouth. But if you’d like, I’d be happy to tell our commanding officer about your treatment of the enemy.”
    Winder snickered. “Ah, yes, General Dearborn. If it weren’t for him lending you four hundred dollars to buy your two hundred acres, you’d still be begging in the streets of Maine. You got rich because of that old man. It’s nice to have friends in high places, isn’t it?”
    â€œYou should know,” Chandler said, marching for the door, which opened before he got there.
    Haggard and ill, General Dearborn limped inside. Winder and Chandler immediately stood at attention and saluted. The sixtyish officer coughed and patted his forehead with a cloth. “Gentlemen, I have your orders.” He wheezed and handed Chandler a piece of paper. Dearborn spied the empty liquor bottle and watched as Winder tilted. “General Chandler, you’ll be in charge. I’m too sick to join you.” He coughed hard again. “I suggest you sober up, gentlemen, and get some rest. You’re going to need it.” Slowly, Dearborn turned for the door as Winder and Chandler saluted.
    After Dearborn was gone, Winder chuckled and slapped Chandler on the back. “High places, eh?”
    The modest Green homestead basked in the glow of a full moon, and the sound of crickets filled the night air, along with the frequent call of an owl. Adam Green stepped onto the porch, lit his pipe, and