The General's Christmas Read Online Free Page B

the shore. He believed that he could
make it across the river in that rowboat long before the army could
make its march to the ferry crossings. He'd wait until dark and
slip away quietly across the river. The enemy would pay him to know
about the forthcoming attack, as they had on several other
occasions. It made no difference to him which side won as long as
he made money.
     
    Later that afternoon, Corporal Baylor
inquired, "How is Miss Clark doing today?"
    "See for yourself," Widow Harris smiled,
"She's awake."
    Corporal Harris nodded and went up the narrow
stairway to the first bedroom. The ceiling was low and he had to
duck to get through the doorway. A window let in enough light to
see Miss Clark's features, sharply contrasted against a white
pillow. She was sitting up against two pillows with a woolen shawl
over her shoulders.
    "Merry Christmas, Miss Clark. Are you feeling
better today?"
    She smiled and his heart quickened, her brown
eyes captivating him.
    "Yes, I am. Thank you. But we must be quiet.
Elizabeth is still sleeping."
    "Then I'll come closer to
keep my voice low," he said, approaching her hesitantly.
    "Widow Harris tells me that you are getting
ready to leave," Anna said.
    "Yes. We're marching tonight to Trenton. We
hope to surprise the enemy and take the town."
    Anna's eyes widened, "Will you look for my
father?"
    Baylor nodded, "Yes. If he's
there, we'll find him."
    She sighed, shaking her head.
    "I'm afraid that something terrible may have
happened to him."
    Baylor didn't know how to answer that. It was
true that the enemy took prisoners but often found it more
convenient to kill them than to feed and house them.
    "I'm sure that if they intended to kill your
father, they wouldn't have taken him with them," he assured
her.
    She gave a small smile, "I certainly hope
you're right. I won't rest until he's found. If you do find him,
will you bring him back here?"
    Baylor nodded, "Yes, if at all possible. You
have my word."
    She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh of
relief.
    "Thank you!"
    He nodded and turned to leave.
    "Wait!" she said, sitting up, "Must you
go?"
    Encouraged by her interest, he smiled.
    "Soon, but not yet."
    "Please, stay a moment. It's been so quiet up
here, and I don't know when I'll see you again. Will you be coming
back tomorrow?"
    "That hasn't been decided yet."
    She nodded and looked into his brown eyes. He
was a little older than she, and impressive in his dark blue and
buff uniform. Something about his eyes drew her in. They seemed
kind and gentle.
    "How long have you been in the army?" she
asked.
    "About a year and a half," he replied, "Ever
since the battles at Concord and Lexington."
    Her eyes widened, "That's a long time. Have
you fought on the battle field?"
    "Yes, of course. From Boston we marched to
New York, and then here to New Jersey. We fought many battles along
the way."
    "It must be very frightening," Anna
shuddered, and said, "After what we went through at the farm, I
can't imagine fighting men like that."
    His face darkened, "They had no right to
treat you that way. They should have left you alone."
    She sighed, "I wish they'd
never come. But others have been attacked, too. Most of the
families have moved out of Bordentown and Trenton. They abandoned
their homes and fled. My father wouldn't do that. We had nowhere
else to go, and he wanted to stay and protect our farm."
    "It was a noble thought, but perhaps not
practical in this war," Baylor answered.
    She looked into his eyes and said with
sincerity, "I pray that you'll be safe tonight. I will pray
constantly until your return with Papa."
    Baylor smiled at the thought, "Thank you,
Miss Clark."
    "Please, call me Anna."
    He smiled again, "Anna…I like the name."
    "What's your name, Corporal?"
    "George Baylor. And please, call me
George."
    She smiled openly and nodded, "I will,
George. God speed you on your march."
    He smiled and nodded his
leave. Anna Clark had lifted his spirits and given him a reason to
fight. He vowed