The horse shot across the flats like a ball from a cannon. The miles were devoured beneath her thundering hooves. Her ride leaned so low across her neck, that it appeared she carried no rider. The horse thrust out her neck going faster, faster. Soon, Boston was a speck in the distance.
The look-outs saw the horse long before they realized she had a rider. After seeing the tell-tale cloak, the lieutenant sent a man ahead to inform the general he had a visitor.
The horse slowed only when she reached the outskirts of the camp. She trotted up to the Vassall house and stopped, tossing her head in pleasure. Her rider slid off and patted her neck.
“Was that a good run, girl?”
She snorted, her breath pluming in the cold.
A youth strode up. “Can I take your horse for you?”
He had bright red hair, and bright green eyes. He looked to be around Ben’s age. He was tall and thin, but he looked as if he could hold his own in a fight. All in all, Robyn thought he looked handsome.
She paused, considering.
“It looks like she could do with some water.”
Robyn nodded, agreeing. “Aye, but the question is whether or not she’ll let you take her.”
Midnight shook her mane as if to say, “I absolutely will not.”
“I might be able to find some oats.”
The mare’s ears shot up at the mention of her favorite treat. She turned her head to give him a critical look.
The Shadow Fox patted Midnight’s nose. “What do you think girl? Will you let him care for you?”
To the boy’s surprise, the horse nodded.
Chuckling at his surprise, Robyn slid the lead rope from Midnight and tucked it in her belt. “Just lead on. She’ll follow you.”
Eyebrows raised, he turned and strode off. Midnight nickered and followed, looking forward to those oats.
Smiling, Robyn climbed the steps to the house and disappeared inside. A sergeant lead her to General Washington’s study and showed her in.
Washington lay down the map he was examining and smiled. “Welcome! What brings you here, my young friend?”
Robyn saluted. “Good to see you, General. To be perfectly honest, I promised my horse a good run. I, uh, sort of bribed her with it, actually.”
He laughed. “Oh, you are a bit of sunlight in this dark winter.”
Smiling, she bowed. “However, I’m not just here to waste your time. I know for a fact you have a spy in your midst.”
The general sighed, the laugh gone from his face. “Unfortunately, my young friend, I know that full well. He’s devilishly clever, though, and I haven’t a clue who he is. If you could shed any light on the situation, please do.”
Robyn nodded. “I hope to do a bit more than that.”
He smiled at her. “If you could catch our spy, I would be most indebted to you.” He chuckled. “As if I’m not already.”
The Shadow Fox smiled. “No debt, sir. I am only doing what I can for my country. Now, as to our little mole, I think I can do something about him. While figuring out who he is will take far too long, I think I can still stop, or at least greatly decrease his effectiveness. I might even be able to make him show himself.”
The general’s eyebrows lifted. “I have always admired your cleverness and resourcefulness, but if you can pull off a feat such as this, I will be most impressed and, I must say, quite surprised.”
Robyn smiled. “Actually, it’s not all that clever. I think anyone who had enough time to sit around and think on such matters—though, I guess I don’t really just sit around—could come up with the same plan. It’s simple. Your spy is getting the information to General Howe in some manner. If I could find this manner, and somehow either cut it off or intercept the messages, I could prohibit General Howe from getting his information.”
Washington leaned forward on his desk. “And how do you plan on accomplishing this?”
“As you know, I live in Boston. In fact, several prominent British men have invaded my house.”
Washington’s eyebrows rose even further. “And you still can run around as the Shadow Fox. Isn’t that dangerous?”
Robyn smiled. “Sir, my entire exploit is dangerous. However, living in the same house with these men has one major advantage. I know all their doings and hear all they say. Actually, they will talk of their deeds right in front of me. In addition to this, I have a small group of youths listening and watching. Between all of us, we should get some sort of lead.”
“Under normal circumstances, I would not ask children to put themselves in danger—“
“With all due respect sir, we are not children, nor do you have to ask us to act. We do this of our own accord to serve our country. Besides, it is not likely that the British army will take much notice of us. They do not regard us as a threat due to our youth. Plus, half of my cohort is female. No one thinks a girl can do anything.”
Washington smiled. “Being married has taught me a thing or two of the brilliance of women. I wonder that these officers do not understand that.”
Robyn grinned. “Perhaps the women of the Americas are made of a different substance.”
He laughed. “Indeed, that may be true.” Washington sobered quickly as a thought occurred to him. “There’s one problem with your plan. We’re not planning anything that’s worthy of reporting to General Howe.”
The Shadow Fox’s grin widened. “Ah, yes. That was something that had me puzzled. My friend Benjamin Rivers came up with a solution. We are going to make something up. I want you to let slip that you are planning an attack on Boston.”
Somehow, he managed to frown while raising his eyebrows. “That’s outrageous.”
Robyn shook her head. “Not entirely. Everyone in Boston thinks you are going to try.”
“Truly?”
“Aye.
“So, when I let this one slip, you’ll be watching for it to pop up amongst the British?”
“Aye.”
Robyn watched as his brow furrowed in thought. Finally, he came to a decision. “It can do no harm, and it just might work.”
The Shadow Fox nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
He sighed. “Well then, I hope for my army’s sake that you and your cohort succeed. I wish you the best of luck. Please, keep me informed, if you can.”
The Shadow Fox bowed. “Of course, sir.
As Robyn strode out of the Vassall home, the youth returned with Midnight. She smiled at him. “Thank you. I do believe you’re new, I haven’t seen you around.”
He smiled. “Actually, I’m not that new. I’ve been here nigh on three months.”
The Shadow Fox removed the lead rope from her belt and slid it up Midnight’s nose. “Hmm. Well, I guess I’m losing my observation abilities. What is your name?”
“Jack Richards.” He grinned slyly. “What is yours?”
Robyn returned the sly smile. “Oh, I have many names. However, I mostly am referred to as ‘that confounded boy.’”
He chuckled. “Well, then, what do your friends call you?”
“Usually I call them.”
“You’re determined not to tell me your name, are you not?”
“Oh, aye. The British army would give all the tea in England to know that.”
“You’re a bit pompous there, aren’t you?”
Robyn bristled. “No, I am not.”
He quickly held up his hands in a sign of peace. “I was only teasing you.”
Ignoring him for the time being, she trotted back a few paces so she was behind Midnight. Emitting a small whistle, Robyn ran towards her mare, placed her hands on the horse’s rump, and vaulted onto her back. If she were in her usual feminine apparel, she would have tossed her head in a self satisfied manner. However, she was not, so Robyn settled with looking dignified on her horse.
Jack laughed. “Alright, so you may not be pompous, but you have a lot of pride for such a small child.”
Robyn ground her teeth. Currently, no clever reply was coming. The best she could come up with was, “Good Day, Mr. Richards.”
He caught Midnight’s lead rope. “Oh, don’t leave in a tizzy, little one. You need someone to pull you off your high horse.” Jack snickered at his own joke.
Robyn, however, did not find it amusing. “If you would be so kind to let go—“
“Oh, come off it. You’re just used to people watching you in awe.”
She snorted. “You obviously have not been in Boston.”
“Well, to poor water on the flame of your self-importance, I’ll let you know that I am not impressed.”
“Nor am I by you. Now release my horse.”
“Don’t be such a girl, little one.”
Robyn stiffened. That was the last straw. She nudged Midnight with a toe. The horse leapt forward, pulling Jack Richards to the ground.
Laughing, he regained his feet. He waved at the retreating figures and called, “Hope to meet you again!”
“I hope you got a good mouthful of dirt,” Robyn growled under her breath.
-----
How can a person be so irritating and endearing at the same time? I have no idea, but Jack sure is good at it. Curse him.
Well, not much to say about this one. Jack is annoying. I like him. Let's hope Robyn's plan works. Hm... yup, that pretty much sums it up.
Have a great week!
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