Captured - The Briartun Archives - April 1755

Henry was pleased with the wheat field. The month of April was mild and there was sufficient rain to keep the ground moist for the seeds to germinate. He was thinking about the summer harvest when he heard the dog barking. As he turned and looked toward the barn, he saw two men. One was attacking Henry’s dog and the other was pointing his musket toward the house. Henry grabbed his musket and fired at them. He started running toward the barn when he heard a loud “crack” and felt something hit him in the side. He slowly sank to the ground, then everything went black. 

Cédric Frisque and Jean Pagel had scouted the farm looking for livestock and possible hostages. As they approached the barn a large dog started barking and lunged toward Jean who hit the dog with the butt of his musket. It required several strikes before the dog stopped moving. Cedric turned toward the field after hearing a musket shot ricochet off the barn door. He saw Henry running toward them, aimed his musket and fired. As he watched the man fall he turned to Jean and told him to head to the cabin. They grabbed Henry’s wife Susanna and his young son Jonas. Hostages were more important than live stock. They headed away from the farm as fast as they could. Cedric knew it wouldn’t take long for some of the local militia to assemble and follow them.

Jamis, and his Mohawk brother Khiatons, heard a musket shot and stopped where they were. It was possible that someone was hunting, but not likely. There was a second shot and then silence. They headed in the direction of the musket fire, moving cautiously through the woods. When they arrived at the Gifford farm, there was no one in site. 

They carefully searched the small cabin but it was empty. A couple of the chairs and the table were tipped over but there was no damage. Jamis figured that some type of altercation had occurred. The barn was the next place to search. Once again there was no one there. Nothing seemed to be damaged. They did find the remains of a large dog. Jamis and Khiatons split up and slowly headed into the wheat field. 

It did not take them long to find Henry. He had been shot in the side, unconscious but still alive. They carried him back to the cabin and cleaned the wound. Fortunately the musket ball had gone through his side, not damaging any vital organs. 

Henry slipped in and out of consciousness, babbling about his wife and son. They were able to gather enough information to figure out that both wife and son had been taken. Leaving Henry alone was not an option. Jamis went to the barn, harnessed the oxen to the wagon and pulled it in front of the cabin. Henry was then placed in the back and wrapped in blankets. Khiatons sat with him while Jamis drove. 

They headed to the village of Minetto and were soon met by a small group of Militia. Miles Clement, the apparent leader of the men, approached Jamis and asked for information on what had occurred at the farm. Jamis explained about hearing the musket fire and then finding Henry in the field. After updating Miles on Henry’s condition both men agreed that he needed medical attention. Miles assigned two of the men to take Henry to Doc Hamond. 

Miles, along with the remaining men, said they would join Jamis and Khiatons and move quickly to intercept the French raiders.

Cédric and Jean are Old Glory figures. I don’t know the manufacturer of the wife and son. I purchased them along with some other figures back when I was involved in the Anglo-Saxon period. Somehow they were put away and I rediscovered them.