Catch the Wind: My Journey with Caroline

I clench my jaw and say nothing about my nerves while Caroline hoists the sail. I’m grateful we’re staying close to shore instead of crossing open water. Nothing but a solid wall of forest passes by, no towns, nothing, and it’s thick enough that I keep half-expecting to spot Native American people among the trees, though I never do.

Caroline points out a cluster of small, wooded islands up ahead. Seth explains that the British fort on Pine Island sits close enough to American land for Captain Miller to see it from his own cabin window. And that’s exactly why Miller wants it taken. Seth adds that Miller fought in the Revolution and knows exactly what he’s doing. Seth is certain the raid will succeed.

Caroline drops the sail while Seth takes the oars, steering us toward a clearing where three log buildings stand near a small crowd gathered on the beach. A short, gray-bearded man calls out to Seth by name, asking if he’s come to join them. Seth answers proudly that word of the raid reached him in Sackets Harbor, so he hurried straight here. I’m stunned to realize this is Captain Miller himself. I’m actually standing in front of someone who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Before I can stop myself, I blurt out that the captain, two farmers, and two boys hardly look like enough people to storm an entire fort. I ask where the real soldiers are. Miller turns to look at me and answers that one Patriot is worth six Redcoats, a fact proven thirty years ago. And he thinks there’s only about six British soldiers on Pine Island. He’s glad Seth thought to bring a skiff, too, since his own boat can’t carry every man across in one trip.

Seth says that the skiff is actually Caroline’s and that he promised we could go home after dropping him off here. Miller declares he needs it for the raid instead, which means Caroline and I are walking back. Caroline offers for us to go along and watch the boats while the men storm the fort, but Miller waves us both off, and turns to give Seth and the rest their instructions.

I nod along without hesitation, but Caroline mutters that Miller only lets children our age join because they’re boys. Mom already proved women belong in the navy, and I’ve believed for a long time that girls can match boys at anything.

Caroline wants to argue with Captain Miller more to try to allow us to come, but I’m not sure it’s worth the risk. Although, learning the island only has about half a dozen soldiers makes the raid sound less terrifying than I first assumed.