Gunpowder and Tea Cakes: My Journey with Felicity

I’m spending so much time in Williamsburg to learn as much as I can, right? So I tell Mrs. Merriman that I would like to see King’s Creek. Mrs. Merriman nods. Then we must make haste. Soon, we’re all scurrying about. Felicity and I pack her clothes and we both help pack Nan and William’s things. Rose, the cook and maidservant, will stay behind and take care of Mr. Merriman and Ben while we’re away. By the time we leave, I am worn out from going up and down the stairs so many times.

Outside, we see a green carriage with black trim and bright yellow wheels. Two glossy brown horses are hitched to the carriage. Marcus sits on a high seat in front, holding the reins. I feel like Cinderella when I climb inside. This’ll be a wonderful way to travel!

But as soon as we start off, I realize that traveling by carriage isn’t totally wonderful. The ruts in the dirt road make the carriage ride bumpy. The wheels kick up clouds of dust that drift in the open windows. Nevertheless, Nan and William drift off to sleep almost immediately. I don’t think I could possibly nap with all the movement. But soon, Felicity announces we’re here.

An elderly man helps each of us out of the carriage. It’s Felicity’s grandfather! Mrs. Merriman explains the trouble in Williamsburg to him, and says if things quiet down, perhaps we’ll return to the city. Felicity’s grandfather looks angry. He exclaims that the Patriots look like fools, threatening the royal governor. There’s no way the disorganized militia could defeat the British army!

Oh no. Felicity’s grandfather is a Loyalist.