Read Online For Love of Country by William C. Hammond - Free Book Online Page A

high in the air as the boy screeched with delight. “A fine specimen,” he announced, setting Jamie down on the ground and gravely offering a serious-looking Will his hand to shake. It was an unguardedly joyful reunion. People passing by on Broad Cove Lane smiled at the Cutlers and at each other, caught up in the family’s happiness.
    â€œYou look a fright, Tom,” William announced with a twinkle in his eye. “A good deal less hair, more girth around the middle, a peg-leg limp, skin that looks more dead than alive—my God, you poor bloke, you look just like me!” They laughed together before William asked, his brow creasing with concern, “How is Elizabeth? You wrote that she isn’t in the best of health.”
    â€œMuch better now. Anne’s wedding gave her a lift. And the warmer weather helps. But what really made the difference was the anticipation of you and Lizzy coming to Hingham. It’s just what the doctor ordered.”
    â€œGlad to be of service,” his brother replied. “I must say, I look forward to getting to know her. You two were newlyweds when you sailed for America.”
    They watched as Lizzy and Katherine wiped away tears, each giggling at the other caught up in the overflow of powerful emotions. Richard
laughed along with them, delighted to be once again in the company of people he held so dear.
    Only young Will appeared standoffish. Like many boys his age, he regarded shows of personal affection as girlish spectacles to be avoided at all costs. He leaned against a tree with his hands in his pockets, attempting to appear aloof. “Pappy, shouldn’t we be getting home?” he said at length. “Father says we should. It’s about to rain.” As if on cue, there came a louder, closer clap of thunder.
    â€œWe shall hop to it, Your Grace,” his grandfather said, saluting in a Royal Army fashion that always made Will giggle. He turned toward his brother. “Sir William, pray have yon squire draw up the prince’s chariots and we shall be on our way.”
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    A CUTLER FAMILY gathering had to await the arrival of Richard’s sisters and was set for the following week. The few days’ respite suited everyone, the weight of family issues to be discussed notwithstanding, for the older Cutlers had half a lifetime to catch up on, and Lizzy was eager to lavish affection on her best friend’s children. In due course, Stephen and Lavinia Starbuck arrived from Duxbury, though Anne Seymour traveled alone by carriage from Cambridge. Frederick sent his regrets, she announced, but was too busy to take leave of his budding medical practice.
    The next day, the family’s mood turned somber as they gathered in the parlor of the Cutler home on Main Street. The weather had turned surprisingly cool for late May, and a thick mist hid the sun, adding to the solemnity. Everyone took a seat, the matriarch Elizabeth beside the hearth where a fire popped and crackled, the others flanked out in a wide semicircle around William and Thomas Cutler holding court in the center. Upstairs, in what used to be Richard and Caleb’s room and was now occupied by William Cutler, Will and Jamie played war games on the floor under the attentive eye of Edna Stowe, the family housekeeper.
    Thomas Cutler led off. “I suggest we postpone discussion of Caleb’s release for the moment, though of course that is the most important reason we are here today. Richard has something to say on the subject that I think you will find compelling. Let us first review the state of our business. This is not a separate issue, as you will soon come to realize. It is closely linked to our efforts to free Caleb and the rest of Eagle ’s crew.”
He turned to his son. “Richard, you were the last to be on Barbados. Might I ask you to recount for us your observations there?”
    Richard was prepared for that question. The previous afternoon he had