Chapter One – The Departing

Chadwick and Diana sat side by side in the carriage his father had given him not long before. Grey—Chadwick’s gray horse (Chadwick was very imaginative)—slowly trotted down the dirt path.

“What are your plans, brother?” Diana asked, breaking the silence that had existed between them ever since they left home. “Certainly, you do not plan to leave without first planning where you are going and what you are doing.”

“I take it that means you have a plan?”

“Why, of course! I have two, to be precise. My first plan is to find a wealthy businessman in a big city. If I cannot find one, I will marry a wealthy plantation farmer.”

Chadwick looked at his sister skeptically. “Your priorities are—off. Money is not everything, you know.”

“It was all in jest, brother. I wish to go to New York and work for the paper.”

“Is that it? That is your plan?”

“Yes. Though I would prefer to write articles, I would be happy in whatever position my employer puts me in,” Diana said, adjusting her hat. “What are your plans?”

Chadwick thought for a moment. “You will think it ridiculous.”

“We are twins. I already know that your plans, whatever they may be, are ridiculous. I have only lived with you my whole life!”

“Well, sister-dear, I wish to become an explorer. I wish to explore new lands. I wish to discover new peoples, never remaining in the same place. One day, you will be publishing articles about me, Diana, and how I founded Kincadia,” he announced, making a gesture with his hands when he said ‘Kincadia.’ “I will be known for expanding the United States beyond its current borders.”

“You have some big dreams, brother. How do you plan on becoming an explorer?”

“I was speaking with a traveling merchant many months ago, and he told me about a group of explorers that he knew about,” Chadwick explained. “I asked him if it was possible for a man like me to join them, and he told me that all I had to do was find them.”

“Where are they?” Diana asked, her curiosity growing.

“Philadelphia. They have headquarters in Pittsburgh. And the merchant sold me this,” Chadwick finished excitedly. He pulled a letter out of his inner-jacket pocket. On it was an address, neatly written in cursive.

“May I join you?”

“I suppose. Though I was hoping I would never have to see you again after I dropped you off in New York.”

“You don’t mean that!” Diana exclaimed furiously.

Chadwick chuckled. “Of course not, Diana.”

The weeks passed quickly. Chadwick and Diana took their time to get to Pittsburgh, stopping at big cities along the way and writing letters to their parents. In New York, Diana made her final decision to join Chadwick on his journey to meet the explorers, and, if possible, join them.

It was February when the duo arrived in Pittsburgh at last. Locating the building was not as easy a task as Chadwick had imagined. The streets were busy with those attempting to move further west. They rented a room at an inn, tied their horse up, and slept without rest the night of their arrival.

When they awoke the next morning, they began asking strangers for directions to their final destination, but no one seemed to know the location of the street they sought.

Chadwick began to wonder if he had been given a fake address. After what seemed like an eternity, they found someone who could give them directions. Relieved that their endless search was over, Diana and Chadwick retrieved their horse and carriage.

When they arrived, they checked the address on the front porch.

“This is the place,” Chadwick said. Both he and Diana stepped down from the carriage, walked up the steps to the porch, and knocked on the door.

After a few moments had passed, the door opened. A stocky, bearded man appeared, taking into view of Chadwick and Diana. He eyed them somewhat questionably before he asked, “How may I help you two on this fine afternoon?”

“A traveling merchant informed me about you and your team of explorers. He told me that all I had to do was find you. I am Chadwick Kincade, and this is my sister Diana.”

“Well, you have come to the right place—was it Chadwick? Yes? Good. Follow me inside.”

As soon as Chadwick stepped inside, the smell of smoke filled his nose. The rumbling of soup boiling over the fire and its savory aroma quickly followed. “My wife and sister have perfected their chicken soup recipe. Oh! Where are my manners? The name is William Brown. This is my wife,” he said, holding his hand out to a young woman with brown hair neatly tied on the top of her head, “Laura. And this woman over here,” he continued, pointing at a young woman in a bonnet with eyes as blue as the ocean, “is my sister Anna. Come, sit. We can talk about expeditions over dinner.”

Chadwick and Diana followed William into his ornate dining room and sat down to eat.

“William, you do not disappoint. This soup is magnificent! Thank you, ladies,”

Chadwick said after a lull in conversation.

“I am glad to hear it,” William said with a jolly chuckle.

“So, about the expeditions,” Chadwick began.

“Ah, yes. If you join the United States Army, like I have, there is an opportunity to go on an expedition of some sort. If you are lucky, you could be chosen to explore a new territorial purchase.”

“Would my sister be able to come with us?”

“No, unfortunately. But, if you seek lodging, I have room here for you and your sister. And she can stay if you decide to join. I am on leave. I know, odd time right now. You can join me on my journey back if you would like.”

“May I speak with my sister before making any decisions?”

“Of course. But don’t be long. I may have to finish your soup if you don’t.”

Chadwick and Diana left the table and entered the living room. The fire where the soup had been cooked still heated the room. “I know that I told you—”

“This is your dream. If you wish to go with him, I will not stop you, nor will I be angry with you. I will find work here, and I am sure I will learn a lot from these two wonderful women.”

“Thank you, Diana. You will not regret this. When I go West, I will bring you a gift.”

Diana and Chadwick returned to the table. Conversation lasted late into the night.

When the day came on which Chadwick was to leave with William Brown to enlist, several tears fell from both his and Diana’s eyes. They realized this would be the first time in their lives they would be separated from one another, and though Diana had nothing but the best thoughts for Chadwick, she couldn’t help but feel an emotional loss somehow. But she also knew she would see him again. When, though, would be the question she couldn’t answer.

July 24, 1801

Dearest Mother and Father,

I have joined the U.S. Army! It took some time to get to this point due to some unexpected delays, but William Brown and I have made it, and I am now well on my way. You should see me in my white coat! I can just imagine myself as a lad putting on this jacket for the first time while Mother fusses over me. When she finally finishes, she looks back and tells me how handsome I am—I miss you both dearly! Have you heard from Roselyn and Flower? In your last letter, you informed me that they had left home. I am amazed at how quickly I received it! How is Diana? I must start writing to her as well. Nothing much of significance has happened since I arrived, though my bunkmate snores like a grizzly.

Best of wishes,

Chadwick

*****

With tears in her eyes, Hope looked at Randolph and said, “I cannot believe that he has joined the Army!”

“You know how he is, darling. He seeks adventure wherever he goes! As long as he stays out of trouble, he will be fine.”

“Have you any news about Flower and Roselyn?” Hope asked.

“No. I expect letters from them to begin arriving soon. It is August after all… They have been gone since June!”

*****

Roselyn sprinted through the woods, her skirt having been ripped to shreds, while Flower followed as closely as possible. Roselyn noticed a new cut across her sister’s cheek.

“They are getting closer, Rosie. I don’t think we will be able to outrun them. They hit me with an arrow!”

“Just keep going! We have to be close now!”

“Are you certain it was a town you had seen?”

“If it wasn’t, we are in for no worse of a fate than we are in for now,” Roselyn replied.

Flower looked forward in determination and picked up speed. “I see it! That is a town if ever I saw one!” she exclaimed happily, pointing at two buildings as they grew nearer.

Another arrow shot through the air and embedded itself in Flower’s calf. “Rosie!” she called as tears began to pour down her face.

Rosie ran back to her sister and helped her to her feet. “Hop along with me! We must make it!” Rosie said, running on with Flower resting on her shoulder.

“HELP! HELP! HELP!” they exclaimed together.

They rapidly approached the end of the woods. “We are going to make it! We are going to make it! We are going to….”

An Indian jumped out in front of the sisters, arrow notched and aimed at them.

“HALT!” a different man yelled, holding a rifle aimed at the Indian.

The Indian lowered his bow, scowled at the white man, and darted back into the woods.

A wave of relief swept over the two girls. They collapsed, falling to sleep in each other’s arms.

Rosie woke up and looked around.

“Good morning, sunshine. I’m afraid I didn’t get your name.”

“I am Roselyn Kincade. Where is my sister?”

“She is recovering—somewhat. What were you girls doing out there in the woods? Why were you being chased?”

“We left our homes, hoping to go south, but on the way we were captured by savages! They took us to their camp and danced around us. It was horrifying! We noticed other white captives, and they told us that we were going to be sacrificed. Two nights ago, I managed to escape. I saw the lights of this town, and I immediately came back to bring my sister. We waited for our next opportunity to run, and ran as fast as we could.

Unfortunately, another prisoner decided to tell an Indian our plans, and we were chased.”

“You are lucky you survived!” the man said.

“What’s the date?”

“August 21st, if I am not mistaken.”

“Where is Flower, my sister?”

“Her injury was very severe. She is currently getting her leg amputated.”

“Oh my!”

“You need some rest. Your sister will be fine. Do you have any questions for me before I leave?”

“Who are you?”

“I am Alexander Hamilton,” the man said, sitting straight. “To answer your next question, I am from New York.”

Written By: CalebPinnow