"And did she?"

"She did indeed. She lifted her apron, wiped her brow and began her exhortation. She called the Redcoats poor tiresome sops who are quite without the wits to find their own mothers. Everyone laughed, naturally. Then she leaned forward and the crowd leaned forward as well. It was then she declared they would never find Bonnie Prince Charlie for he lay well hidden under her very own bed."

Uriah looked amused, "Poor tiresome sops is right. Everyone knows the Prince has been in France these fourteen years."

"They know but with thirty thousand pounds on his head, they dare not take the chance. Even I was tempted to give chase."

Uriah turned his horse up the lane. "Have you any other news?"

Caleb pondered the question, "Well, I have made the acquaintance of the baker. His wife's ankles are far more swollen than they should be, and she needs the assistance of two men to board a wagon. While the Baker bakes, his dog repeatedly attempts to enter the butcher shop. The whole village is aware of it however, and the dog is rarely successful. And today, I nearly was witness to swords."

"Swords?"

"Two men could not agree on the price of a saddle, you see. So both drew their swords, but Mister Findley stopped them."

As they neared the cluster of trees behind the small, thatched-roofed cottage, Uriah grinned mischievously, "And Mister Findley's eldest daughter?"