The Cogan Legend (13 page)

“I think it was about ten o'clock, and when I passed your room I heard snoring,” Ann said with a straight face, hoping that would be the end of his questions.

“I can't deny that,” Lewey said with a slight grin and no longer irritated.  “Did you have a nice walk?”

“I had a wonderful walk, Lewey.  We walked down to the river and strolled to the park.  When I became too cold, we returned to the hotel, sat in the lobby, and talked until the clock chimed.  I really enjoy being with him.”  

“So,” Lewey said, “you made it home by ten?”

“Uh, well, I might have been a little later than ten,” Ann said, turning red.

“How much later?”

“Lewey, what importance is that?  I was in the lobby by ten o'clock.”

“I guess. I'll just have to make sure we get back to the hotel together on time from now on.”  A smile played on his face as he looked at her.

“Lewey!”  Ann protested.

Lewey shook his head. “You have to be back on time tonight because we have a long trip ahead of us. Do you understand?”

Relieved, Ann nodded.

“What are our plans for today?”  Lewey asked as if contemplating what his day would be like.

“Today, Phillip wants to give us a tour of the fort,” Ann said, straightening the cloth napkin on her lap.  

Lewey dislodged his hat from his lap then bent and picked it off the floor.  “That sounds interesting.”

Eager to change the subject and tell Lewey the news of Phillip's leave Ann added, “After today, Phillip will be on leave, and he's going to escort us back to the lodge.”  

“I'm glad to hear that.  I think your father would approve of an escort, especially a soldier,” Lewey said as he took his last gulp of coffee.

When they finished eating and stood to leave, Lewey winked surreptitiously at Rachel and asked, “Do we want to stop at the Market House first?  It's Saturday and all the vendors should be there by now.”  

“No, we can't.  I told Phillip that we would be at the fort this morning, and we're already late.  We can go to the Market House later,” Ann said.

“How could we be late?  You just got up.” Lewey said, letting a smile cross his weathered features while glancing toward Rachel.

Rachel snickered.

After the girls ate, they headed for the fort.  “Let's be careful crossing the street; there is a lot of activity today,” Lewey said as he took the lead.

They were half way across when he noticed a rapidly approaching horse.  It was too late to get across the street. The man saw them and instead of slowing his horse, he spurred it and came galloping at them.   Realizing the danger, Lewey threw his arms out to stop the girls and stepped protectively in front of them.

Stopping his horse, the tall stranger from the Cogan stared down at them.  “Well, I'm glad to see you're still here.”  An evil smile crossed his face.

With his heart racing, Lewey looked at him. “What's wrong with you?  There was no need to scare the women like that.”  

“I just wanted to say good morning,” he grumbled, tilting his head back and laughing.

Looking down at Ann and Rachel and sensing their fright, he asked, “Do the ladies ever speak?”

Neither one looked up to face him.  Staring at his horse, Rachel could see the welts where he had beaten the poor horse, and she knew her suspicions about him were correct.

“Good day.  Now, if you'll excuse us we have somewhere to be,” said Lewey as he glared at the stranger and motioned for the girls to continue.

“Ladies.”  After tipping his hat and still laughing, he rode toward the Market House.

“I swear he was going to run us down,” Rachel said shaking from the experience.  “I've never met anyone more disgusting than him.  I hope I never see him again.”

“Did you see his filthy boots, full of mud and manure?  His horse had welts from being beaten by the brute!  I despise that man,” Ann said when they were safely on the boardwalk.  “Every encounter with that man scares me.  I'm glad Phillip is going to escort us.”

Lewey reminded them, “If you would've been up earlier, this would never have happened.  Now let's forget about him and enjoy our day.”

“I'm not going in the Market House today, not with him in there!” Ann exclaimed.

“Me either,” Rachel agreed emphatically.

“Okay, we're not going in.  Let's just go to the fort,” Lewey said as they passed the entrance to the Market House.

As they entered the fort through the front gate, a soldier on guard duty stopped them. “May I help you?”

Ann responded, “We're here to see Lieutenant Matter.”

Pointing toward a building the soldier began, “The Lieutenant is in that…”

“We know where he is, thank you,” Ann interrupted and headed toward the building.

Taking a few steps away from the soldier, Rachel remarked, “That was rude of you, Ann. He was just performing his duty.”

“But I know where Phillip's office is located.”

Entering, she saw Phillip sitting at his desk working on papers.  Seeing him brought an instant smile to Ann's face.  The soldier at the front desk inquired, “May I be of assistance?”  

Still smiling, Ann said loudly, “Yes, we're here to see Lieutenant Phillip Matter.”

Phillip looked up and immediately acknowledged them.  “Let me finish this one item, and I'll join you.”  

While waiting for Phillip to finish, Lewey looked around the building realizing how plain it was in comparison to Mr. Fairchild's office.  “This is a simple-looking office, nothing like any I've seen.”

“You're right, Lewey.  With the decline in the number of the soldiers, we renovated two barracks, knocking out the wall and making this our headquarters.  The Army provides little in the way of furnishings.  The Captain's office is the only one with privacy and any kind of accommodations.  Is everyone ready?”   

Once outside, Phillip put his arm around Ann and gave her a hug.  “I can't resist.  I hope you don't mind?” he asked while looking at Lewey and Rachel.

“No,” Lewey said as he lifted his cap.

“Now let me get serious.  Let's walk across the courtyard. ” As they walked he took Ann's hand and continued talking. “The fort was built in 1756; it's eighty-five years old.  Originally, it protected the settlers from the French and Indians.  Later it served to protect them from the Indian allies of the English.  During the Revolutionary War, it served as the headquarters for the American forces in the upper end of the Susquehanna Valley and protected the women and children in the area.  It once housed over a hundred men, but we're down to thirty-five including myself and the captain.  The fort will be decommissioned in the near future; at least, that's the Army's plans.”  

“If the fort is to be phased out and there are no conflicts, what are the soldiers' duties?” asked Lewey.

“There is a shooting range about a mile north of the fort, and everyone must continue to maintain their rifle skills.  The men must also participate in KP duty, kitchen patrol.”  

Ann noticed his look. “You look concerned.  I can cook if I have to,” she acknowledged.

“I know you could,” Phillip said and continued.  “Once in a great while there's a need to take a patrol out if the local sheriff can't handle a situation.  Oh, and one more thing I forgot; all the soldiers must take their turn at stable duty.”   

Impressed with the knowledge he possessed and the way he presented himself, Ann grabbed her friend's arm and whispered, “Isn't he brilliant?”       

Giving Ann a quick glance and rolling her eyes, Rachel commented to Phillip, “You're well informed on the history of the fort.  How long have you been stationed here?”  

“In January it will be three years.  As an officer, I was required to learn everything I could about not only the fort but the area as well.”

Walking to the other side of the courtyard, Phillip pointed to the stone well and continued, “All of the water used at the fort comes from this well.  The well isn't that deep; it's just below the river level, and will never run dry.  From this vantage point, you can see all four corners of the fort allowing for a possible crossfire in the event of an attack.  Don't worry; no one has attacked the fort in 20 years. You can also see how the logs are constructed.  They're upright in the front making it harder to climb, and lengthwise in the rear.”

“I never would have noticed,” Lewey admitted as he stepped closer to examine the wall.

“From here we're going to climb stairs to the second level platform.”

Reaching the platform and seeing the view overwhelmed everyone. “Wow. This is one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen.”  Rachel said excitedly.  “This would be a great place for Tom and me to build a house. Or, Ann, maybe you can convince your father to build a lodge here.”

The mention of Tom brought a puzzled look from Phillip, “Rachel, I didn't hear you mention a man before.  I assumed you didn't have a beau.  I would've never allowed my men to be so bold.”

“I was having so much fun, I didn't see the need to mention it, but now that you ask, he's my fiancé, and we'll be getting married shortly after I return to Philadelphia.”

“Oh, that's wonderful!”  Then turning toward Ann he added, “You should've told me about Tom.  I'm embarrassed for me and my men.  That's not how you treat a lady, especially one that is engaged.”

“Don't feel embarrassed, Phillip; no man can replace Tom in my heart,” Rachel assured him.  “It was my decision to dance with the soldiers.  I could've refused and just sat there.  When I decided to accompany Ann on the journey from Philadelphia I told myself I was going to make the best of it, and I am.”

“I should've mentioned it, but I guess I was overwhelmed myself,” Ann said as she squeezed his hand.

Phillip shrugged and nodded as if saying, ‘okay I understand' then he turned around and faced the river.

Pointing across the river, “On top of the cliffs over there was the Indian encampment, and from that point they could look over the entire area.  The Chief's name was Shikellemy; he was a great warrior to the Susquehannocks.  Remember I told you of the Tulpehocken Path?  Shikellemy and his braves used that path to walk to Philadelphia to meet with the Quaker government.”

All seemed to be enjoying the tour. Even Ann was interested until they went back down to the courtyard and ventured toward the stables.

“Phillip, must we see the stables? Lewey knows what goes on in a stable.”

Looking down the rows of horses impressed Rachel. “Don't be so selfish, Ann.  I saw a stable before but nothing this big.  Wow, look at all the horses. Lewey,” she asked, “did you ever see this many horses in one stable?”

“I can't say that I have.  I've seen a lot but never this many,” he answered.

“Do we want to walk through?” Phillip asked.

“No, we can see everything from here,” Ann said, holding her nose.

“Well, I guess we're not going in the stable,” Rachel said laughing.

Walking back across the courtyard Lewey asked, “Phillip, where are your quarters?”

Without thinking, Ann pointed and blurted out, “Over there.”  Looking back at Lewey she quickly corrected herself.  “I would think over there, since those are the only buildings left.”

Rachel grinned and held back a laugh as she turned her head away from Ann.  

With a puzzled look on his face, Lewey opened his mouth to question Ann when Phillip interrupted and pointed, “Yes, those are the officers' quarters.  The smaller one is mine.  We'll see my cabin after we eat.  Is everyone interested in the mess hall?”

His stomach growling, Lewey quickly responded, “I'd like to eat there, I'm hungry.  I had breakfast early.”  Phillip didn't see his accusing glance at Ann.

Phillip started talking again and pointing across the courtyard. “Before we go in, let me point out a few other things.  Those are the main barracks directly across the courtyard.  The smaller building on the far right is the stockade.  After lunch we'll walk through; it's empty at the moment.  Come on, let's feed Lewey.”   

Entering the mess hall, Rachel and Ann saw a few soldiers they recognized from the previous week.

“Will you be at the dance tonight, Rachel?” one soldier asked.

Turning toward Lewey, who didn't respond, Rachel hedged her answer.  “Perhaps,” she said smiling at the soldier.

Lewey completely ignored her. “Phillip, can we eat now?”

Phillip turned toward the girls and offered lunch.

“I'm not hungry, but I'd like a cup of tea.”  Ann said.

“Rachel, how about you?”  Phillip asked.

“Sure, tea is fine.”

Phillip handed Lewey a plate of food.  “Lieutenant, this is good whatever it is,” Lewey said, shoveling it in as fast as he could.

While they waited for Lewey to finish, Phillip suggested, “Do we want to see my cabin next?”  

“That's not necessary.  I just wondered where it was,” Lewey admitted as he looked at Ann.

Rachel said, “I wouldn't mind.  I'd like to see how messy it is.”  Phillip laughed as Ann gave her a frown.  

Finishing his meal, Lewey sat back, satisfied.  “That was really good.”

“Is everyone interested in seeing the stockade?  That's the last thing on the tour.”

“I'd like to see it,” Lewey said.  

“I would to; I've never seen the inside of a jail before,” Rachel admitted.

“Ann, are you interested?” Phillip turned and looked at her.

She nodded in agreement.

 Walking across the courtyard, Lewey commented, “This isn't a very big building.  How many prisoners does it hold at one time?”  

“As you'll see, it has two cells with single bunk beds in each.  I would assume during the French and Indian War and the British altercation they had more bunks, but recently there has been no need for doubling.”