The Cogan Legend (9 page)

Moments later, both girls arrived dressed in their best attire.  Both carried long woolen coats.  Ann's was trimmed in fur, and she had a matching hat and muff.  Her satin dress was a dark shade of blue that complemented her hair and eyes.  Her small waist and voluptuous figure was now apparent to Phillip.  

Although wearing her finest clothing and looking beautiful, Rachel's attire was not as elegant as Ann's.

A smiling Phillip couldn't take his eyes off of Ann. “I'm delighted to escort two stunning, beautiful young ladies to dinner.”  He took them to Reeds Tavern, the finest restaurant in Sunbury, and as they entered every head turned in their direction.

“Lieutenant, this is a nice establishment.  It's designed like several restaurants in Philadelphia.  Do you dine here often?”

“Please, Ann; I insist you call me Phillip.  And I dine here on rare occasion; usually I eat at the fort.”

Curious Rachel asked, “If Lewey gives us permission, what type of dance will we be attending?”

Phillip replied, “It's a country dance; several locals get together and play different instruments.  Actually, they have become quite good; they play at the Market House every Saturday night, weather permitting.  The dancing itself is simple and lots of fun.  When we get there, we'll observe for a time, and then we could join in.  I'm sure Lewey is quite a dancer.”

“Oh no, not me,” Lewey laughed.  

His description reminded both girls of the tavern in Philadelphia, and they looked at each other and smiled.

“This is the liveliest night of the week, young and old alike; single people and couples all come for an evening of fun.”

“Well enough about the dance,” Phillip said as he changed the subject to some history of the area.  “Did you know that the Indian ambassadors walked to Philadelphia from this area to meet with government officials?”

“Girls, would you want to walk home from here?”  Lewey asked with a grin.

“The route known as the Tulpehocken Path runs near Herndon, and you probably drove over it on your way,” the Lieutenant continued.

Ann had no interest in the history of the area but was curious about the Lieutenant's personal life and questioned, “Phillip, will we meet any of your female companions tonight?”

At Ann's boldness, Phillip looked directly at her, smiled and replied, “I have no female companions. What about you, how many beaus are waiting in Philadelphia?”

“Like you, I have no special companions,” was Ann's response.  She couldn't help but notice the joy on the Lieutenant's face.  

After dinner concluded, Phillip suggested walking over to the Market House.  Silent for a moment, Lewey agreed, “Okay, I want to see for myself what goes on inside.”

As they approached, the sound of music filled the brisk air.  The road was packed with wagons and carriages, and they had to sidestep around the horses that were heading in that direction.  Lewey saw the soldiers posted at the entrance and asked, “Is it usual to have your men at the entrance?”

“We don't allow firearms in the building, but on occasion we have a rowdy individual that must be escorted out,” Phillip responded. “But no need to worry, Lewey.”

Many people knew the Lieutenant and warmly greeted him.  The girls saw there were tables set up next to the dance area and on one side was a saloon and food area.  The big fireplaces were roaring, and it was quite warm.  Ann commented, “How quickly it was transformed from a market house to a dance hall.”

“They do this every Saturday night, so they are pretty good at it,” Phillip said.  He pointed to a table where two soldiers sat. “Gentlemen, may we join you?”

Phillip had it all planned out.  His intent was to have his soldiers entertain Rachel so he could spend the entire evening with Ann.

“Yes, sir, beautiful women are always welcome, sir.”

They sat and observed people having a grand old time.  Rachel's thoughts immediately turned to Tom and Philadelphia.  Phillip then stood and asked, “What would you like to drink?”

“I'll have ale and the ladies will have sarsaparilla,” Lewey instructed.

Every table in the dance hall was filled, and there was standing room only around the saloon.   Ann and Rachel drew attention away from the local girls.

Ann leaned toward Rachel and whispered, “From the looks we're getting, I don't think we're too popular with the local girls.”

“You're right,” Rachel agreed.

One girl in particular glared at the Lieutenant, but he ignored her.

Ann put her arm on Phillip's shoulder and asked, “I thought you told me you don't have any female companions.”

“I didn't until today.  I'm hoping I'll only have one,” he smiled.

Ann's face lit up.  

Lewey slowly finished his drink.  Since he became acquainted with the Lieutenant throughout the day, Lewey felt it was safe to leave his charges in the soldier's care.  He decided to turn in, but first he warned Phillip about the consequences should harm come to the girls.   

“Lieutenant, you appear to be a gentleman, but if any harm were to come to these young ladies, I'll be looking for you in the morning, and I'll be visiting your commanding officer, I assure you.”

“I promise.  Mr. Hess, no harm will come to these ladies.”

Lewey looked at the girls and stated, “You can stay on two conditions: you must be in your room by eleven o'clock, and you must be ready for the long trip back early in the morning.”

“We will, we will, won't we Rachel!” Ann exclaimed and never gave Rachel the opportunity to speak.

Lewey thanked Phillip for the meal, turned, looked at the girls with one more reminder. “I'll have you up bright and early, and ladies, I don't want any whining.”

They just looked at him and shook their heads in agreement.

“Again, Mr. Hess, I assure you they'll be safe.”  Phillip said.

Ann and Phillip became more relaxed after Lewey's departure.  

Phillip now ordered his men, “Remove anyone who appears ready to do something stupid.  And I'm ordering you to dance with Miss Miller.”

After observing for a while, Ann commented, “This dance is similar to those that Rachel and I attended in Philadelphia.”

Then Phillip requested, “Ann, are you ready to give it a try?”

Ann was not shy, and she was anxious to dance as she took Phillip's arm.  Many eyes eagerly watched.  Finally, one of the soldiers asked Rachel to dance, and she didn't hesitate.  Suddenly among the crowd, Rachel caught a glimpse of the two scary men they encountered in the Cogan the day before.  She kept watching the shorter man, whose eyes were fixed on Ann.  He seemed to be in a trance and never took his eyes from her.

Rachel and the soldier danced across the floor toward the table when she touched Ann's arm and whispered in her ear, “Did you see the scary looking men we saw yesterday? They're here, and the shorter one couldn't stop looking at you.”  

“I saw them too,” Ann said.

The Lieutenant was curious. “Point them out to me, Ann.”

“There, those two going out the door. The one is crippled and walks lame.”

“I see them. Did they do harm to you?” Phillip asked.

“No, no harm came to us, just fear.  They look scary, especially the one with the scar on his cheek.  The shorter one didn't take his eyes off me the entire time we were at the stable, and tonight he just stared as we danced,” Ann explained.

“Well, I can't say that I blame him; I can't take my eyes off you either.”  

That brought a smile back to Ann's lips.

Phillip was concerned, but he didn't react.  “Enough about them; they're probably gone.” He turned to Ann. “Would you like to accompany me outside for some fresh air?”

Ann reached for his hand, happy for the chance to be alone with him.  

They started walking and Phillip put his arm around her waist. “Miss Fairchild, I'm truly enjoying your company.  I'm hoping this will not be the last time I ever see you.”

 Never having had feelings of love before, Ann confessed, “I'm also enjoying myself, and I don't want this night to end.”

Phillip turned to direct them back inside out of the brisk night air and then leaned over and kissed her.

With delight she responded, and the feeling of love was expressed in each kiss.  For several minutes they were both emotionally charged.

Their lips parted and Phillip requested, “Ann, I want you to return.  I can promise you a much more exciting time.  I'll show you the fort and much more.”

“I'm not sure my father will allow it, although I'll try,” she promised.

“Tell your father I wish to meet him.  Assure him that I'll personally escort all of you back to his lodge.”

“I'll try my best to persuade him. With Rachel's help, he might allow it.”

 Walking back toward the building, he again took her in his arms and kissed her.  Ann was enjoying being in the arms of such a handsome man but backed off saying, “I'm getting cold; we really should get inside.”  

When they entered the Market House, Rachel was dancing with one of the soldiers and seemed to be having a good time.  The dance concluded, and Ann waved to her, “It's getting late. We must go back to the hotel. Lewey will be knocking on the door early.”  

“Rachel, would you like one of my soldiers to escort you back to the hotel?” Phillip asked.

It was good to have male companionship, but Rachel couldn't betray Tom and therefore told him, “That won't be necessary; I'll just follow you and Ann.”

 Phillip took Ann's hand and put his arm around her waist as they left, and there was little conversation between them.  When they approached the hotel, Rachel went inside, and Phillip and Ann stayed on the sidewalk and kissed again and again.

Ann's emotions started to stir. “I must go in; it's late.”

Phillip, completely infatuated with Ann, pleaded with her to return.  “I want so much to see you before you leave, but I'm on duty in the morning or I would escort you personally.  Please tell your father I want to meet him, and come back to me, Ann.”

Ann now had strong feelings for Phillip, and as they embraced and kissed one last time, she assured him, “If my father won't allow me to come back, I'll write and make arrangements for you to come to Philadelphia, but I will try to persuade him.  I want to see you again, too.”  

Finally, Ann entered the room, and Rachel waited for some sort of comment from her.  “Well,” said Rachel. “How do you feel?”

Ann admitted that she never felt this way toward any other man and confided to her best friend. “I think I'm in love for the first time in my life.  I'm so happy I could dance.”  She grabbed Rachel by the arm, pulled her from the bed, and they circled the floor laughing and dancing.

 Rachel said, “See how wonderful love can be?  We better get to bed, it's really late.”  

Ann wasn't a bit tired; she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep.  Ann undressed for bed, turned to Rachel, and asked again, “Do you think I can excite him?”

 They laughed and Rachel's only comment was, “It better be dark with your skinny body.”  

 

Before they knew it, Lewey pounded on the door.  “Ladies, it's time to get up.”  They ignored the call, until Lewey knocked again.

“We're up Lewey, we're up,” Rachel finally said.  She shook Ann awake.

During breakfast, Lewey looked at both of them.  “What time did you retire last night?”

Ann was quick to answer, “Oh, it was right around eleven o'clock, Lewey.”

From the look on his face, Ann suspected he didn't believe her but said nothing.  Lewey had the team in front of the hotel ready to go, and as promised the Lieutenant had a patrol, led by Sergeant Koppenhaver, waiting.

Lewey appraised Koppenhaver as he climbed onto the cab.  “Good morning, sergeant. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, sir,” the sergeant replied.   

When the coach began to move, Ann knelt on the seat and stared out the back window until the fort disappeared from sight.   Rachel laughed as she watched her friend. “Wow, I'm beginning to believe you are in love.”

It didn't take long until Rachel fell asleep, and Ann soon followed.  They were both still exhausted and as the journey continued, Lewey decided to refresh the horses in Herndon.  He'd made up his mind never to stop in the Cogan again.

The stop woke the girls so they decided to get out and stretch.  “Where are we?” Ann asked.

“Herndon,” Lewey said as he tied the horses.

“I'm glad you decided not to stop in the Cogan.  I never want to stop there again.  Those two men frightened us.  I'm still scared,” Ann said.

“You needn't worry.  I never intend to stop there again,” Lewey reassured her.  “We better eat lunch here before we resume.  We won't eat again until we get to the lodge.”

The soldiers joined them for lunch, and Ann decided this would be a perfect time to ask questions about the Lieutenant.  “Sergeant, is the Lieutenant a good leader?”  

Looking directly at Ann, the sergeant responded, “Oh yes, ma'am. Sometimes I wish he were the one in charge of the fort instead of the Captain.”  The other men shook their heads in agreement.

“Don't tell the Captain I said that, ma'am,” requested the sergeant.

“Your secret is safe with us,” Ann assured the officer while glancing at Rachel.  Lewey made a mental note about the Lieutenant's men and the respect they displayed for him.   In a hurry to get on the road, Lewey walked to the counter, paid the bill, and informed the group, “We still have a long way to go, so we best be on our way.”

While passing a rundown farm, Lewey took a quick look around, but he saw no signs of life.  He wondered if the place belonged to the taller of the two men they had encountered in the Cogan.   When they got to the Cogan road the patrol stopped.  Lewey asked, “Sergeant, I thought you were to escort us through the Cogan?”