Billy Green Saves the Day by Ben Guyatt Read Free Book Online Page B

your feet, or I’ll slay you right here!” Winder suddenly shouted, then yanked the young man to his feet. The general gestured to a group of other men. “I want you to move on ahead and confine the settlers to their homes. I don’t want any of them to warn the British at Burlington Heights. And take whatever food and ammunition you can find.”
    As Billy and Levi scrambled back up the escarpment, an American soldier fired his musket at them. The bullet whizzed over their heads, and they laughed as they swiftly climbed out of range. While they ran, Billy glanced at his brother. “I think I can forget about joining the army. From here on we’re all soldiers.”
    â€œWe should split up and warn as many people as we can,” Levi said, winking. “See you soon.” He bolted toward a patch of evergreens.
    â€œLevi?” Billy cried, and Levi stopped. “Were you really going to stop me from joining the army?”
    Levi grinned. “No, but be careful.” Then he disappeared.
    â€œYou, too,” Billy said as he headed in the other direction.

CHAPTER FOUR
    B reathless, Billy raced through the bush and halted at the base of the lane leading to the Foote farm. His father’s voice echoed through his head — thoughts of right and wrong, opinions about their romantic relationship. Was warning Sarah the wise thing to do? How would her father react? Billy’s dilemma caused him to turn back, but then he stopped and headed for the house again. “Sarah!” he shouted.
    Sarah appeared on the porch of her house. “Turn back, Billy!”
    They met in the middle of the path and embraced.
    â€œThe Americans are coming,” he said, then kissed her as he brushed aside her hair. “Leave with me now.”
    â€œOur troops are here!” she cried excitedly, looking over her shoulder.
    â€œWhat do you mean, our troops?”
    â€œSurrender, Billy. I don’t want you to get hurt.” She tried to pull him toward the house. “We can be together if you surrender.”
    Confused, Billy moved away from her. “I can’t do that. Why can’t you just come with me?”
    â€œMy father needs me. I can make him understand about us, but you have to give this up. We ... the Americans are going to take over. It’s better that you accept that and co-operate.” She caressed his face just as her father and several U.S. soldiers emerged from around the corner of the house. “Billy, please, listen to me!”
    â€œI’m sorry, Sarah.” Billy dashed for the shelter of the trees as the soldiers took aim and fired. He ducked as the musket balls pierced the air, ricocheting off the trees and earth as he jumped over a ridge. Sarah screamed when Billy tumbled down the steep embankment and finally came to rest, bruised and dazed. He gathered his senses and painfully heaved himself up.
    Samuel Foote and the soldiers rapidly descended the hill, unaware Billy was only a few yards away. Foote stopped and held up his hand to halt the others before taking a few guarded steps. His eyes searched the area and found Billy staring back, cowering behind a fallen log. Foote loaded his pistol as Billy watched in horror. Sarah’s father took deliberate aim but then slowly lowered the weapon.
    â€œIt was just a rabbit,” he told the soldiers. The Americans started back as Foote moved closer to Billy. “We’re even now,” he muttered at Billy, tucking the pistol inside his pants. “Next time I’ll fire.”
    In disbelief Billy watched as Foote scuttled off to join the soldiers. “Sarah ... oh, Sarah, what are we going to do?” he whispered to himself.
    Isaac Corman sat at his kitchen table inspecting his rifle. His pretty blond wife, Keziah, looked on anxiously. “We don’t even know if the Americans are coming to Stoney Creek,” she said nervously as her husband frowned at her. “You were wounded