Hannah of Kentucky - James Otis |
It was on a hot day in July, when even the most industrious of our company were forced to seek some spot where they could be sheltered from the burning rays of the sun, that Billy and I were sitting just within the shadow of the watch-house nearest the creek, when Elizabeth Callaway, with her sister Fanny and Jemima Boone, came over to ask if we would go on the water in her father's canoe.
I knew that by drifting down the creek as far as the river we would find a cooling breeze, and I dearly wanted to go with the girls, as did Billy; but only the day before mother had said that, without first getting her consent, we must not wander a hundred paces from the fort, unless we went to the plantation with father.
Billy went at once to find her, believing she might be in Mrs. Boone's cabin; but she was not there, and he spent so much time searching for her that Elizabeth finally said that they would go on, but that we should follow when mother had given permission.