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Jarudge Indeed, he was pleased to have coht count upon his assistance, in any way she chose to call upon hiht in the special whisky, with a tray of crystal goblets and a plate of savories, and we drank confusion to the British Navy

Looking at that fine-boned face, so full of blind eloquence, though, I couldn’t help recalling the brief synopsis Ja characteristics of the members of his family

"Frasers are stubborn as rocks," he’d said "And MacKenzies are char as larks in the field--but sly as foxes, with it"

"And where have you been?" Jaus a hard up-and-down "I didna think ye’d "

Fergus s offended dignity

"I met with a pair of French fur-traders in the town They speaking little English, and ree to assist them in their transactions If they should then choose to invite me to share a small supper at their inn…" He lifted one shoulder in Gallic dismissal of theinside his shirt for a letter

"This had arrived in Cross Creek for you," he said, handing it to Ja it"

It was a thick packet of paper, with a battered seal, and looked in little better condition than did Fergus Jah he opened it with sonized as his sister’s writing, the other two plainly addressed by someone else

Jah it ently down by the fruit bowl on the table

"I’ll start wi’ Ian," he said, picking up the second letter with a grin "I’lass of whisky in my hand"

He prised off the seal with the tip of the silver fruit knife, and opened the letter, scanning the first page "I wonder if he…" His voice faded off as he began to read

Curious, I got up and stood behind his chair, looking over his shoulder Ian Murray wrote a clear, large hand, and it was easy to read, even at a distance

Dear Brother--

All here are well, and give thanks to God for the news of your safe arrival in the Colonies I send this missive in care of Jocasta Caive her kindest regards to her Aunt

You will see froraces; she has quite ceased to talk of you in the same breath with Auld Scratch, and I have heard no recent references to Emasculation, which --her Heart isIan’s safety, as is ratitude at his Deliverance, I think; therefore I will not Weary you with Repetitions, though in all truth, I could write a Novel upon that theh the barley suffered e which has claimed two children this month, to their parents’ sorrow It will be Annie Fraser and Alasdair Kirby we have lost, may God have mercy on their innocence

On a happier note, we have had word from Michael in Paris; he continues to prosper in the wine business, and thinks ofyou with news of the birth of omery Lyle I shall contenta fuller description to Jenny; she is besotted of hiie’s husband--is a soldier, so Maggie and wee Anthony bide here at Lallybroch Paul is in France at present; we pray nightly he ers of the Colonies nor the wilds of Canada

We have had visitors this week; Si again, seeking recruits for the Highland regiment he commands You will perhaps hear of them in the Colonies, where I understand they have established soreat tales of their bravery against the Indians and the wicked French, sorinned at this, and turned the page over

He quite enthralled Henry and Matthew by his stories, and the girls as well Josephine ("Kitty’s eldest," Jamie observed in an aside to ineer a raid upon the chicken-coop, wherefroed bedecked with feathers,ee, Young Jamie, Kitty’s husband Geordie and ied to suffer attack by Tomahawk (kitchen spoons and ladles) and other for meanwhile a valiant defense with our broadswords (pieces of lath and igs)

I put a stop to the Suggestion that the thatch of the dove-cote be set afire with fla Scalped I flatter myself that I survived this Operation in better case than did the chickens

The letter continued in this vein, givingmore often with the business of the farration, Ian wrote, was "become epidee of Shewglie having decided upon this expedient

Ja, his eyes faintly dreah he saw the cool mists and stones of Lallybroch rather than the hule that surrounded us