Forever Young Birth Of A Nation Read Free Page B

small slender lady with warm
brown eyes, and wheat colored hair. Introductions were made all
around, and when it was Ian’s turn to be introduced to Mrs. Gage he
bowed slightly as he kissed the back of her gloved hand saying
“Enchanted Lady Gage. We congratulate the two of you on your
wedding anniversary.” James stepped forward and was introduced
doing exactly as Ian had done, as did Andrew. Ian then said “We
have brought you a gift to commemorate this occasion.” Reaching
into his breast pocket he withdrew two flat black felt cases, each
with a pearl button to secure it. Handing them to General Gage and
to his wife he smiled warmly. The two opened the cases and saw the
sun glasses, Gage exclaiming “Ian whatever are these?”
    “They are sun glasses sir.”
    “Why Mr. McCloud, these are just marvelously
made.” she said as she put on the ivory framed sun glasses. She
went on “Oh Thomas aren’t these just marvelous?”
    “Yes, yes Esther. My Ian, what fine
workmanship! Thank you so much. Wherever did you get these?”
    “They are made in France by Lafayette
Industries.”
    Andrew then spoke up saying “Lady Gage, Ian
invented them while he lived there.”
    Esther turned to Ian, looking anew at him
“No! Really Mr. McCloud? Whatever inspired you to think of such a
thing?”
    “Someone dear to me has a problem with
bright sunlight and I had the first pair ever made just for her.”
He thought and she is a vampire like two of us are, but you do
not need to know that!
    About that time the guests were all summoned
to dine. As they made their way to the sumptuous banquet table,
Lady Gage plied Ian and James with questions as her husband
amusedly looked on. As it turned out, a major who was with General
Gage knew Andrew Norris. He informed the Gages that he knew Norris
and the two of them paired off to talk as the group continued to
the banquet table. Each guest group was separated and ushered to
their place and the three men were quite a way down the table from
General Gage and his wife as it turned out. They were seated with
the Major who knew Andrew and the two were soon engaged in
conversation as the other guests were settled. There were some
eighty odd people there as best Ian could tell.
    The Anglican Bishop of New York asked
everyone to stand as he offered a prayer. General Gage then bade
everyone be seated as wine was brought around to each guest. After
all were served, they waited expectantly. When Gage stood all stood
with him and he offered a toast with the words “God Save the King”
to which all responded likewise and drank. Gage was disturbed by
the constant news of colonials rebelling against the Crown and even
while artfully talking with the guests nearest him, he pondered
what besides the hostilities he might offer for a topic of
conversation that evening. The young Major who was a friend of
Captain Andrew Norris came to him and whispered something.
    Supper was nearly through when General Gage
stood and using his fork he made a pinging noise on the crystal
goblet he held. The conversation died down as he said “Some eight
years ago a Scottish trading vessel in the Mediterranean was
attacked by two pirate ships. That crew defeated the pirates in a
brilliantly fought battle and as a result, the daughter of the
Spanish Ambassador to France was saved from being sold into
slavery. She and a companion had been captured at sea by these same
pirates who murdered her aunt, uncle, and the entire crew of their
ship. It has just been brought to my attention that we have with us
tonight one of the men who rescued the daughter of the Spanish
Ambassador to France from those pirates. Ian McCloud, would you
please stand up for everyone sir?”
    Embarrassed, Ian stood uncomfortably to
scattered applause as General Gage said “Mr. McCloud, would you do
us the honor of relating that story after dinner. I am sure that
there are more than a few of us who would love to hear your
account.” Ian nodded and sat back