Sunnyside continued-13

 

William bellowed a courageous response, "William Faulk!" John Denson replied back “William, it me John Denson”. Hearing this William with a great sigh of relief walked over to him. John questioned what he was doing and William said he was going to Sunnyside and wondered if he could get a ride, John smiled, replying, "Of course! What happened to your horse?” William replied, “I'll explain on the way”.

Arriving at Sunnyside, William and John entered through the east gate along the row of cedar trees. Hoping to not frighten Mary Ann or the children, they pulled the wagon up and William opened the wrought iron gate and walked up the brick walkway. Upon reaching the door, John made his way back to Denson Level while William knocked and proclaimed that it was him. Taken aback, Mary Ann opened the door with a sign of relief, gesturing for him to come in and thanking him. Taking off his hat, William asked where G.W. was, to which Mary Ann replied that he was out searching for Margaret with Robert. William mentioned that he was there to guarantee the safety of Sunnyside from the Union patrols.

By the time Henry had made his way downstairs, William asked him to carry the ear of corn to the water trough and hang it there. Henry looked somewhat perplexed when he responded with a “Yes Sir!” William then moved to the porch and proceeded to tie his apron to one of the columns. Just as he finished up, a troop of Union soldiers appeared on the road. When one of the riders ventured closer, William illuminated the apron with an oil lamp, causing the lone rider to abruptly turn back and rejoin the patrol. The Union soldiers moved on, leaving Sunnyside unscathed.

Mary Ann insisted that William stay the night, despite it only being a few hours before dawn. Henry, in excitement, pleaded with William and, accepting, he granted Henry's request under one condition: to help him gather firewood. Mary Ann bid them goodnight and returned to her room with a sense of security. William and Henry then stoked the fire and settled close to the warm hearth.

As the sun began to break the horizon, GW, Robert, Axson, and Amos Mose began preparations for their journey back to Patterson Ford, and continue their search for Margaret. Despite it being a long day ahead of them, they were committed in their mission to locate her, praying they would not be too late and find her succumbing to the frigid cold night.

The entire Patterson Ford search party returned to the site that afternoon but Margaret was still not located. Robert was adamant that they keep searching, and everyone agreed. Unfortunately, after three days without any trace of her, Robert had to make the difficult decision to call off the search. All that could be found was a single shoe on the bank of Savage Creek. Robert expressed his gratitude to everyone for their efforts and mentioned that he was aware of their tremendous commitment and that he would do his best to repay the debt in some way.

Axson told GW that she must had been swept away in Savage Creek by the current and drowned. Amos Mose suspected that the Union Soldiers had apprehended her. Either way no one knew. GW was exhausted, yet the most difficult task awaited him, informing Sallie of what had happened to Margaret. He was aware of the close bond between them and knew the grief that the news would bring. Consequently, with a heavy heart GW took his workers home.

Sallie and her siblings embraced GW as he had come home after three days. His sad voice called Sallie as he sat in his father's rocking chair. Picking up Sallie, he set her on his lap and explained that everyone had done their very best to search for Margaret, but unfortunately were unable to locate her, and believed that she had passed away. Seeing his daughter's broken heart filled with sadness, she started to cry and shout, 'No, no, no!' His shirt became damp with her sorrows as he embraced her lovingly and comforted her until she fell asleep.