The chefs set down the soup on the table. I saw a crew of soldiers walk into the dining room and sit down. I was very hungry after working, so I sat down. The soldiers started to eat at once. Before I lifted up my spoon, Alice came over and whispered, "We have to help clean the kitchen."

I walked over to the kitchen. I cleaned dishes and happily hummed a tune. All of a sudden, I heard a yell and a thud. I rushed out of the kitchen to see what happened. "A lady yelled, "A soldier has been poisoned by the soup! Who was the cook?"

I saw many chefs point at me. Banish her from the ship at once!" a soldier yelled.

Two men grabbed me and dragged me to the deck. It was raining very hard. They tied me in ropes. "What will you do to me?" I asked.

"You will be pushed off the ship!" one of the men said angrily.

I found myself dangling off the ship, face down to the water. The men let go of the rope. I felt cool water splash around me. The ropes were holding me in place, I could not swim at all. I gasped for breath. What was going to happen to me? All of a sudden, I saw someone splash into the water. It was Alice! She grabbed my ropes and swam up to the surface. I quickly breathed in as much air as I could, in relief. "Thank you, Alice," I said, tears squeezing out of my eyes.

"Sarah, I see Boston!" Alice said, pointing to the west. "Home!"

"We must swim to land," I said. "Just take me out of my ropes."

"Don't worry, I will. We don't even have to swim, we can just hang on to the ropes on the side of the ship," she said.

She untied me, and we swam to the side of the ship. We grabbed the ropes, and hung on until we were at shore. Crying tears of joy, I got up and ran to the meadow. My favorite place. Alice walked over to me. "I used to come here in the mornings ever day," she said.

I couldn't believe it-I used to come here everyday! How could we not of met? "I would come here at dusk," I said.

No one talked for a long time. "That is very strange," she said

. But then, she smiled. I smiled too. "I must go see my mother," I said.

"Me too," she said.

"Let's meet here at dawn," I replied.

"Okay," she said.

I hurried over to my home. There it was. I slowly put my hand on the brass doornob, and opened the door. "Mum?" I called out.

Mother came downstairs, and she saw me. Her mouth gaped opened in amazement. "Sarah!" she called out.

I ran over to her and hugged her. "Why were you gone? I was so worried!"

"I-I wanted to go find father," I said.

"We recieved a letter from him-he is not dead, he is coming home!"

"Really?!" I cried."Hoorah!"

"My, you must go change and go to bed," she said. I ran upstairs into the attic. Anne's things were gone-she must have gotten married when I was away. I opened my drawer, and there was my old diary. I quickly open it and wrote-

Dear Diary,

I am home now.

I have realized that father will come back soon.

I can't wait to see him!

I have been gone for five long months, and I am very tired.

It has been a long journey, looking for father, but I traveled for nothing.

Now I feel safe and sound.

January 1st, 1777