September 7th, 1793

• As the wagon heads out of the city, Grandfather has a coughing fit. The farmer worries that the old man might have the fever. Grandfather loosens his jacket and all is well. (For now.)
• Grandfather reviews the three fundamentals of soldiering with Mattie: sturdy boots, a full stomach, and good night's sleep.
• Speaking of sleeping, Mattie nods off for a bit and when she awakens, the wagon is being stopped by four men on horses armed with muskets. They've been sent by the town council of Pembroke to keep the sick from passing through the town.
• A doctor is with the men and examines the passengers. Everyone passes except for Grandfather who happens just then to have a coughing fit. Talk about bad luck. The doctor demands that they all return to the city
• The farmer and his family say that they are healthy and should be allowed to pass. The doctor agrees. When Mattie and Grandfather protest, the leader of the group tells them that he must "take care of our own" (11.65).
• Mattie and her grandfather are abandoned in the middle of the countryside.