The Patriot and the Red Coat III

"What a great fort, Bobby," Linda said.  "Just a change or two so that we can setup my laptop to see the map.  Maybe we can find the treasure."

"Treasure?" my ears perked up.  "Finding a treasure would be great, but in the Nathan Hale Forest?"

"If you help, I'll explain while we work," Linda said.

"OK."

I wasn't blind to the fact that simple stuff for the fort wasn't much to ask for a treasure.  So we started in, while Linda offered her explanation.

"During the Revolution, Nathan Hale was caught spying in 1776.  By 1780, the Colonists needed help.  France provided it.  General Rochambeau, with a force of over 5000, marched from Newport, Rhode Island, across Connecticut, to join up with General Washington to attack the British at Yorktown."

"How do you know all this stuff Linda?" I asked.

"While I spent last summer with my Grand Parents here in Coventry," she answered, "Grammy and her friends, prepared food for a celebration.  A memorial was dedicated thanking the French and Rochambeau.  The French Ambassador came up from Washington.  It was a big deal."

"That must have been cool," I said.

"Oh it was.  Grammy wanted me to understand our family's role in 1780.  My great, great, well, I actually don't know how many greats, but a lot, Grand Parents had a farm in Coventry," Linda explained.  "They supported the Revolution, and the French.  A family secret was handed down from those times."

"A secret?" I whispered.  It was like I was in a trance.

"Yes, a secret treasure map," she also whispered.  "The French had a chest of gold coins to cover expenses.  They didn't want to risk the gold falling into British hands.  A decision was made to bury the chest secretly, on my family's farm!"