Miranda looked at him before answering, "Anything's better than having you in their hands."

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He sighed before nodding and he was pushed to his family.

A soldier came up behind Elizabeth and grabbed her arms, before tying them behind her back.

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"No," whispered Miranda, but soon another soldier had seized her and done the same thing. She looked over at Margaret and the children for a moment, but had to look away when one soldier gave the ropes around her wrists a particularly painful jerk.

"Wait!" called Ben. "You cannot take them!"

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"And why shouldn't I? They are relatives and children of Colonials who are well kinown."

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"They are young women!" he said.

Something clicked in Miranda's head. She flared up with fury. "You have him, don't you?" she shouted, looking up at Tavington. "You have him!" she shouted again, struggling against the soldier. "You have my uncle!" The soldier began to lead her away. "You took him! You took him!" Her eyes stung as she shouted.

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Elizabeth looked at Miranda, a weariness starting to take over. Nevertheless, as she was taken away, she struggled as well.

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Ben could say no more as Miranda and Elizabeth were taken away. "Sir!" called one of the redcoats holding Miranda. "This one is armed!" Miranda's face went snow white - she had forgotten about her knife - her revolver she had left on the table.

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Elizabeth turned her head and since she was wearing a skirt, she could hide her dagger. She grabbed the hilt, and pulled it out slyly so the soldier wouldn't see. She began to saw at her bindings, and when she got free, she smirked slightly.

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The soldier backhanded her across the cheek and said, "Drop it!" She looked at him defiantly and did not move. He smacked her again, so hard that her face turned all the way to the side, but still, she did not move.

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Elizabeth looked worriedly at Miranda, and she suddenly drove the hilt of the dagger into the side of the soldier holding her, and he yelped in pain and let go of her. She ran off and Tavington turned his head. He grabbed Miranda while telling the soldiers to go after her.

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Miranda struggled madly as Tavington grabbed her elbow. He turned to look at her, and for that brief moment, the hate between them was as visible and tangible as rock. She backhanded him with her other hand and ran off in the opposite direction as Elizabeth.

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Elizabeth picked up her skirts and she ran as fast as she could, but she heard hoofbeats and she tried to increase her speed.Something suddenly collided with the back of her head and she fell toi the ground, unconsious.

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Miranda heard Tavington's cries to go after her, as well, but had a window of opportunity with the soldiers' confusion. She ran as fast as she possibly could, and dove into a small cave until they passed. She fingered her knife and rose, beginning to walk toward the river.

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A few hours later, Elizabeth groaned softly and she opened her eyes. She found herself tied to a tree and then jerked her head as she heard Tavington. "Look who's awake." She glared at him and said, "Where is she?"

"Your friend? She escaped, but we'll get her soon."

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Miranda made her way through the woods as the sky grew steadily blacker. The cold began to penetrate her skin like needles - she didn't have anything over her dress, and her sleeves were made of thin cotton. Suddenly, she heard a twig snap, and froze. "Miranda?" whispered a familiar voice.

"Mr. Martin?" she asked.

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She struggled against her bonds before he said, "You won't get out of those bonds anytime soon." She then glared up at him again, and he smirked before walking away.

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