A Breath of Snow and Ashes

In August 1773, Claire and Jamie celebrate his homecoming by making love. Claire tells him what’s been happening at home in his absence. A swarm of grasshoppers started destroying their crops, so Claire made the decision to torch the barley field they were eating, killing them all (and the rest of the barley). At that unfortunate moment, Roger arrived with the fearful newcomers, who “must ha’ thought Roger Mac had brought them to hell. Or to a coven meeting, at least” (157).

Jamie writes back to Lord John, in a letter dated August 14, 1773. He tells Lord John that he’s now the new Indian agent to the Southern Department. He condemns the committees that have become nothing more than violent mobs who threaten the citizens. Because governmental powers are unorganized and ineffective in policing these mobs, and because of corruption in the government as well as widespread violence and burnings by bandits and some natives throughout the colonies, Jamie observes that people are willing to embrace vigilante groups. Jamie has only accepted the position as Indian agent in attempt to keep men like Brown and his brother, Lionel, out of power.

Jamie tells Lord John about the new Protestant tenants of Fraser’s Ridge, expressing gratitude for a Protestant son-in-law to help ease their fears.