Free America the Dead by Joseph Talluto

to try to set up another town here, so it just sat, content in its slow walk to decay and ruin. Many towns were in the same position, I would bet.
    We moved past Freeport, throwing waves at the people who were out taking in the spring air. There were shouts of recognition and by the time we had passed, at least a hundred people had come down to wave hello. I had to admit, it felt good to be back in this area.
    Rounding the bend, I got my first look at the improvements made by Nate in the community of Leport. The hills to the north were covered in small farm plots and there was ample grazing for the herds of animals found on the slopes just slightly to the south. I could see many people working their small plots of land, turning over the soil with hand tools, getting it ready for planting. I noticed two small buildings near the animal pens that hadn’t been there before. I also noticed several guard towers on the tops of the highest hills, manned with two people each.
    Pulling up slowly through the canal, Charlie eased the boat along the waterfront. I had picked up Jake and was standing with him on the front of the boat. I saw several people stop what they were doing to stare at the unusual visitors. I waved at one of them and he waved back, not really sure of who we were.
    There was a shout and from a lookout tower I saw a figure running like hell towards a house. There was a small commotion, then I saw the huge form of my old friend Nate come outside, look in our direction, and even from this distance I could see him smile. He shouted back into the house, then began heading to the pier, yelling as he went. A small crowd was forming and working their way down to the docks.
    Charlie pulled the boat up alongside the dock and a group of about forty people was waiting for us. I saw many familiar faces and I couldn’t help but smile at them all. The boat was secured and we disembarked carefully one at a time.
    I gave Jake to Sarah, who handed him back to me after I had left the boat. I was immediately swamped with greetings and spent several minutes shaking hands and meeting people. Sarah and Rebecca were hugging nearly every woman there and they spent a few minutes showing off their left hands to the giggling flock. Charlie came out last and he got as much attention as the rest of us, although he seemed shy about the attention.
    Suddenly a shout cut off conversation. “What the hell’s going on here? What’s the matter with you people? Ain’t you never seen a traveler before?” Nate strolled up, came within inches of me and growled into my face. “We got rules here, slick.”
    I was about to reply when Jake literally jumped off of me and wrapped his hands around Nate’s neck, pulling him off balance and tumbling him to the ground. Nate twisted and landed heavily on his back with Jake sitting happily on his chest.
    I laughed with the crowd and when the noise died down I said loud enough for everyone to hear, “You’d better be more polite or next time I’ll find a five- year-old to seriously kick your ass.”
    Nate laughed out loud and I helped him to his feet. He handed Jake back to me, and I shook Nate’s hand with all the enthusiasm I could muster. “It sure is good to see you again, old friend,” I said warmly.
    Nate smiled. “You too, buddy. You, too. C’mon, we’ll get you guys to our visitors lodge, then I’ll take you on a tour.”
    “Good enough,” I said, as I shouldered my gear and set Jake down. Sarah came up beside me and took Jake’s other hand. Together we walked him down the street and up the hill. We waved to a number of people and a lot of people came out to shake hands and say hello. It was nice to be back.
    On our way through the town, I noticed a lot of improvements. The homes were well-kept and there were lots of small garden plots in the lawns of many homes. A lot of homes had coops for chickens and areas for rabbits. We didn’t have chickens at Starved Rock, so I actually began to hope