The Missing Button

Captain John Prescott rode his horse hard through the night, coming upon the Boar's Head Tavern on the edge of Boston just before dawn. Exhausted and hungry, he dismounted and handed the reins to a stable boy who stood waiting.

“Will you be awhile, sir? Shall I have the horse brushed and fed?” the boy asked.

“Yes, yes, that's a good lad.” Captain Prescott smiled at the boy. “Care for her well and there will be an extra shilling in it for you.”

“Aye, sir!” the boy said cheerfully. He led the captain's horse around to the stables and began using a currycomb to loosen the mud collected on the mare's coat. Captain Prescott rubbed a hand over his weary face, then turned and entered the Boar's Head Tavern.