Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond (Books 1 & 2 in the Bregdan Chronicles) by Ginny Dye - HTML preview

Chapter Twenty-Two

Rose could hardly move the next morning when she woke up. She had never been so sore in her life. She rolled over to see if Moses was awake.

“Don’t remember feeling pain in quite these same places before,” Moses said with a smile. He was lying on his side, watching her.

Rose allowed herself a small groan. “Are we really going to spend all day in a saddle again?” she asked. “I think every single part of me hurts.” This was the first time they had talked since they arrived at their station the night before. When Mike pointed them toward the barn where they would spend the night, they fell into their hay beds, exhausted. Within seconds, they were asleep.

Moses looked at her lovingly. “It’s amazing.”

“What is?”

“How you can still look beautiful after all day in a saddle and all night in a hay loft.”

Rose smiled and leaned over to give him a kiss. Then she fell back as every muscle screamed in protest of movement. “That’s what I love about you, Moses. You’re such a good liar.”

Moses opened his mouth to protest, but they heard the barn door creak open.

“Anybody alive in there?” the now familiar Irish voice sang out.

“We’re alive,” Moses called back.

“That’s good. I have some breakfast here for you. Then we’ve got to hit the road. We’ve—”

“Got connections to make,” Rose completed for him.

Then she brightened. Each connection with the Underground Railroad was taking them that much closer to freedom. She stretched long and hard, forcing her stiff muscles to respond.

“You gonna make it, Rose girl?” Moses asked playfully.

Books 1 & 2 of The Bregdan Chronicles 761

Rose stuck out her tongue and jumped to her feet, ignoring the pain that shot through her body. “I’ll be ready before you are,” she shot back. In a flash, she climbed nimbly down the ladder leading to the loft and headed in the direction of the well.

“Hey, you!” Moses cried. Seconds later he ran up behind her and grabbed her in a hug.

Laughing, the two of them quickly got ready.

It was almost dark when they rode up to the banks of the Rappahannock River. In spite of her exhaustion, Rose was thrilled at the sight of the vast river spread out before her. It was like being back on the James. The sight of it made her heart long for Carrie. “You think she made it back home, don’t you?” she asked for what was probably the hundredth time.

Moses answered patiently. He knew how worried she was. “Carrie Cromwell is an incredible woman. I know she made it back home.”

Rose nodded again, but still her heart wondered.

Carrie had to ride back that long distance by herself. Had anyone stopped to question her? Had she encountered any trouble? Were things going to run smoothly on the plantation?”

“Honey, you’re going to have to let it go.”

Rose looked at Moses. “I know. Mama always told me it was a waste of precious energy to worry about things you couldn’t do anything about. I’m trying to let it all go.

Honest.”

Mike broke through the brush surrounding them and smiled brightly, though fatigue showed on his face.

Minutes later, they were seated in a large boat, moving quickly through the water.

Rose watched as the land slipped further away. Mike had assured them the horses they had left tied would be picked up by someone that night. They would be well taken care of and used for more escape attempts. Still, it

Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond 762

had been hard to leave them. They had been her last tangible connection with Carrie. She watched until the encroaching darkness made it impossible to see anything but the water surrounding her. Then she turned her head to see where they were going.

Moses and Mike were leaning hard into the oars as the man who had met them skillfully navigated the dark waters. Rose watched for a few minutes and then laid her head back to stare up into the sky. The first stars had begun to shimmer, and a mere sliver of the moon seemed to hang from a thread. She was grateful the sky was clear.

She couldn’t imagine being in this boat during a storm.

The only sound was the men’s heavy breathing as they hauled hard on the oars. Rose smiled as she caught her first glimpse of the approaching shore. Mike had said they were making good time.

The last two days had been full of heart-stopping moments for her. Every strange face had the potential to be the one that would result in her being sent back into slavery. It had been hard to leave Carrie, but as they moved steadily north, the desire for freedom had become a steady flame in her heart. She could feel the desire pulse with every hoofbeat, and now with every stroke of the oar.

Freedom... Freedom... Freedom...

So far they had run into no obstacles. The closest they had come to trouble was meeting the captain on the road.

True, they had a long way to go to reach Philadelphia, but they were soon going to be out of Virginia. She could feel the excitement growing in her heart.

Two days later they reached the banks of the Potomac River. The twenty miles they had covered after leaving the Rappahannock had been grueling. Being on foot now meant they must travel by night. The narrow, rutted roads they had walked down would have been difficult in

Books 1 & 2 of The Bregdan Chronicles 763

the day, but by night they were relentless. Rose had fallen more than once, quietly getting back up every time to continue on. The nights were getting colder, and she was increasingly grateful for the warmth of the coat Carrie had given her.

Mike returned from scouting the shore with a worried look on his face. “The boat should have been waiting for us. We will stay here. They’re probably running late.”

Rose said nothing, just stared across the huge expanse of water. The sky was beginning to grow light. If they didn’t cross soon, they would have to spend another whole day by the river, risking discovery, even though their location must truly be remote.

The sky was glowing orange when Mike turned to them with a smile. “Looks like we get one more day in Virginia.”

Rose could tell he was trying not to worry them.

“Will there be a boat, Mike?” Moses asked quietly. “You can be honest with us.”

Mike shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t be knowing that.

There was supposed to be a boat. That’s all I was told.

Any number of things can be happening to mess up the plans, though.”

“And if there’s not a boat?” Moses asked.

“Then we’ll be looking for another way across that water,” Mike said. He stretched mightily. “As long as we don’t have somewhere to be getting to, I think it would be a fine time for a wee bit of sleep.” He lay down on the ground and was soon snoring.

Rose and Moses looked at each other. Moses smiled.

“He’s right. We might as well get some rest.”

Sometime later, an angry shout startled them awake.

It came from the direction of the water.

Rose started upward, only to be stopped by Moses’ big hand on her arm. He had a finger laid across his lips.

Mike was already up, crouched at the brush, trying to see where the noise was coming from. When he saw Rose and Moses watching him, he motioned them to move farther back into the woods. Moses stood easily, took Rose’s arm, and crept away. Only when they were another hundred feet back, settled behind a large tree surrounded by low growing brush, did he stop.

Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond 764

All they could do was listen. For a long time, they heard nothing. Then voices erupted again.

“I thought you told me you saw movement up there,”

a deep voice called.

Moses leaned close to Rose’s ear and whispered.

“Whoever it is must be down on the little trail that runs along the bank. I saw it earlier.”

“I did see something move,” a voice slurred back. “It was a deer I tell you!”

Rose frowned. The sound of their voices told her they had been hitting the bottle too hard that morning. She pushed down her sudden panic. She couldn’t let memories have the best of her now. Letting her imagination run wild now would do no one any good.

The unseen voices continued. “Daddy said we better not come back without some deer meat. It’s your fault we’re getting such a late start.”

“Ain’t my fault! You’re the one who brought along that bottle.”

Just then a shot rang out.

“I got one!” a voice yelled in triumph. “Did you see it move up there on the bank? We’ll be taking our deer home tonight.”

Rose could hear brush cracking and limbs breaking as the two men made their way up the bank. Was Mike in a place they couldn’t see him? She thought of his nimble body and smiled. He was probably up a tree, staring down at the men, trying to figure out how to get rid of them.

Suddenly, the air was rent with heavy cursing. Then the older voice spoke. “That ain’t no deer, you fool. That’s a man. You done killed a man!”

Rose gasped, staring at Moses in horror. His eyes were wide as he grabbed her arm, warning her to be quiet.

“Well, how’d I know it was a man up here?” The voice grew suddenly suspicious. “What was he doing up here in the woods, anyhow?” The reality of what he had done seemed to have sobered him up somewhat. “He must not have been doing something right if he was up here hiding in the woods.”

“Well, what are we going to do with him?”

Books 1 & 2 of The Bregdan Chronicles 765

“I say we leave him right here. Ain’t nobody gonna find him.”

“We can’t just leave him here to rot,” the other voice said with disgust. There was a brief silence before he continued. “I reckon we can put him in the river. That way no one will connect him with us.”

The killer had obvious relief in his voice. “That’s a great idea.”

There was another brief silence and then the other man spoke again. “What’s this here in his pockets? Some kind of papers...” Silence and then, “These here be slave certificates. Says his name is John Salem. These here papers be for a couple of slaves named Rose and Moses.”

The killer laughed again. “Well, dead men can’t tell no tales. I say his papers go down the river with him.”

The other voice spoke up. “These here papers are for slaves. You think they’re around here somewhere? If they are, they know we killed him.” There was a short silence.

“Maybe we ought to look through them woods.”

The killer protested immediately. “You crazy? They’re ain’t no slaves around here. If there were, they’ve probably already run far away. We wouldn’t never find them.” His voice rose to a whine. “I say we get rid of the body. Let imaginary slaves take care of themselves.”

“I reckon you’re right. We’ve got to get a deer, not hunt slaves.”

There was another silence and then a loud splash.

“Goodbye, Mr. John Salem,” a voice called. “Too bad we can’t take you home to put in our smoke shed.”

Both men laughed, and moments later, their voices faded from hearing.

Rose allowed the tears to come then. She turned to Moses for comfort, but he was already up and running.

She wanted to call to stop him but was afraid the two men were still close enough to hear her voice. She leapt to her feet and followed.

She found him standing on the river bank, scanning the water. She looked fearfully down the bank, praying the two men would not retrace their steps. “Moses! What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Mike O’ Leary was a good man. The least we can do is give him a proper burial.”

Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond 766

Rose nodded, but their scanning of the water revealed nothing. The two men must have thrown Mike’s light body into the current. He hadn’t been dead long enough for his body to float, and neither one of them knew how to swim. Finally, they had to admit defeat. Heavyhearted, they climbed back up the bank and took their hiding place again.

The sun was now high, but a thin layer of clouds covered the clear blue sky. The already cool day was getting colder. Rose shivered, partly from the shock of what had happened and partly from the cold. Without saying anything, Moses turned and wrapped his arms around her. They sat that way for a long time, each dealing with the new reality of their situation. They were in the middle of nowhere, with no guide, no boat to take them across the river, and very little food.

Moses was the first to speak. “Looks like we have an obstacle to overcome.”

His strong voice released the dam holding back Rose’s emotions. Sobs racked her body as Moses continued to hold her close, stroking her head gently. She cried for Mike O’Leary, and for the family he had told them about who would never see him again. She cried to release the fear that had gripped her as they had listened to the shot that killed him. After a long while, she grew quiet again.

“What are we going to do, Moses?” She wiped at her tears and stared up into his face.

He looked thoughtful for a long moment. “We’re going to find us a boat,” he said finally.

Rose stared at him. “How are we going to do that?”

Moses shrugged. “We’re going to walk until we find us a boat. I don’t know what else to do,” he admitted. “We can’t swim across that river. As wide as it is here, there’s no telling how far we’ll have to go before we find a place narrow enough to cross. And we’re not going back,” he said with firm resolve. “That leaves us only one thing.

We’ve got to find a boat.”

Rose nodded. She had never seen such a vulnerable look in his eyes, and she knew he needed her support.

“We should wait till it’s dark,” she said.

Books 1 & 2 of The Bregdan Chronicles 767

Moses gazed at her tenderly. “I love you, Rose girl.”

Once more he wrapped her in a warm embrace.

They fell asleep that way. When they awakened, the sun was dipping low on the horizon. They quickly ate the last bit of food they had, then put on their coats and began to move through the woods. This way they could keep the river in sight and stay invisible to seeing eyes.

When it was too dark to see their way through the woods anymore, they moved down onto the narrow trail.

“What if those two men come back this way?” Rose asked nervously.

“They won’t,” Moses said. “They went back home by some road. They won’t be in any hurry to come down on this part of the trail any time soon.”

Rose took comfort from his words and continued to press on, trying to ignore the pangs of hunger. She lost track of the number of times she stumbled over some unseen root or rock in the trail. The moon, which had been visible at first, was now hidden behind a thickening layer of clouds. A stiff wind had sprung up, causing the cold air to infiltrate even their heavy coats. Her feet were wet from plodding along the shoreline and now were beginning to feel numb. Rose gathered her coat even closer around her, bit her lip, and continued on.

“You all right, Rose?” Moses’ voice was deep with concern.

“I’m fine, Moses. I’m sure we will find a boat soon.”

What difference did it make that he knew she was lying?

He needed all the support he could get. She was determined not to become a burden.

They plodded along all night, not finding anything.

Rose was becoming weak from hunger and exhaustion when Moses gave a low, triumphant cry.

“A boat!” Immediately, Moses pulled Rose back into the bushes.

“What are you doing?” she whispered, pushing back the branches grabbing at her face.

“If there’s a boat, that means there are people somewhere around.” Moses continued to peer through the bushes. “It’s not very big, but I think it will do the job.

Now we only have to hope it’s here tonight when we need it.”

Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond 768

Rose stared at him in the darkness. “Tonight? What do you mean tonight?”

Moses’ voice was patient. “We’re going to have to cross at night. Just like we were supposed to do. People will see us if we cross during the day.”

“What are we going to do all day?” Rose hated the frightened sound in her voice but she was close to the limits of her endurance.

“We’re going to hide,” came his firm, quick reply. “The sun is going to be coming up soon.”

Rose glanced at the horizon and was stunned to see it beginning to turn light. They had walked all night long.

Her body and her gnawing hunger verified the fact.

They moved a hundred feet back into the woods until they found a sunken area surrounded by brush that would provide them protection from the wind and from prying eyes. Rose sank down gratefully.

Moses touched her shoulder. “I’ll be back soon. I’m going to get some food.”

Rose looked at the determined set of his jaw and knew there was no stopping him. She swallowed her fears. “Be careful,” she whispered.

Moses nodded, kissed her briefly, and began to move away. “Stay right here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Rose watched from her hiding place as the sun brightened the still cloud-laden sky. She tried to ignore the cold that had seeped into every pore of her body. She had known escaping could be difficult.

Freedom!

Just thinking about it gave new strength to her heart.

All of this was worth it. It would all be over someday, and when it was, she would be living a new life of freedom.

It seemed like eternity before she heard footsteps.

Shrinking back into the brush, she made not a single sound until she saw Moses searching for where he had left her.

“I’m right here,” she whispered, stepping out into the open.

Moses smiled brightly, acting as if the labors of the night before had not even affected him. He took her hand

Books 1 & 2 of The Bregdan Chronicles 769

and pulled her back into their hiding place. “Have a seat, wife. Breakfast is served.”

Rose sat and stared at him with love and gratitude. He returned her look and reached into his deep pockets.

Rose gaped as he laid the food on the rock in front of her.

There was a small loaf of bread, a thick slab of cheese, and two apples. In addition, he pulled out several carrots and two small tomatoes. “Where in the world...”

“You don’t want to know,” Moses said with a smile.

The mere idea of the danger he must have put himself in to get this food made her shudder. “You’re right,” she murmured. Then she reached for the food.

It had been dark for quite a while before Moses ventured back out into the open. Rose waited for him impatiently. She was ready to resume their journey. The food and a good day’s sleep had renewed her strength and revived her spirits. When Moses reappeared with a smile on his face, she rose and followed him. The boat was right where they had seen it last night. No one had been near it. The sky had still been a threatening gray when the sun went down, but at least there was no stiff wind blowing.

Moses led the way onto the shore, looking carefully in every direction. When he was satisfied no one was around, he signaled for Rose to join him.

Rose moved quickly and settled herself in the front of the boat, trying to control the fear rolling in her stomach as she looked into the black emptiness of the water that stretched before her.

Moses stepped in behind her and then settled himself at the oars. “I haven’t done a lot of this, but I think it won’t be too hard to handle.”

Rose merely nodded. “I trust you,” she said lovingly.

She was determined to be brave. At his signal, she reached forward and undid the thick rope holding the boat.

Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond 770

Rose looked back as the shoreline disappeared. Soon all she could see anywhere was water. She sat as still as she could as Moses pulled the oars steadily.

“How in the world can you see where you’re going?”

she finally asked.

“Can’t. But I know it’s taking us farther away from the South. That’s good enough for me.”

Suddenly, the wind that had died down picked back up. Moses worked harder, grunting with each stroke as the water kicked up whitecaps around them. The boat bobbed like a cork. Rose took deep breaths to calm herself. Then, to make matters worse, the clouds that had threatened all day, delivered on their promise. The drops started out slowly but were soon a steady downpour.

Soaked through to the bone, Rose was shivering uncontrollably.

“You all right?” Moses called in between gasps of air.

“I’m fine,” Rose called back. To combat her fear, she began to sing the song that had become their beacon of hope.

Swing low, sweet chariot

Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot

Coming for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan and what did I see

Coming for to carry me home

A band of angels coming after me

Coming for to carry me home.

Her voice had started low, but as she sang on to the end, it raised in determined triumph against the elements that were battering them. The rain continued, and the waves battered the sides of their small boat, but her heart was strong and her courage intact.

Once she had finished that song, she launched into another. She knew without asking that her songs gave Moses strength. From one song to the next, she sang without stopping.

You call yourself church-member,

Books 1 & 2 of The Bregdan Chronicles 771

You hold your head so high,

You praise God with your glitt’ring tongue,

But you leave all your heart behind.

O my Lord delivered Daniel,

O Daniel, O Daniel,

O my Lord delivered Daniel,

O why not deliver me too.

Rose lost all track of time as they forged through the water with her singing, and Moses rowing. Suddenly, she gave a sharp cry.

Moses, with his back to her, stopped rowing. “What is it? Is somethin’ wrong?”

Rose shook her head happily but realized he couldn’t see her. “Land! I see land, Moses!”

Moses whipped his head around for a brief look and then bent himself to his task once more. Her announcement seemed to give him added strength, for it was only moments until the small boat scraped against the shore.

Rose stepped out, her trembling limbs barely able to support her. A moment later Moses was standing beside her. They embraced wordlessly. The night was still dark and the rain continued to pelt them, but they had completed the next leg of their journey. Somewhere in the middle of the vast river, Rose had grown up a little bit more. She would no longer ask what they were going to do next, or whether they would make it or not. God had brought them this far. They would continue. One day at a time. One step at a time. What did it matter that they were lost in the middle of nowhere? They were together.

Together, they would make it.

Rose looked up as Moses moved through the woods toward her. “Any luck?” she asked calmly.

Moses nodded, his voice strong in spite of his obvious fatigue. “I found a house.”

Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond 772

Rose watched him, waiting for him to continue. The day was chilly, but the sun had finally dried out her clothes. She had just finished re-braiding and coiling her hair. Her coat, laid out on some rocks, would be dry soon.

Moses had shucked his coat before going on his exploration trip. It would soon be dry as well.

Moses plopped down on the ground beside her. “I watched the people for a while. I think we should ask them for help.”

Rose felt a twinge of fear before she remembered her resolve from the night before. “When?” was all she asked.

Moses looked at her carefully. “You doing some changing, Rose girl?”

“I hope so,” Rose replied. “My mama always told me hard times make you grow up. I reckon she was right again. I know I have a lot of growing up I need to do.”

Moses nodded. “I reckon we all do.” He settled down beside her. “The family in the house is black folks.”

Rose looked up with excitement. “That sure is better than charging in on white folks.”

“That’s the way I figured it,” Moses said with a sudden grin. “I’m hungry. I don’t see any need to wait.”

Rose watched as Moses walked steadily up to the door of the little cabin. He had insisted she stay hidden until he knew it was okay, but she stood and walked quickly to join him. He didn’t notice her until he was almost to the door. When he did, he spun around with a protest on his face.

“We’re escaping together . We’re going to do this together, too,” she whispered.

Moses looked at her hard for a moment, then nodded.

With a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked on the graying wooden door.

“Who be there?” came the sharp reply.

Rose held her breath. Would the code of the Underground Railroad work? Or would it be their undoing?

“We are friends,” Moses replied.

The door swung open slowly. A large black man, wrinkled and gray, stepped out into the yard. Carefully

Books 1 & 2 of The Bregdan Chronicles 773

he looked around. Then he looked them over, peering into their eyes. What he saw must have satisfied him.

“Welcome. I am a friend of a friend. You two look mighty done in. Come on in for a bite to eat.”

Storm Clouds Rolling In & On To Richmond 774