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

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Carrie sat by her window, staring out into the early morning darkness. She hadn’t slept a wink all night.

Tossing and turning in her bed had only exhausted her more and had creased deep wrinkles in the dress she hadn’t bothered taking off. Finally, she had given up the effort and risen to sit by the window, watching as the thick fog settled down to hug the earth. She alternated now between staring at the myriad of twinkling stars above her and the dark border of trees facing her. She was watching the stars for courage and strength, but watching the woods was necessary if she wanted to stay ahead of the enemy.

Her heart had grown heavy with grief during the long night. She grieved the necessity to flee her home, yet it was much more than that. The knowledge that hurt the worst was the stark realization of what her country had come to. Americans forced to flee from those they had once stood side by side with. The dark clouds that had settled over men in power now engulfed the entire country. Very few were able to see beyond their passions or to feel beyond their hatred and anger—to think beyond what was important to them. The clouds of passion had closed off men to themselves and shrouded the best of men’s hearts.

Carrie, during the long reaches of the night, clearly realized it might soon be over. If the Union Army truly was advancing on Richmond, the glorious Confederacy might be breathing its last breath. A country split apart by civil war might be reunited, yet only in a physical sense. Carrie knew that even if the South acquiesced

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defeat to a more powerful military force, the passions that had ignited this war would continue. What would happen with the fury that was raging unchecked? It could not be put in a bottle and corked. It could not be legislated away.

It could not be swept under a rug.

Carrie sighed deeply and stood to take a final look around her room. The sun would be coming up soon. She had promised Sam she would leave then. The glow of the moon dipping low on the horizon was all that illuminated her room, but it was enough. Her dear bed, a gift from her loving father. The dresser with her mother’s silver brush set arranged perfectly. The bookcase holding her medical texts. The vanity whose drawers held the letters from Aunt Abby.

There was so much Carrie wanted to take with her. In the end, she had chosen to leave it all behind. She had hidden some of her father’s valuable papers, but that was all. It seemed disloyal to all that held her heart to choose which of these things were most precious. None of it would ever be able to be replaced if it was lost. Its physical counterpart might be found, but the memories that made it special would no longer be there. Yet, it was more than even that. To take things with her meant she was leaving with the idea she might not be able to return. She was simply unwilling to acknowledge that. To do so would be to give up hope.

Carrie had also acknowledged the stirrings of excitement in her heart. Yes, she grieved leaving the plantation, but leaving also meant it could now be her time to be in Richmond—to see what could become of her dream of being a doctor. She had done all she could to fulfill her responsibilities on the plantation. Was it really coming to a close, or was it all a false scare? Would it be safe to return to the plantation in a few days? Maybe the South had won the battle she had heard and she could return to raise food.

Finally, Carrie turned to the mirror. It, of all her belongings, would have been the one thing she would have chosen to take. Of course it was impossible. It would take two strong men even to move it. She walked over to stare into it. More than ever, she needed the courage and

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strength it represented. There was just enough light to send her reflection wavering back to her. She frowned when she saw her wide eyes and pinched face.

She sank down on the chair in front of it, cupped her head in her hand, and tried once more to lose herself in its depths. Did it have any secrets to tell her before she had to walk away, possibly never to see into it again? She knew she should be leaving, but she couldn’t tear herself away.

“Miss Carrie...” Sam added a soft knock to the calling of her name. “It be time for us to be goin’.”

Carrie nodded but didn’t move. “In a minute, Sam,”

she called softly.

Sam stood silently by her door for several minutes and then moved away. She could imagine the impatient look on his face. She knew she needed to go, yet the mirror seemed to be holding her. Was it her imagination, or was it calling to her? She stared into its depths until she felt as if her eyes were going to cross. Finally, in frustration, she pushed away from it. She had spent her whole life trying to understand its secrets. Maybe it wasn’t possible.

Maybe that was its greatest secret—the fact that there was no secret. It was really only a beautiful mirror.

Carrie immediately regretted her thoughts. She gazed once more into its depths. “Keep your secrets. Maybe one day I will understand,” she said softly.

She turned and grabbed the bag on her bed. Her packing job had been hasty. Thankfully, she had plenty of clothes at her father’s house. She looked around once more, took a deep breath, and reached for the door knob.

A sudden clatter of heavy boots caused her to freeze, her heart racing. Was she too late? She flew to her window and peered around the curtains. Her heart sank at the sight of four Union soldiers mounting the steps.

She looked around wildly, but she knew the answer already. There was no escape. The only way out of the house was through the ground level.

“Open up in there!” a voice shouted, as a steady banging began on the front door.

Carrie quickly calculated the distance from her window to the tree outside, but she discarded the idea.

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Even if she made the jump, which was doubtful, there would be no way to get past the soldiers.

“Open the door or we’ll bust it down!” came another shouted command.

Carrie could hear Sam’s measured footsteps across the floor. She could imagine the fear he was feeling. Not for himself, but for her. She was sure he was berating himself for not getting her away sooner. Carrie groaned as she heard the door slam open.

“Can I help you soldier boys with something?” she heard Sam ask calmly.

“You bet you can, old man,” a new voice said sternly.

“We’re looking for Miss Carrie Cromwell.”

Carrie’s heart sank further. How had they known she was still here? She was sure Sam had hoped to distract them and give them what they wanted so they would leave. But they were here for her!

Sam’s voice was still calm. “Ain’t nobody on this here plantation but slaves. Miss Carrie done left some days ago. Same as everyone else ‘round here.”

“You’re lying,” a voice said. “Where is Miss Cromwell?”

Sam continued on calmly. “Like I said, Miss Cromwell ain’t here.”

“Get out of my way, old man. We’ll find her ourselves.”

Carrie imagined Sam pulling himself up erectly. “I don’t reckon you boys got any reason to be in this house.”

“Look, old man, I ain’t got nothing against you, but I don’t know why in the world you want to protect someone who chained you in slavery. Not that it matters. I just want you out of my way.”

“I be right sorry—” Sam began again. He never finished his words.

Tears rolled down Carrie’s face as she heard Sam moan and drop to the floor below with a thud. That’s when she began to move toward the door. She could not allow her friends to be hurt in her defense.

A shrill voice below stopped her. “What are you doing picking on an old man for? Didn’t he tell you Miss Cromwell isn’t here?” Opal’s voice was loud and strident.

“You ain’t got no business in this house.”

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Carrie groaned again as she imagined Opal receiving the same treatment as Sam. With a determined tilt to her chin, she reached for the door. She was going to put a stop to this.

She had barely laid her hand on the doorknob when she felt herself grabbed from behind. She opened her mouth to scream, but a hand clapped across it and muffled her scream to a low moan.

“Shh, Carrie. We have to get out of here.”

Carrie gasped and spun, her eyes bugging out of her face. “Moses?” she whispered. She could think of nothing else to say. Stunned, she wondered how he had suddenly appeared behind her. Her eyes traveled over his shoulder to a gaping hole in the wall.

A clatter of boots on the stairs broke into her shocked senses. Moses grabbed her hand and pulled her quickly toward the hole in her wall. Then they were inside. Moses reached out and pulled a handle. Instantly, they were shrouded in darkness. Carrie remained frozen beside him. They listened as footsteps pounded along the corridor of the second story. Doors were flung open one by one.

“This is the last room, Captain. I reckon we’re going to find our little lady cowering in here. Too bad we had to be a little rough on that other woman to get here.”

Carrie gasped as she wondered if Opal was all right.

Moses squeezed her hand in warning.

She heard the door to her room fling open. The stout wood crashed against the wall and heavy footsteps approached within feet of where they were standing, barely breathing. If the situation had not been so serious, Carrie might have smiled at the imagined looks of frustration on their faces.

There was a brief silence and then, “Captain! She isn’t in here.”

Carrie could hear another set of footsteps approaching. “Are you sure? Look everywhere. That old man was protecting someone. She has to be here.”

Carrie continued to hold her breath as her wardrobe was flung open. She could hear clothes being ripped from hangers and hooks. She heard someone drop to the floor,

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evidently looking under the bed. There was a long silence and then a heavy stream of curses filled the air.

“How in the world could she have known we were coming?” one man asked.

Another long silence was his only answer.

A commanding voice broke the silence. “I want this house completely searched. The lady herself is not so important. What I want to know is how she found out we were coming. That I would like very much to know.” He paused. “Once we have found her, we will spread out and look for food. Empty the root cellar, the smoke houses, everything! When those are clean, we’ll take what we can of the crops. There won’t be a lot, but there may be some early crops that are producing. We can bring back help with wagons to get more.”

Carrie stiffened in protest, but Moses pressed her shoulder in warning. She knew any noise would be fatal.

There was a heavy clomp as the soldiers moved out of the room.

When they were all gone, Carrie turned to Moses. Now that they were alone, questions screamed through her mind, but again he pressed her shoulder.

“That girl didn’t disappear into thin air,” a heavy voice growled.

Carrie froze as she realized not all of the soldiers were gone.

“I aim to find her,” the voice continued. “Adams sure got my appetite up for some real loving. I don’t care what the captain said. There ain’t no reason we can’t have a little fun in the middle of all this.”

“I don’t think the captain will be any too happy if you try anything,” another voice warned.

“To blazes with him! I almost got killed a couple of days ago when we had to fight them Rebels. If I’m gonna die any day, I might as well die with some loving. Adams seemed pretty sure this little lady would make us a good lover. I aim to find out!”

Carrie cringed against Moses as she felt his muscles tighten in fury.

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The other voice continued thoughtfully. “How do you figure that lady found out we were coming? It doesn’t seem possible.”

There was a brief silence, and then the voice Carrie had quickly learned to fear broke it. “I been doing me some thinking. Ain’t Moses a spy for us because he knows this area so well?”

“I reckon.”

“Did you notice how he took us to all the other plantations and farms but steered us away from this one?

This looks to be a right big place. He must have known about it.”

The other voice was a little more thoughtful. “What are you driving at, Clyde?”

The answer was quick and hard. “I think our spy might have come from this plantation. Maybe he has a little more loyalty to his Rebel owners than he’s been letting on. We ain’t seen him since last night. Maybe he took off to come warn her.”

“But he ain’t in this house,” the other voice protested,

“and that old man downstairs wouldn’t have made us rough him up if he weren’t protecting somebody.”

“I thought about that, too. Still, there is something more to this than we can see. I aim to figure out what it is. I aim to ask that old man some questions.” With that final statement, there was a sound of clomping boots and then silence.

Only then did Moses lean over to whisper in her ear.

“Don’t say a word. Just follow me.”

Carrie heard a scrape and then a match flared, its brightness almost blinding her after the pitch black darkness. She watched, amazed, as Moses lit a candle and held it high. She stared around her. They were in a tunnel. Now that her fear was beginning to abate, she was consumed with curiosity. The hole in the wall had appeared behind her mirror. She had a thousand questions, but they would have to wait. Moses was making his way slowly down the passageway, and she had no choice but to follow him.

The candle cast flickering shadows against the solid brick walls of the tunnel. They went about thirty feet straight ahead until they reached a solidly built wooden

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staircase. They descended, and Carrie knew they must be on the first floor of the house. She could hear yelling and talking as the men searched. As they moved along quietly, they came even with what must be her father’s library.

Moses stopped abruptly when he heard the captain’s voice, but he didn’t blow out the candle. Carrie knew he was afraid their footsteps would be detected, though she was sure the solid brick flooring was absorbing any sound. Her fascination with the surprise tunnel was so complete she almost missed what the captain said.

“The girl doesn’t seem to be here, but I have a feeling she hasn’t gone far. I want you to put one of the men on watch for her, and the rest of you can gather food. We’ve wasted enough time here.”

“Yes, sir!”

The next sound they heard was disappearing footsteps. Moses let his breath out, and they moved on until they came to another set of stairs and descended into a lower part of the tunnel. Carrie knew they must be parallel to the basement. The air was heavier and carried a lot more moisture. She reached out to touch Moses, but he shook his head and continued on. She knew he was not willing to talk until they were farther from the house.

Just then he stopped and held up his hand. Without saying anything, he pointed to the outline of a door in the wall. Carrie leaned forward to gaze at the barely visible door, its looped handle resting almost solid against the bricks. It must lead into a part of the basement. She tried to ascertain where they were. The closest she could figure, they were almost directly under the kitchen.

Suddenly, she remembered the wall of shelves holding all the herbs she had bottled. Was there a door hidden in those shelves? They had been there for as long as she could remember.

Her amazement grew as they continued along. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined her house held such a secret. How had Moses known about it? That intrigued her almost more than the tunnel.

They made several more turns before Moses finally came to a stop. I think it’s okay to talk now.”

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Carrie could do no more than stare at him. The reality of the situation hit her, and tears flooded her eyes. When Moses opened his arms, she walked into them. A moment later, sniffing back her tears, she stepped away. She wouldn’t waste their precious time crying. She took a deep breath and looked up at him. “You know I have a thousand questions. Why don’t you start talking?”

Moses nodded. “I will, but let’s get out of this tunnel.

I’m not sure how long my candle is going to last. We don’t want to be stuck in the dark.”

Carrie nodded. She gazed around her as they walked.

The tunnel was circular and tall enough for even Moses to walk straight. Who had built this thing? How long had it been here? Why was it here?

Her mind flashed back to the house. How were Sam and Opal? What about the children? All she could do was pray the Union soldiers wouldn’t hurt them. She hoped Sam was right that they didn’t have a fight with the slaves. Other concerns crowded in, though. What would the slaves do if they had no food? How would they survive with her not there to run things? Impatiently, she shoved the thoughts from her mind. There was nothing she could do about them now.

They broke out of the tunnel, and Carrie stared at the gentle lapping swells of the James River just feet from where she stood. Moses waved her over to sit on a rock right next to the entrance. There was no chance anyone would sneak up on them. The entrance commanded a view of the river bank a hundred feet or more in either direction. The entrance itself was well concealed with a heavy growth of brush.

Carrie gazed at Moses. She wasn’t sure which question to ask first. “I got your letter from Aunt Abby. I’m so glad you made it safely.”

Moses nodded. “I could take all morning to tell you about that trip. I reckon it will have to wait for another time.”

Carrie couldn’t miss the anxious look on Moses’ face.

She knew it had to be more than worry for her safety. She remembered the last conversation she had heard between the soldiers in her bedroom. The one called Clyde, he’d

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talked about Moses. She’s almost forgotten it in her amazement over the tunnel. “You’re a Union spy?”

Moses nodded. “I told you I would find a way to help the Union.” He answered Carrie’s next question before she asked it. “Rose is doing fine. She’s in school and helping Aunt Abby around the house.”

Carrie was glad to know her friend was okay, but her mind quickly moved on. “If you don’t reconnect with the rest of the men soon, you will be in danger.”

Moses nodded again. “It’s not me I’m so worried about.

I can figure out a story to keep them at least guessing.

It’s Sam and the rest I’m worried about. That man Clyde can cause a lot of trouble.” He shook his head. “First we got to get you out of here safely, though.”

Carrie had to know one thing. “How in the world did you know about the tunnel, Moses?”

Moses shrugged. “I was listening when I shouldn’t have been listening,” he said with a small smile. “I’ve found out it can come in handy sometimes. Your father took Robert up to your bedroom one day when your mama was real sick. I was taking up a bucket of ice to you. I wasn’t even sure myself why I snuck down that day to listen to them. I knew he would beat me within an inch of my life if he found me, but for some reason I had to go.” His heavy brow creased. “I heard your father tell Robert the mirror was the entrance to a tunnel that ran all the way to the river. That your great-granddaddy had put it in to be ready for Indian attacks.”

“But why didn’t Father ever tell me?” Carrie cried.

Moses shrugged. “I reckon you’ll have to ask him that.

Anyway, I heard a scraping noise and knew the entrance must be opening. Then I heard your father say sometimes the handle sticks on the outside.”

“There’s a handle on my mirror?” Carrie asked in amazement.

“Evidently. Anyway, next he said the handle on the inside always worked.”

“But why did he tell Robert?”

“Because he knows Robert loves you. He figured he would be the one to take care of you if he couldn’t,” Moses said.

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Carrie’s eyes filled with tears. How wonderful that would be. Then she shook her head. Dreaming was useless. Especially now.

Moses continued on. “I was hoping to get to you last night.” Briefly, he explained his floundering in the woods.

“When I realized I wasn’t going to make it on time to get you out through the house, everything your daddy said came pouring back.”

Carrie looked around where they were sitting. “How in the world did you know how to find the entrance?”

“I didn’t,” Moses said with a grin. “All I knew was that it broke out onto the river.”

“But Moses,” Carrie protested “the river bank goes a long way. How in the world did you find it?” She looked back over her shoulder and saw absolutely no evidence of a tunnel entrance. She jumped up and walked over for a closer look. If you looked closely you could see a slight break in the brush. She pushed it aside and could barely see the outline of a wooden door. She shook her head in amazement. “How—”

Moses’ voice sounded over her shoulder. “Let’s say I agree with Sarah about the power of prayer. I ain’t never prayed so hard in all my life. I was walking along, knowing that with every second that passed you were in more and more danger. All of a sudden, it was like that pile of brush there was calling my name. I didn’t even ask questions for once. I just walked over and there it was.”

Carrie stared up at him. She didn’t know what to say.

At some point all of this would sink it, but right now it was hard to believe she wasn’t living a dream. A single gunshot in the distance jerked her back to hard reality.

“Sam! Opal...” she breathed. She squared her shoulders.

“I can’t leave them, Moses. I have to go back.”

Moses took her by the shoulders and swung her around to face him. “You’re not doing any such thing, Carrie Cromwell. I don’t reckon God showed me that tunnel to make sure you were free, only to have you turn around and walk right back into the middle of trouble.”

His voice was stern.

Carrie gazed at him. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew he was right. Her eyes filled with tears. “What if they hurt them?”

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Moses shook his head. “I don’t think they’ll hurt anybody. They might scare them, but it wouldn’t do them any good to hurt them. They’ll probably need their help getting all the food.”

Carrie groaned again. “How in the world are they going to survive when the soldiers leave and all the food is gone?”

“They’ll manage,” Moses said. “And if I know the captain, he won’t take it all. He’s a good man. Hates slavery. He’s not going to leave them to starve. They’ll plant again, Carrie. They’ll be fine.”

Carrie wasn’t sure she believed him, but believe it or not, she was forced to accept she could not do anything to help them right now. “What next?” she finally asked with a small smile.

“We’ve got to get you to Richmond. How is the question.”

Carrie stared out over the water. “I probably wouldn’t make it on foot. It sounds like there are a lot of troops in the area.”

Moses nodded. “We can walk back together to find my horse, but I’m not at all certain she is still there.” His voice was troubled.

Carrie thought hard. “They will take all our horses, won’t they?” She could hardly bear to think of Granite in Union hands.

Moses nodded. “Most likely,” he said regretfully.

“Today?”

Moses looked thoughtful. “Probably not today. They are more interested in food. They’ll bring men back to gather the food, and then they’ll probably help themselves to the animals. Most of the other plantations had turned them loose. We found them wandering in the woods.”

“Everyone else is gone?”

“Sure looks like it.”

Carrie shook her head. “Why didn’t Father let me know?” She pushed such futile thoughts out of her mind.

She must deal with the present. She was quiet for several minutes as she thought. Now that some of the terror had passed, she was able to think more clearly. Obviously

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God wanted her out of here, or he wouldn’t have allowed Moses to find the tunnel. She just had to figure out what came next.

“You think this tunnel leads to the barn?” she asked.

“I wondered the same thing. I don’t know for sure, but it would make sense. Animals were just as important then as they are now.” He paused. “Why?”

“Granite is in the barn. With any luck they won’t let him out. It’s obvious how valuable he is.” The plan took shape rapidly as she talked. “I’m going to wait here until it’s dark. Then I’m going to figure out a way to get to the barn. When I do, Granite and I are going to clear out of here.”

“You’re going to ride right past Union soldiers?” Moses demanded. “Are you crazy?”

Carrie shrugged, her courage returning. “I know parts of this plantation no one else does. With any luck I’ll make it.”

“And if you don’t?”

Carrie smiled up at Moses’ tense face. “What if you hadn’t been able to find the tunnel?”

“But I did.”

“Exactly. But not because of anything you did. God showed you that tunnel. I guess he can help me get out of here, too.” Her voice and mind were calm now.

“What if it doesn’t work?” Moses protested.

“You got any better ideas?” Carrie asked.

Moses shook his head. “Let’s go look for that tunnel to the stables.” He turned to head back inside.

Carrie reached out her hand and stopped him. “I’ll find it. You have to get back.”

Moses’ eyes flashed. “I’m not going to do any such thing. I aim to stay with you until I know you’re safe.”

Carrie’s voice was firm. “That’s ridiculous, Moses, and you know it. You’ve done all you can for me now.” She took his rough hand and smiled up at him. “You risked your life for me. Thank you,” she said softly.

“It was the least I could do,” Moses growled.

“So now we’re even,” Carrie said. “If you don’t get back to those soldiers, everything you have worked for is going to be lost. Sitting with me all day, holding my hand, is not going to change whether I make it or not.” She made

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her voice stern, even though her own doubts had begun to crowd out some of her confidence.

Moses sighed. “There is a stack of candles inside the door. Make sure you take plenty with you.”

“I will,” Carrie promised. She looked up at him intently. “When you get back north, tell Rose I love her and miss her. Aunt Abby, too. Tell them I believe we will be together when this horrible war is over.” She paused.

“I would like to think I can come back to the plantation, but my heart is saying my job here is done for now. I have a feeling I will be in Richmond for the rest of the war with my father.”

Moses looked troubled. “That may not be for long, Carrie.” He filled her in on the actions of McClellan’s army. “Richmond is their next target.”

Carrie nodded. “I’ll face that when I have to,” she said firmly. “First, I have to get there.” She stretched up and kissed Moses on his strong cheek. “I love you, Moses.

Thank you for everything.” She stepped back. “You have to go,” she said urgently.

Moses looked down at her for several long moments and pulled her close in a warm embrace. “Be careful, Carrie,” he said in a broken whisper. Then he turned and began to run along the river bank.

Carrie watched him until he was out of sight. She wiped at the tears rolling down her face, then turned and disappeared into the tunnel.

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