The longest road epic jo.., p.23
The Longest Road (Epic Journey Series Book 2), page 23
"You said this was some kind of proposal," said Meade. "You spelled out what I would do. What would your part of the proposal be?"
"Well," John said. "I gave you all the cash I had to pay for our trip. But I was thinking, you mentioned you still had significant space in your hull left to fill. We would be willing to wait a day or so at port, whichever city you pick, to see if you perhaps could find another merchant with cargo they'd like to ship north. That way you wouldn’t just break even but turn a tidy profit."
"And I know the men's morale," Micah said, "be improved even more getting a few days shore leave they didn't expect."
Meade sat back in his chair, a smile crossed his face. "Gentlemen, I accept your proposal. I have made some profitable deals in Norfolk before. I could check some of my old contacts, see what turns up. You go get your boy ready for his mission, Micah. It'll take us most of the morning, if not half the day to get there. But I'll get up and give the order now to set sail for Hampton Roads."
52
2:40 PM, James River
North of Hampton Roads, Virginia
The time had come for Eli to head ashore and begin his perilous mission to rescue Lucas.
Captain Meade had agreed to sail past Hampton Roads, the harbor area near Norfolk, and go north up the James River as far as he could. He did this as a favor to Micah. He should’ve turned the ship south over an hour ago and headed straight into the Norfolk port. But he knew doing so would add at least an extra day to Eli’s journey toward Fredericksburg, all the while traveling through enemy territory, so-to-speak. All of Virginia was still committed to slavery.
More than that, Meade had explained, since the James River was so deep, ocean-going ships could sail right through Hampton Roads and travel up and down the river with relative ease. This resulted in dozens of plantations being established all over the area with docks built right to the river’s edge.
Plantations filled with slaves…and slave hunters.
Presently, Eli was climbing over the rail down a rope ladder to board a shallow rowboat. One of the ship’s crew was already on board. Standing at the rail were Meade, Micah, John and Laura, and Hannah.
“I’m sorry, lad, I couldn’t have brought you further north. But after Burwell Bay the river starts to narrow, and I really need to get settled in at Norfolk before dark.”
"That's fine, Captain," Micah said. "We appreciate you doing this much."
"I definitely appreciate it," Eli said. "Now I figure I might be able to get to our old plantation sometime tomorrow. Only be a day late, instead of two."
"Best I can remember," Meade said, "you go ashore here, it's just woods. Next plantation is maybe a mile north. Should be enough provisions in that sack to hold you over for a few days."
"That's very kind of you, Captain," Laura said.
"I could give him more, but it would just slow him down. Besides, we were talking about the time three years ago when he fled here for New York. He knows how to forage and live off the land."
"That he do," Micah said.
Eli made it into the rowboat, took a seat in the front.
"Thank you so much, Eli," Hannah said. "What you doing for me, something I'll never forget."
"You’re welcome, little sister. I know I couldn't be happy back in New York, knowing we left Lucas stuck on that plantation without any hope. Now there's one favor maybe you could do for me when you get settled in up there."
"Anything, just say it."
"I got this girl in New York, named Bella. She fixes clothes at this shop owned by a big colored woman name Ella Mae. On 7th Avenue, I think. Mr. John could probably show you where that's at."
"What you want me to tell her?" Hannah said.
Eli looked up at everyone staring down. Seemed to get a little embarrassed. "Just tell her what's going on. Why I'm not there with you. But you tell her, I am coming back. Tell her I don't want her seeing anyone else but me. And if that makes her smile, you can also tell her I got something special I wanna talk about when I see her again."
"What if it don't make her smile?" Hannah said, smiling now herself.
"Well then…I don't know. I'm hoping it will. If not, well then…I guess —"
"I'm sure she'll be smiling," Laura said. "Don't think you have to worry about that."
"Okay then. Well, we best be off," he said. "Y'all pray for me. Feel like Daniel heading into the lions’ den."
"We'll be praying, son," Micah said. "Every day. As I recall, that story ended pretty well for Daniel. We'll pray yours will, too."
They all waved goodbye as Eli headed off toward the shore.
53
The rest of the day as well as the day following were spent in Norfolk. When they set sail on the third day, the captain was in good spirits because his hull was brimming with new cargo. Everyone wondered how Eli was making out. By now, he had probably reconnected with Lucas near Fredericksburg. If so, Micah said he'd be traveling mostly by night the rest of the way home.
They would, of course, get to New York long before Eli did. The captain had said if the winds kept blowing as strong as they were, they could make up to a hundred and fifty miles a day. They might actually be sailing into New York harbor three days from now.
On that first sunset back at sea, John and Laura went out to view it on deck. "It really is an amazing sight," she said, "seeing the sunset over the water."
"So, this last part of our journey hasn't been the horror that you feared," John said.
"No, it hasn't. But that's the thing about the sea, isn't it? It could be as majestic and wonderful as it is now for several days in a row. Then all of a sudden, everything changes and it's trying to kill you."
"I know this has been a crazy trip," John said, "but we've had some quieter times aboard this ship since Charleston. Have you given any more thought to the idea of staying in New York. Or do you think you'd rather brave the trip home to San Francisco?"
She shifted her gaze from the sunset to his eyes. "I've actually been thinking about something a lot lately. Really, two things. Even before we left Charleston. But since then, I've thought about them even more."
"What are they?"
"Well, both would definitely involve us staying in New York. But not because I'm afraid that the San Francisco option requires getting back on a ship."
“Then…what?”
“I know you’d have to go to work with your brother and father, if we stayed. So, I wouldn’t want you to take this as me making any demands on you. If you’d rather go back to San Francisco, I’m more than willing to do that now.”
John smiled. “I guess after what we’ve been through, the fears of sea travel don’t seem near as ominous as they did before.”
“That’s partly it,” she said. “But what we’ve been through has definitely affected me. More deeply than I expected. I don’t believe I can simply go back to doing the things I did before. It was pleasant and satisfying, I suppose, on some level. But now…”
“I think I know where this is headed,” John said. “You want your life to count for more.”
“Well, that’s definitely true for one of the two things I want to say. But the first one is…well, it’s just…I don’t want to be so far away from your family. If we don’t have to be. I was thinking about this before we left, but seeing the level of love and sacrifice Micah and Eli went through to get Hannah back, and how happy Sally is going to be when she gets home…it makes me realize how important family is. And we’re getting along with your family again. I’ve actually missed them on this trip.”
“Oddly enough,” John said, “So have I.”
“And when we start having children of our own, I want them to be able to see their grandparents, and uncles and aunts and cousins. Often. Not once every four or five years.”
“Okay, so…what’s the second thing you wanted to say?”
“Well, I can’t ignore how terribly Negroes are being treated in this country. Not anymore. It’s not okay for me to just leave everything in my life in nice little compartments. I want to make a difference somehow.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking when we get home, I want to go down and talk to those folks who work with the Underground Railroad. See if there’s anything I can do to help. If not there, then maybe talk to some abolitionist groups in the city. I’m sure they could use some volunteers.”
John leaned over and kissed her.
“What’s that for?”
“Because you look so beautiful against the backdrop of this setting sun. And because I love who you are on the inside. That this is where your thinking would lead, the conclusions you’d come to, after the harrowing times we’ve just spent together.”
“So, you’d be okay with this? With what I’m thinking?”
“More than okay. If possible, as much as my work will allow, I’d like to join you in this endeavor. We’ll both become abolitionists when we return. We’ll stay in New York, and do whatever we can to fight this terrible injustice.”
Just then, Micah walked up behind them. “Beggin’ your pardon, I was just comin’ to see the sunset myself before it got too late. Couldn’t help overhearin’ what you been saying about helping to fight against the way my people been treated. Just want you to know…whatever else you do from here, I’m sure it’s gonna be a blesssin’. But what you folks already done?” Tears filled his eyes. “I just left my girl, Hannah, taking a nap down below. Sleepin’ like a baby. All safe and sound. She free now. Never gonna be a slave again. And I’m free, because of you two. That’s the God’s-honest truth. And I got faith my boy, Eli, gonna get Lucas free. And somehow they gonna make it back to New York one day soon. And my other girl Sally will be waitin’ there for us. Get to see her sister once more when just a little while ago, we’s all afraid we never gonna see her ever again. And we’ll be a family…all together in the same place.”
He wiped his tears on his sleeve, but they kept coming. “That’s all account of you two, John and Laura. What you already done for me and my family. I won’t ever forget it. I’m tellin’ you. None of us will.”
John and Laura were crying now. They hurried over and gave Micah a big hug. When they finally let go of each other, John said, “Wait a minute…I just realized something. Micah, you called us John and Laura, not Mr. John and Miss Laura.”
Micah smiled. “Yeah, I know you been wantin’ me too for some time. Figured now’s a good a time as any. Because we most definitely friends, and with you folks stayin’ in New York now, looks like the Lord makin’ it so we get to be friends for life.”
54
2 Weeks Later
New York City
Eli and Lucas were weary to the bone.
But they were both as happy as could be. The happiness began on that first night in Fredericksburg when Eli had gotten to the rendezvous point and found Lucas waiting for him there. Of course, Lucas had been disappointed not to see the rest of the family there, especially Hannah. But he was relieved to learn she was at least safe on a ship sailing for New York. He was also disappointed that he wouldn't be making the trip in a carriage but on foot, mostly running through the woods at night. Still, he must've thanked Eli a dozen times in the past two weeks for coming back to get him. And it had given him strong confidence knowing Eli had made the same trip three years prior.
The second wave of happiness washed over the two men the night they had officially crossed the border into Pennsylvania. They were not entirely out of danger, but they were no longer in a slave state, and it was nice to know most of the people they'd see from then on would be sympathetic to the cause.
But the greatest dose of happiness greeted them both this morning when they'd read the sign, "Entering New York City." They'd found a merchant heading into Manhattan with a half-empty wagon, who agreed to give them a lift. Eli had to tell him where Gramercy Park was. He'd said he could get them within a five-minute walk, which was fine with them.
Now that they were getting close, all Eli could think about was seeing Bella again. She was the thing he thought about the most on the last leg of this trip. Lucas couldn't wait to see Hannah, of course. It was great hearing him talk about their future, knowing they could finally have one together. While he'd talked, Eli enjoyed just looking at Lucas' face. He had never seen anything like New York City before. The tall buildings, the crowded streets, the noise, the smells and all the rest that go with being in that remarkable place. Made Eli remember how he'd felt pretty much the same way three years ago, the first time he'd run away to freedom.
The merchant stopped the wagon by a curb near 14th Street and 5th Avenue. "Guess you better get off here. From the directions you gave me, that place you wanna get to shouldn't be too far from here."
Eli and Lucas hopped out of the wagon. "It's not," Eli said. "I know where we are now. Thank you so much for the ride. Wish we had something to give you."
"Happy to do it, young fella. You two have a nice day." He drove the wagon off, heading north.
"I can't believe these houses, Eli. They so big. Some are like the Big House of a plantation, except they all pressed together."
"Wait till you see the Foster place. I think it's the biggest one in all of Gramercy Park. It's just a couple blocks from here. I think that's where Hannah is. I'm their driver. My sister Sally works in the house. We both have nice rooms we stay in above the carriage house. Daddy takes care of the horses for another family a couple blocks away. And John and Laura, the couple I've been telling you about, they live in the big house. So, that's where we're headed."
They crossed an intersection. "Say, Eli. Before we go any further, something I need to ask you about. Been trying to get it out of my mind ever since we started out from Fredericksburg, but it won't let me go. You never gave me any details about this evil man, Clifton. And that man Kitch. I need to know…what they did to my girl, Hannah. I need to know…what kind of shape she's in. Did they —"
"You got nothing to worry about, Lucas. I ain't saying that what you thinking wasn't on their minds. Matter of fact, the night I came there to get her, he was already there, about to have his way." Eli could see the anger rising in Lucas' face. "But nothing happened. I got there in time. Well, something did happen."
"What?"
"I gave that white man a whupping like he'd never had or maybe ever seen."
"You did?" Now a big smile.
"I did. Hit him with a liver shot so hard, doubled him over. Then I kept punching him in the face, over and over. Hannah had to make me stop. Didn't even look like the same man when I got off him. The whole while I was thinking about what he did to you and Hannah."
"What about that fella, Kitch?"
"I didn't see what happened to him. Daddy took care of it. Now you know he ain't one to boast but that Celia, remember I told you about her?" Lucas nodded. "Whatever Daddy did to him, she said he was out cold. I could tell one thing, for sure."
"What's that, Eli?"
"The smile on Celia's face that night…you could tell she was glad both men got what they deserved. And you just know she'd have spread word about the beating they took to every slave on that plantation before lunchtime the next day."
Lucas laughed. 'I know that’s right."
55
It was shortly before lunch.
Sally was out in the kitchen getting things ready. Hannah was probably still in Sally's room, where she had been staying since she'd arrived. John was escorting Laura down the stairway. Mother and Allison were out on the veranda, enjoying the cool weather. Micah was actually in the carriage house. Since they'd arrived home last week, he had agreed to come look in on the horses for them, until Eli returned.
Everyone still held out hope that he would. Return, that is. He and Lucas. Yesterday, John had gone down to speak with the people who worked at the Underground Railroad, to ask if they had heard any word. Any word at all. No one had. John then asked how long did such a trip typically take. They asked how long Eli had been gone. Then said, "That is a little long if they're only coming from Fredericksburg. But not terribly so. There's any number of reasons they could be delayed."
That provided at least a ray of hope.
Just as John and Laura reached the base of the stairs, the doorbell rang. Beryl went to answer it. John and Laura continued toward the veranda, where they intended to eat lunch. Just before leaving the living room, John heard Beryl say, "Why, Master Eli. It is you. I barely recognize you. I do believe everyone in this household has been awaiting your return."
John and Laura stopped, turned and hurried to the door. Beryl stepped out of the way to allow two very tired and rough looking young men through to the foyer. "May I present, Master Eli and his friend, a Mr. Lucas."
"Eli," John and Laura yelled in unison. "You’re home!"
Laura gave no thought to their appearance and gave Eli a hug. She turned to Lucas and extended her hand. "I’d hug you too, but we've never met. I have heard so much about you. Welcome to the Foster home, finally."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"Eli, Lucas, welcome," John said. "We're so glad you finally made it home. Had us a little worried."
"Ran into a few close calls," Eli said. "One at the border of Virginia and the other just before we got into Pennsylvania. Had to spend a few days hiding in the woods till the coast cleared. But we made it."
Just then, Sally came out from the kitchen having heard all the commotion. Tears filled her eyes as soon as she saw the two young men. "I knew you'd get home. I just knew you would." She ran to them, hugged them both and cried some more. After hugging Lucas, she pulled away. "I gotta go get Hannah. She's up in my room. Be right back."
"Please," Lucas said.
She literally ran back toward the kitchen. A back door there led to the carriage house.
