Ann Fights for Freedom

by Nikki Shannon Smith

  The wife finished her dinner and then worked on Mama’s feet. Elizabeth ate more grits from the older woman’s fingers. Paul finished his food and laid his head in Mama’s lap. Ann was proud she’d done the right thing by running to the farm.

  David waited for a quiet to settle over the cabin, then he said, “The next station ain’t too far from here. I’ll tell you the way.”

  Ann couldn’t believe her luck. None of the slaves at her farm knew where the stations were. She wanted to ask David how he knew, but she didn’t. She paid attention to every detail and by the time they left the cabin, she knew exactly where to go.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Eastern Maryland, further north along the Choptank River

  Tuesday, November 21, 1854

  Late evening

  Ann thanked the three people for their help. Mama had decided to leave the shoes behind and wore fresh wraps around her feet. She had a bundle full of food for them to eat, and baby Elizabeth was sleeping with her mouth open.

  Without a word, Mama fell to the back and let Ann lead the way. Ann led her family to the woods beyond the farm. It was too cloudy to see the North Star, so Ann followed David’s advice. He had told her moss only grew on the north side of the trees and that could help her stay on track.

  Halfway through the night, Paul started complaining. “Slow down,” he said.

  Ann glared at him. “Do you want to make it to the station before light?”

  Paul pouted, but he didn’t complain again, and they kept a steady pace. Since they’d just eaten a good meal, they didn’t even stop to eat. Finally they came to a white house with a candle burning in one window. It was just like David had said.

  Ann thought about what had happened at the last house that was supposed to be a station. That mistake may have cost Daddy his life. She stood and looked at the house for quite some time. She was losing her nerve.

  “Are we going in?” asked Paul. He had the loudest whisper Ann had ever heard.

  “Shhh,” said Mama. Her face was full of doubt.

  Finally Ann knew she would have to move forward, even though she was uncertain. She took a deep breath and headed to the door with her family behind her. She knocked three times, just like David had told her to.

  A woman’s voice said, “Who’s there?”

  Ann used the code David had given her. “A friend with friends,” she said.

  The door opened, and a pale woman ushered them in. A pale man sat in a chair near the fire. He stood up and came to introduce himself.

  “I’m Donovan,” he said. “This is my wife, Sally.”

  Sally said, “Please, sit and rest over there.” She pointed to the chairs near the fire.

  Ann had never been inside a white person’s house. She’d never had white people treat her like this. She wanted to trust them, but she had no reason to. She smiled politely and sat down. But she positioned herself so that if they had to run, she could get her family out quickly.

  Donovan sat down with them, and Sally disappeared through a door to the left of the fire. Before long she returned and led them through the same door. Inside was a real bed covered with a nice warm blanket. Ann thought it must be where Sally and Donovan slept.

  Sally had water ready for them to wash up and fresh clothes for them to wear. The clothes were much nicer than anything Ann’s family had ever owned, and they fit.

  After they changed, Sally gave them warm soup and fresh bread to eat. The bread was so good Ann wanted more, but she was afraid to ask.

  “First, you’ll rest,” said Donovan. “Then I’ll put you in the wagon and take you to the next station.”

  “How long until we’re in the North?” Mama asked Donovan.

  “You should cross the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania in two days,” said Donovan.

  Ann didn’t understand what any of this meant. “Is Pennsylvania the North?” she asked.

  Donovan nodded. “It is,” he said. “You will find many people like yourselves there.”

  After they finished eating, Sally led them to the barn. At the far end there was an area with a large amount of straw.

  “You will rest here,” said Sally. “Donovan will come for you at dawn.”

  “We’re traveling during the day?” asked Ann. She didn’t think that was a good idea. Daddy had warned her against it.

  “Yes,” said Sally. “But don’t worry. Donovan will keep you safe.”

  Mama said, “Miss Sally, thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

  Sally smiled, but she had a sad look in her eyes. “It is the right thing to do. No one should be a slave,” she said. “You must stay quiet now.”

  * * *

  Eastern Maryland, where the Choptank River splits

  Wednesday, November 22, 1854

  Sunrise

  The next morning, Donovan helped them into a wagon. He carefully arranged potatoes all around them, even on top. Then he covered them and the potatoes with a big cloth. A small amount of light filtered through, and Ann focused on the faces of her family. It helped keep her calm.

  They bumped along in the back of the wagon all day. Ann wished she could see where they were going, but she knew better than to take a peek.

  Later in the day, the wagon slowed down. Then it came to a complete stop. Ann hoped that meant they were at the station.

  Suddenly a deep voice said, “We’re looking for some runaways.”

  Pattyrollers, thought Ann. They were not at the next station yet.

  She heard Donovan say, “I haven’t seen anyone running.”

  “It’s a family,” said the deep voice. “A mother, a father, and three kids. One is a baby.”

  Ann’s heart thudded in her chest. People were searching for them, but they didn’t know Daddy wasn’t with them. Paul’s eyes were wide, and Ann could tell he was about to say something. She put her hand over his mouth.

  “I haven’t seen them,” said Donovan.

  It was hard for Ann to believe that Donovan was telling a lie to keep them safe. Daddy was right about good and bad coming in all colors. Donovan was putting himself in danger for them.

  “What’s in the wagon today?” asked the man.

  “Potatoes,” said Donovan.

  Ann hoped the man would believe Donovan. They were so close to the North. They couldn’t get caught now.

  “Mind if I take a look?” asked the voice.

  At that moment, Ann spotted a spider! It was a large brown spider, almost the color of the potatoes. It crawled toward her face. She looked at Mama and tried to get her to notice the spider, but Mama was too busy watching the baby.

  A scream was building in Ann’s throat. The spider was getting closer. In a minute, it would be on her face. A squeak so quiet you’d have to be lying next to her to hear it escaped from Ann.

  Donovan said, “Sure, you can take a look.”

  The spider inched closer. Ann heard the pattyroller’s footsteps walking around to the back of the wagon. She also heard another wagon approaching.

  The pattyroller lifted a small corner of the cloth that hid them. It let in just enough light for Ann to see the spider’s eyes. The spider froze in the light. Ann and the spider stared at each other as the cloth rose higher.

  Be brave, Ann said to herself over and over again. Be brave.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Northern Maryland, near the Maryland/Delaware border

  Wednesday, November 22, 1854

  Midday

  Ann held her breath and prayed the spider would turn around and go the other way. She still had one hand over Paul’s mouth. The other hand was buried under the potatoes. If she uncovered Paul’s mouth she could smash the spider, but if she did that, the pattyroller might see her move, and Paul might let out a scream.

  The other wagon came to a stop behin
d theirs. A voice Ann hadn’t heard yet said, “Hey, Tom. What you got there?”

  Tom said, “I’m about to find out.”

  He lifted the cloth higher, and Ann heard a few potatoes tumble onto the ground. One of the horses spooked. Ann heard shuffling and pawing, and a horse whinnied. The cloth dropped back down as the men outside struggled to calm the frightened horse.

  Ann watched in horror as the spider started moving toward her face again. Then Mama’s hand came down on the spider, squishing it just before it reached Ann’s face.

  “Whoa!” yelled a voice. “Calm down, old boy!”

  Tom’s deep voice said, “This horse is scared of everything.” Then he yelled toward Donovan, “You can go on.”

  The wagon lurched forward, and they were on their way again. Ann, Mama, and Paul all let out big sighs. They’d been holding their breath. Baby Elizabeth had slept through the whole thing.

  * * *

  Northern Maryland, just south of the Mason-Dixon Line

  Wednesday, November 22, 1854

  Nightfall

  The rest of the day was quiet, and they reached the next station at nightfall. Donovan lifted the cover and moved the potatoes off Ann and her family. They had parked at the back of a building with a pointed roof.

  Mama sighed. “Good, a church.”

  Ann and her family climbed down from the wagon and looked up at the dark shape of the church.

  Donovan said, “I have to get back now.”

  “Thank you for helping us,” said Mama. She paused for a moment. “Do you think you can find out what happened to my husband, John?”

  “I will try,” said Donovan. The doors at the back of the church opened, and two men came out to greet them.

  One was tall and pale, with a gray beard. The other was a much shorter dark-skinned man. The man with the beard said, “Come with us.”

  As Donovan rode away on his wagon, they went inside and the smaller man closed the church doors behind them. The two men led them through a small chapel and up a narrow staircase into the bell tower.

  “The space in the tower is small,” said the man with the beard, “but it is big enough to hide in.” The bell tower reminded Ann of a big wooden bird’s nest.

  There were no introductions. Donovan had told them before they left his home not to give out their names. He said it made it easier for people to say, “I haven’t met anyone named Beth,” if they were questioned.

  The man with the beard said, “You’ll eat and sleep here tonight.” Then he gestured toward the shorter man. “Tomorrow, Melvin will take you into Pennsylvania.”

  Ann’s heart leapt. They were only a day away from freedom. Although she was full of excitement, she was also curious about how Melvin would be able to take them across the state line. Melvin had brown skin. Surely a Negro man would catch someone’s attention.

  “How is he going to do that?” asked Ann.

  Melvin grinned. “You’ll see.”

  Ann was beginning to realize there were a lot of good people in the world outside the farm. She was learning there were people who could be trusted. She decided to let herself sleep and wait for tomorrow.

  * * *

  Northern Maryland, just south of the Mason-Dixon Line

  Thursday, November 23, 1854

  Sunrise

  The next morning, a young woman came into the church. She brought ham, eggs, and bread for their breakfast. She also brought very fancy clothes. Ann had only seen clothes this fine once in her life, when two guests came to the farm to do business with Master Adam. There were lots of whispers in the field that day about the rich guests who came to visit.

  “Put on these clothes,” said the young woman. “Melvin will be here shortly.”

  Mama looked at the expensive clothes. “Oh, we can’t take those,” she said.

  The woman smiled. “Yes, you can. We have lots of friends who help us with disguises and food and even money,” she said. Before she left she added, “Good luck.”

  Ann slipped into a white dress, and Mama helped with the buttons in the back. Once Ann was dressed, she didn’t even feel like herself. The dress was heavy on her body, and the bonnet was uncomfortable.

  Mama looked beautiful in her long, blue dress. Paul wore nice black pants, and Elizabeth had a little white gown. The young woman helped them lace up their fancy shoes.

  Ann thought these clothes were just right for her family to wear as they crossed the line into freedom.

  Melvin met them at the door. He was dressed up too. “We’ll pretend I’m your husband,” he said to Mama.

  Mama looked horrified. “I have a hus—” she started to say. When she stopped, Ann wondered if it was because there was no way to know if Mama still had a husband or not.

  Melvin didn’t wait for Mama to finish. He said, “It’s just for show. I’m free. You’ll be my pretend family, and people will think you’re free too. We’ll ride in a wagon like everyone else.”

  Paul asked, “Out in the open?”

  Melvin said, “Hiding in plain sight.”

  Ann didn’t think the plan would work. Negroes didn’t dress like this. It would just make people suspicious. She thought Donovan’s way was better. They needed to hide or travel at night. Ann had not forgotten that she was the conductor for her family.

  “Melvin, we don’t want to get caught,” said Ann. “I don’t like this idea.”

  “Ann!” said Mama. “Don’t be rude.”

  Melvin interrupted. “Do you know how many families have ridden in my wagon?”

  Ann shook her head.

  “Nine,” said Melvin.

  Ann still thought it was a bad idea. She had learned already that things on the journey to freedom didn’t always go as planned. But if she wanted to get her family to freedom, she would have to take a chance.

  They all climbed into the wagon. Ann and Mama adjusted their bonnets so most of their faces were covered. Mama held the newspaper Melvin gave her. She was supposed to read it if anyone gave them trouble.

  Mama had said, “I can’t read.”

  “Just pretend to read it,” Melvin had told her. “Seeing you browse the pages will make people think you’re free, since they won’t teach slaves to read. It’s all for show, remember?”

  Ann and her family bounced along in the wagon. It was a nice change to travel during the day. Now Ann could see this new place where Negroes wore fancy clothes and sat in wagons. She was amazed by what she saw around her.

  A Negro man passed them on the road in his own wagon and waved to Melvin. They arrived at a small town, and Melvin stopped the wagon.

  “Why are you stopping?” asked Mama.

  “You’ll see,” said Melvin. “Read the paper while I go inside.”

  Mama held the paper up to her face. Melvin turned the newspaper around the right way for Mama and disappeared into a little building. Ann held her head down but peeked out from under her bonnet.

  Several Negro people walked through the town. They walked in and out of the buildings. Ann thought they must be close to the North if people were being this bold. No one looked afraid.

  Melvin came back and handed them each a molasses cookie. Paul took a big bite. “Mmmmm!” he said.

  Ann nibbled on the cookie. It was the most delicious thing she’d ever tasted. As the wagon continued on its journey, Ann ate her cookie as slowly as possible. She wanted to make it last.

  Eventually Paul fell asleep, and his head bounced against Ann’s arm. At sunset, Melvin stopped the wagon again.

  “Congratulations,” said Melvin. “We just crossed the Mason-Dixon Line. You’re free.”

  Mama began to weep. “We’re in the North?” she asked.

  Melvin nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.”

  Ann smiled. I led my family to freedom, she thought to herself. Then sh
e realized she had no idea what they were supposed to do next. Daddy hadn’t said anything about their future in the North. Now Daddy wasn’t here to tell them how to survive. They had no place to live. They had no money and no jobs. They didn’t even know any people.

  Melvin interrupted her thoughts. “Now remember,” he said, “some people may still be looking to capture you and take you back, so you need to be careful.”

  The molasses cookie tried to work its way up Ann’s throat. She hadn’t expected freedom to be scary.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Pennsylvania

  Thursday, November 23, 1854

  Sunset

  Ann had not prepared herself for freedom. She hadn’t thought about anything but getting to the North. Now they were going to be dropped off and left to figure out freedom without Daddy.

  Melvin said, “Climb on down.”

  “Out of the wagon?” asked Ann.

  “Yes,” he said.

  Ann said, “You’re leaving us here?”

  Melvin laughed. “No!” he said. “But don’t you want to put your feet on free land?”

  They all climbed out of the wagon and stood in the North. The North was fancy clothes and tight shoes and not forgetting people might be looking for you. The North was a place without Daddy. But the North was also molasses cookies and freedom and no slave owners or overseers.

  Paul jumped up and down. He turned in a circle and clapped his hands. Paul, who was afraid of everything, was the only one who didn’t seem afraid.

  A wagon approached, and Mama looked at Melvin with a worried expression.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “We’re trading wagons. The horses need a break.”

  A man with bright blue eyes and dark clothes climbed down, shook Melvin’s hand, and left again in Melvin’s wagon.