On To Richmond

by Ginny Dye

  Rose nodded slowly. 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 with a smile.

  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. It was too soon to move down onto the trail. 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 confidently. “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, continued to press down the trail, and tried 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 had grown wet from plodding along the shore line and now were beginning to feel numb. Rose gathered her coat even closer around her, bit her lip, and continued to press on.

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

  “I’m just fine, Moses. I’m sure we will find a boat soon.” What difference did it make that he knew she was lying? She knew 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 if it’s only here tonight when we need it.”

  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 will be 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 gently. “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 then moved 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 said quietly, 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 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 then 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 immediately and followed him. The boat was right where they had seen it the night before. No one had been near it. The sky had still been a threatening gray when the sun had gone down, but at least there was no stiff wind blowing. Looking carefully in every direction, Moses led the way onto the shore. Only when he was satisfied no one was around, did he signal for Rose to join him.

  Rose moved quickly and settled herself in the front of the boat and tried to control the fear rolling in her stomach as she looked into the black emptiness of the water stretching 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,” he said quietly.

  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.

  Rose looked back as the shore line disappeared. Soon all she could see anywhere was water. She sat as still as she could while 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 sprung 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 soon shivered uncontrollably.

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

  “I’m fine,” Rose called back. Then, 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 battered them. The rain continued and the waves beat against 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,

  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 de
liver me too.

  Rose lost all track of time as they forged through the water - 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?”

  Roses shook her head happily and then realized he couldn’t see her. “Land! I see land, Moses!”

  Moses whipped his head around for a brief moment and then bent himself to his task once more. Her announcement seemed to give him added strength, for it seemed only moments before 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 would 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,” he said simply.

  Rose watched him, waiting for him to continue. The day was chilly, but the sun had finally dried out all her clothes. She had just finished braiding and coiling her hair. Her coat, laid out on some rocks, would 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 and then 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 calmly. “My mama always told me hard times made 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.” Then 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. Suddenly 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.

  Rose simply smiled. “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 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.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Rose smoothed down her dress one more time and patted her hair. She knew her dress looked worn and old, but at least it was clean. Moses was wearing a new shirt one of their new friends had found them, but his pants looked like what they were - refugee pants. Fighting to control the butterflies in her stomach, she looked up at the three-story row house in front of her. Moses, standing beside her, seemed just as nervous as she was. Somehow, the thought comforted her.

  “We can’t stand out here all day, you know,” she said teasingly. She took Moses’ hand, and together they walked up the stairs enclosed by wrought-iron railing.

  Moses took a deep breath and raised his hand to the knocker. He rapped it sharply three times and then stood back.

  Rose held her breath as she heard footsteps approaching the door. “She’s home!” she whispered. She had thought they might have to come several times before they caught her at home. Their evening arrival seemed to be timed perfectly - unless of course it was one of her servants. Then she remembered Carrie saying she had none. Her thoughts were cut short when the door swung open.

  Rose stared at the attractive woman before them. She was just the way Carrie had described her: Tall with a regal bearing softened by light brown hair pulled back into a bun and laughing gray eyes. Rose liked her immediately.

  “May I help you?” the woman said graciously, not seeming to take notice of their worn condition. She was both courteous and pleasant.

  “Are you Abigail Stratton?” Moses asked.

  “I am,” she responded. “And who might I have the pleasure of talking with?”

  Rose stepped forward. “My name is Rose. This is Moses.” She stopped, not knowing what else to say. Finally she reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter she had kept protected for so long. She held it out wordlessly.

  Aunt Abby looked at Rose curiously but reached for the letter and opened it. Quickly she scanned the letter and then gave a cry of delight. “You are friends of Carrie Cromwell! She has told me so much about both of you!” She stepped outside and embraced both of them. “Please come in at once.”

  “Thank you,” Rose and Moses murmured at the same time as they followed the glowing woman into her immaculate home. Carrie had promised them she would give them a warm welcome. Their fears had been pointless.

  In moments they were seated in her parlor. “First things first,” their hostess announced. “I find Mrs. Stratton much too big a handle for anything but a business environment. Will you please call me Aunt Abby? Anyone who is a friend of Carrie’s is a friend of mine. And I practically feel that I know you both.”

  Rose smiled. “We’d like that,” she paused and then added softly, “Aunt Abby.” She could feel tears building in her throat. Aunt Abby was so much like her mama. Oh, the differences were obvious, but it was easy to recognize the same caring heart and the same willingness to give and love.

  Now Aunt Abby turned her attention back to the letter she had read so quickly. Then she looked up with a frown. “Carrie wrote this letter on October 1. Today is October the 29th. It has taken you quite a while to make your way here. I take it there were difficulties?”

  Moses nodded. “I guess we ran into our share of them.” He filled her in on the details leading up to where they had crossed the river after losing their guide. They laughed together over Carrie’s acting with the Confederate captain and shed tears together over Mike O’Leary’s death.

  “And when you crossed the river? What did you do then without a conductor?”

  Rose spoke up them. “We were blessed enough to find another conductor for the Railroad. A former slave by the name of Isaac Waters. He convinced us it would be too hard to go over land with winter approaching. I’m still not sure how he arranged it, but we’ve only had to walk from the dock down on the end of Washington Street to here. The rest of our trip has all been on water.”

  “They were able to secure you passage on a big boat?”

  “I wouldn’t exactly call them big,” Moses said with a smile. “Most of them were rowboats.”

  Aunt Abby gasped. “You came all the way up the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River in rowboats?”

  “Yes,” Rose said calmly. “And we made many wonderful friends along the way. One man would take us a day or so north; then another would pick us up. We had quite a few days when we had to be put up while we waited for our next conductor, but we were always well fed and cared for.” Then she smiled. “Not that I wasn�
�t glad to finally reach Philadelphia. I have had quite enough of boats for as long as I live.” She saw no reason to tell Aunt Abby of the long, bitterly cold days on the water. Or the days when waves threatened to overturn their tiny crafts. They were here. That was all that mattered.

  Freedom had beckoned. They had answered its call and had done just what her mama would have told them to do: Going around every obstacle, embracing every hard time as if it were a friend carrying them to their final goal. They had persevered. And they were stronger for it. Rose knew she was not the same young woman who had left Cromwell Plantation a month earlier. She was ready to face whatever life had to offer here in this new city.

  “And Carrie?” Aunt Abby asked. “How is she? I miss her so much. Even our correspondence has become impossible.”

  “Carrie was doing well when we left her,” Rose answered. “She received your last letter.”

  “She did?” Aunt Abby exclaimed with a smile. “My conductor friend made no promises, but he said he would do what he could to get my letter to her.” She paused, her eyes glistening with tears. “Please do tell me all about her. She’s like a daughter to me, you know.”

  Rose nodded. “She thinks of you as a combination of friend and mother. She has talked of you so much. Carrie wanted me to tell you she has written you at least two letters a week. She’s saving them for the time when they can reach you again.” Rose thought for a moment. “I’m sure she told me she tried to send a letter to you through the network. It must not have made it.”

  Aunt Abby smiled, her eyes shining with delight. “It’s just wonderful to know she is all right.”

  Rose filled her in on all the details of what Carrie was doing on the plantation. “She had delivered twenty wagons of food to the city when we left. There is no telling how many were sent before the first hard frost.”

  “I should have known she would find a way to make a difference,” Aunt Abby said admiringly. “I can only imagine how much she must miss you two.” She leaned back in her chair. “Does Carrie feel safe on the plantation now?”