The Silver Highway

by Marian Wells

  In a terse whisper, he said, “You were missing, and then we heard the hounds. Keep walking,” he warned the group, taking Tandy’s little boy from Olivia. “We’ll talk later.”

  When it was too dark to see where they were going, Alex moved among them again. “It appears best for us to find shelter in the bushes. We’ll have to stay here tonight. If we did find the river, the boat couldn’t see us.”

  “There’s supper in this kettle,” Olivia said wearily.

  “I’m sorry,” Alex murmured, taking the pot. “I didn’t realize you were carrying something. We need food desperately if we are to keep walking.”

  They found shelter in the bush-covered hillside and sat down to eat. As quickly and as quietly as they could, they ate their supper and then quieted the children down for the night. Soon, most everyone else had also settled in for a good night’s rest.

  Olivia’s body was crying out for sleep, but her mind was too busy thinking over the events of the past day, so she sat down with her back against a tree, staring wide-eyed into the darkness. She was conscious of whispers, movement. Alex came to sit beside her.

  “The hounds?”

  “We’re safe. We had planned to find you and go back to the boat, but the hounds cut us off. Matthew and Jess decoyed them.”

  “Oh, that’s what happened. We heard all the commotion.”

  “We thought we’d have to walk to the Ohio before we caught up with you,” Alex said. “How did you manage to get in front of the party?”

  Olivia shrugged, “We thought we were behind and tried to walk as quickly as possible. What do we do now?”

  “Keep walking. The boat is going to limp into port. Matt and I spotted a likely place on the map. Now it looks as if the best we can do is to meet up with them. Hopefully we can spot them on the river. If not, we’ll aim for the first good port.”

  He shifted his weight and she felt the warmth of his shoulder against hers. “Alex?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will we make it?”

  “Of course. It could be difficult, but these people are accustomed to hard times. And the Lord has clearly led us this far. He’ll see us through. Now go to sleep.”

  He shifted his position, and his shoulder was warm and comforting under her cheek.

  ****

  She felt his fingers against her face. “Olivia, it is nearly dawn. I think we had better awaken the others and start walking. It’s impossible to guess where we are. We’ll have to be concerned with keeping the children quiet and moving quickly.”

  She got to her feet and shook her frock. With a weary yawn, she tried to guess east and searched for a glimpse of light. Alex watched silently. He was only a darker shadow close to her until he murmured, “Did you rest?”

  There was a gentleness in his voice that brought tears to her eyes. She bit her lip hard before answering, “Yes. Thank you for the shoulder. There’s bread in this bag. Shall we divide it now?”

  “Let’s wait. If that is all there is, we’ll either find the boat or look for a place to buy food.”

  “Do you know what lies ahead of us?”

  “Not completely. According to the map, there are several small towns along the Ohio River. I’m guessing there are also farms close to those towns—which means we’ll need to stick to the woods.”

  Solomon had been moving through the group speaking softly, and now the people were on their feet, preparing to move out.

  A young Negro stepped close to Alex, his voice low and worried. “Them babies are fussy. Didn’t get enough sleep.”

  Alex reached for the bread sack. “Then divide this loaf among them, Ralph. Only one,” he cautioned. “Our supplies are going fast.”

  By mid-morning they were walking along the pine forest that bordered one farm after another. Alex summed up the situation when they sat down to rest at noon. “I believe we are in Kentucky now; soon the Ohio River branches eastward. Unless Matthew and Caleb are having trouble, I expect they’ve passed us. Right now it seems best for us to begin to head northeast.”

  The statement was met with silence. Alex studied the tired faces. “And, I think I’d better venture into the nearest town for provisions. I’ll take Ralph with me, and the rest of you stay together, rest, and keep the children quiet.”

  The two of them then headed to find some food and soon were out from under the shelter of the forest. The sun scorched them as they walked rapidly down the lane that seemed to veer steadily northwest. Alex mopped his forehead and grinned at Ralph. “Think we can find our way to the river?”

  Ralph shook his head. “I’m wondering where we can buy food. I don’t think we’ll dare have a cook fire.”

  “That’s right,” Alex said slowly, “so we’ll need things like bread, cheese, maybe sausage.”

  Ralph grinned. “Turnips, some roasting ears. I can always just help myself to those.”

  Alex shook his head. “Let’s avoid trouble if we can.”

  “Here’s a fella with a wagon,” Ralph said. “Maybe he’ll give us a ride.”

  Alex turned to wave. The wagon stopped and the man peered down. “If’n you’re going to town, you and yer nigger hop in.”

  Alex’s attempt at conversation was met with monosyllables. But his irritation disappeared when he realized all the questions were unnecessary. Their destination loomed on the horizon.

  After they arrived in town, the man dropped off Alex and Ralph and they went into one of the shops along the wharf. Roustabouts slept peacefully in the noon sun. Casually he asked, “Been a boat through here today?”

  “Looking fer a packet?” asked the shopkeeper.

  “Yes. Have you seen the Golden Awl?”

  A frown crinkled the man’s brow. “Don’t know’s I’ve ever heard of that’un. Ain’t seen a boat today. Might wait if you haven’t a better thing to do.”

  After purchasing cheese, sausage, and corn, Alex asked the shopkeeper, “Is there a bakery in town?” The shopkeeper waved his hand toward the end of the street and continued to stuff Alex’s purchases into the cotton bag.

  At the bakery Alex bought four loaves of bread, two cakes, and a tray of cookies. As he and Ralph walked down the street, he said, “I dared not risk raising her curiosity, but four loaves won’t go far with us.”

  Soberly Ralph nodded. “Seems to me we could go a mite hungry until we find that boat. But that’s better than having the hounds on our trail again.”

  By the time they were halfway down the lane leading to the pine forest, Ralph brightened and grinned at Alex. “Sometimes a hungry stomach can make a fella forget there’s freedom ahead. Keep reminding us, Alex. When we grump, remind us freedom is just around the next corner!”

  “Mister, wanna buy some apples?” The youth had been standing along the lane for several hours selling his fruit to passersby. Now he had come rushing out and planted his feet in the middle of the lane and straightened under his sack. “I see you been into town. Bet you didn’t find any nice fresh summer apples. Wanna—”

  “Only if I can buy the bag too,” Alex said with a grin.

  ****

  After entering back into the forest, they soon found themselves refreshed by the moist, cool air, heavily perfumed with moss and pine. “Almost there,” Ralph murmured, shifting the apples to his other shoulder.

  “I can see them,” Alex replied as the first little black figure ran toward him.

  That night, after eating, they walked, keeping well within the forest, until the children whimpered with weariness.

  Regardless, when they formed a circle and divided the apples and sausage, there was nearly a festive air to the group. Alex could see Olivia was feeling it, even though her face was drawn with fatigue.

  As he studied her face in the waning light, he felt a new stirring of tenderness. Moving impatiently, he got to his feet. “We haven’t taken time these past two days to have our prayer and Bible reading. I’ve been thinking about the words in a Psalm that means much to me. There’s hope to be t
aken from the words, and I want to say them to you. ‘Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.’

  “Now, ‘the ways of them’ in this Psalm refers to the sparrows who have found a shelter in God’s house. A place where they are so much at home that they build nests and raise their young. Right now none of us has a home, but now at this minute we can be at home in God, with as much confidence as those sparrows have in His Presence. Solomon, will you pray for us tonight? But keep your voice down.”

  Olivia fought sleep as Solomon’s whispered prayer reached out to all those around the circle. She heard the strange note of rejoicing in his voice as he said, “Lord, we don’t know anything except You have us in the hollow of Your hand. And we don’t have to worry about us. We do the best we can. If we die, we die in You. If we get to Canada, You’ll be there too.”

  When the last rustle and whisper quieted, Alex came to her side. As they settled their backs against the tree, Olivia said, “These people have such childish ways. That prayer of Solomon’s seems too innocent. He acts as if he’s addressing a person, someone with hands and feet who can help him.”

  “I think he is. It seems to me that Solomon has a clear picture of Jesus Christ sitting right there listening to him.”

  “You believe that way?”

  “Yes.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. Tired as she was, she now had trouble getting to sleep as she listened to the rustle of forest creatures and the murmur of restless children. Finally Alex reached for her and held her in his arms until she slept.

  Chapter 22

  While Jess rowed back to the boat, Matthew watched the men on shore. He said, “It was a nasty situation resolved more easily than I expected.”

  “Are they still standing there?”

  “Still watching, but I don’t think they’re suspicious.” Matthew continued, “The hounds picked up the scent of us all, but I’m convinced we confused them. Just hope we can meet up with Alex and the rest of them tomorrow.”

  Jess nodded. Pulling close to the Golden Awl, he dropped the oars as Matthew grabbed the rope ladder and turned to reach for the rope. Crystal came to the railing just as Matthew dropped to the deck. Leaning over, she saw the empty boat. Wide-eyed she looked from Jess to Matthew.

  “Did you hear the hounds?”

  She nodded.

  “Alex and the others headed north. Jess and I were decoys.” He grinned down at her. “Tomorrow you have a job. You’ll be chief look-out. Hopefully they’ll find their way to the shore and we’ll pick them up.”

  “And if not?”

  “Then we’ll lay over in Paducah, Kentucky, until they catch up with us.” He paused. “Where’s the rest of them?”

  “Joseph is in the engine room getting lessons on how to run a steam engine. He’s also been splitting wood for the cookstove. Amelia is preparing dinner for us.”

  She paused. “Matthew, what will we do if—I mean, this is frightening.”

  His jaw tightened. “There are risks, without a doubt. These days you just don’t go running all over the South with a bunch of runaway slaves on your heels.”

  “What ever possessed Alex Duncan to get involved in such a project?”

  “Right now,” he said with a twisted grin, “I could repeat back all the things he’s been saying to me for the past weeks. But frankly, given the circumstances we’re in, the reasoning behind his arguments just plain doesn’t hold water.”

  Caleb joined them. His face was very sober when Matthew finished speaking. “So they got cut off?”

  Matthew nodded. “How does the rudder look?”

  “I need another day to work on it. Sure enough, it needs to be replaced, but with some wire and a few holes poked in it, I believe we can make do.”

  ****

  The sun was setting when the river patrol boat pulled close. Matthew watched while the captain studied them. Then the man cupped his hands to his mouth and called, “I’m coming aboard.”

  “Come ahead!” Matthew shouted. Turning to Crystal and Amelia, he whispered, “It’s nothing to be alarmed about. He won’t find anything.”

  The officer came over the side with an apologetic smile. “Just routine. We’ve been petitioned to examine all the small boats moving on the Mississippi. It seems there’s been an increase in runaway slave traffic. Will you please escort me through your boat?”

  “Certainly,” Matthew said, and then took the patrol on an extensive tour of the boat. When the man finally left them, Matthew sat down at the table and said, “It wouldn’t surprise me to have at least another check. I don’t think he was satisfied.”

  “I saw the way he looked when he saw the cookstove down here in the woodpile,” Amelia said.

  “I think he became suspicious when he saw the cotton stacked in the cabins. We would have done well to have all the cotton in one cabin. Too late now; we’ll have to expect another investigation.”

  Matthew got to his feet. “If you ladies will excuse me, I’ll join Caleb in the pilothouse. He’s going to need all the help he can get tomorrow, and I think I need a briefing on what to do with that wheel and the bells.”

  As Amelia watched him go, she turned to Crystal. “Life’s looking up already, huh?” She grinned, “I’m glad for you.”

  Crystal felt her face grow warm. “Matthew is a wonderful person, but I’ve no intention of taking his flirtation seriously.” She paused and her breath caught as her words came in a rush. “Please don’t say anything to Olivia about—our conversation. I suppose I’ll need to tell her sometime, but not now.”

  “Especially since Matthew is her brother?” Amelia’s eyes narrowed as Crystal hesitated, and finally she nodded.

  ****

  When Matthew left the pilothouse, the moon had risen above the trees along the bank. On impulse he went down to the main deck. Crystal leaned against the railing, her face lifted to the moon. Matthew crossed the deck. “I hoped I would find you here. Where is Amelia?”

  “In the cabin. I believe she’s washing her clothes. There are both advantages and disadvantages to losing all your wardrobe.”

  “Name the advantages.”

  “It doesn’t take a half hour to decide what you’ll wear in the morning.” He chuckled as she added, “But you must also do laundry each night. This is the first time in my life I’ve scrubbed clothes.”

  “Let me see if it is ruining your hands.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “Smooth as silk. I’ll recommend you as a laundress.” He tugged her close, and she came willingly.

  “Crystal—” he hesitated, then spoke in a rush of words. “I suppose I shouldn’t say this, but I must be fair. I think I’m beginning to love you more each day. If I’m not to have a chance with you, please say so.”

  Crystal hesitated, turning in his arms. She looked out over the water. The party in Natchez danced before her eyes. Centered in the picture was Boyd Darkinson. While his ardent eyes had questioned and demanded an answer, Crystal had begun to understand the difference Joseph had made in her life. And that night, with Boyd’s proud Southern face bending over her, she realized she must reject forever the possibility of marriage and happiness.

  Now, with an ache in her heart, she closed her eyes, wondering if her life was destined to be an endless procession of such temptations. Conscious of Matthew’s nearness, she swallowed the painful lump in her throat. But Joseph said I am to forget—

  Taking her by the shoulders, Matthew turned her around. “You can’t encourage me?”

  Her eyes focused on him. Trying for a teasing note as she studied his serious face, she said, “How do you know I won’t be a butterfly, flitting from you to the next?”

  “Because I care enough to fasten you firmly to this stalk before you look for another.” His mouth searched for hers.

  “Oh, Matthew, thi
s is happening too soon.”

  “Let me kiss you again, and then you say that.” Her arms reached for him. “I knew it,” he exulted. “I knew you were for me as soon as I saw you.”

  ****

  Before Crystal and Amelia were out of bed, they heard the clanking and shudder. Amelia lifted her head and worried, “I hope they know what they are doing. I wish they would wait for Alex. Somehow I have more confidence in that young man.”

  Crystal sat up. “I think I do, too. Perhaps we should get up before we find ourselves in the Mississippi in this state of undress.”

  Amelia shuddered. “One dip is enough. I’ll never forget that as long as I live. The flames—” She paused and looked curiously at Crystal. “I’ve heard that when you are dying, your whole life flashes in front of you. Did you feel that way?”

  Crystal chewed her lip. Something flashed in front of me last night when Matthew kissed me, she thought. And this morning I have a terribly guilty conscience. I suppose I should just tell him now before my resolve flies out the window. She glanced at Amelia and said, “Dying? No, I was too busy thinking about what to do next. Did your life flash in front of you?”

  “No, that’s why I wondered. If anybody’s would, I’d expect it to be mine.” Her face was troubled when she faced Crystal.

  Crystal took a deep breath. “Amelia, I know you girls reputedly live a pretty rough life, but my old nurse—I call her Auntie T, well, she says, no matter what your religion is or isn’t, the Lord is willing to listen when you just say you are sorry and want another chance to prove it.”

  Amelia picked at a thread on her blanket. Abruptly the serious expression fled. “So much for Auntie T; I get the feeling I need to prove it and then say I’m sorry. Seems I don’t have the confidence He’ll listen ’til then.”

  “All hands on deck!” Matthew shouted outside their door. “We’re heading out as soon as breakfast is finished.”

  Breakfast was unusually quiet. Crystal and Matt exchanged quick glances, but said very little to each other. Afterward, Crystal and Amelia were washing dishes when the boat shuddered away from the shore and headed up the Mississippi. Crystal gave a sigh of relief. “At least we’re moving again.”