by Marian Wells
Olivia stood and impatiently shook out her frock. “But with those eyes boring into you, it would be impossible to disagree with him. And I don’t think I would like that at all.”
Crystal got up. “So you are telling me that I should just forget my friend?”
Olivia turned away. “It would be awful to turn against a friend, just because she had tainted blood. Isn’t there a way to live with the problem?”
Chapter 25
Alex returned and sat at the table long after the women had finished the dishes. Tandy eyed him. “You tired? Too bad this boat can’t get through the water without being babied along!”
He grinned at her. “Tired, yes. I was thinking of putting my feet on your table, but I’m afraid you’d throw me overboard with the dishwater.”
“Not until after you scrubbed the table again,” Amelia chuckled.
Alex continued to watch her as she moved around the makeshift kitchen, rinsing towels and hanging them to dry. “You seem to like kitchen work,” he observed. She threw him a quick startled glance and he said, “Hey, I’m not offering you a long-term job; it’s merely an opinion!”
She hung the last towel and came to sit across the table from him. “Want more coffee?”
“No thank you.” He paused, adding, “Amelia, I’ve no reason to hurry you along, but you know what kind of boat this is, and I think you recognize the danger we’re in. Would you like us to let you off at Cincinnati?”
A cloud settled over her face. He studied the sad lines of her mouth while he waited. She took a deep breath and said, “I understand. It’s a nice way to tell me I stand a better chance of finding a position in my chosen profession if I get off at Cincinnati.”
“Well, I’m old enough to figure out a few things.” His voice failed to convey the light touch.
She toyed with the mug on the table, glanced at him and asked, “What would be the possibility of joining your group?”
“Why?” He was startled to see a fleeting expression of fear on her face.
“Maybe I want to feel good about myself again. Maybe I want to help you. I came from a free state. All this has been a shock—to see human beings treated badly enough that they will risk their lives to escape.”
“Amelia, I’ll be frank. You may not receive the welcome you’ve had here. I don’t know much about these people we will be contacting, but I do know the abolitionists for the most part are Christians, and I think you’d be impatient with the restrictions they place on life. You’ll see them as narrow-minded.”
She moved restlessly. “Are you wanting to be father confessor? I know all about Christians. Might say I’ve been around my share of them.” Alex waited, and finally she said, “You want to know what makes me tick?”
“I didn’t ask.”
“And you won’t?”
“No, but Amelia, I’m concerned about the people. You can’t just take the slaves on because you feel sorry for them. In the first place, what we are doing is outside the law. We are trying to save them because these lives are precious.”
Caleb, who’d been standing at the railing nearby, came and sat down beside Alex. “I heard part of your conversation and I tell you, mostly people don’t get the itch to help people unless the Lord puts them up to it.”
Amelia studied Alex’s face. “Are you telling me that you are a Christian?” Hastily she added, “I mean something other than a fellow whose got his name on the role.”
He grinned, “Must be, since I don’t have my name on the role. I take that back. I was baptized as a baby. But that isn’t the motivation behind my life. Amelia, I think being called a Christian implies an encounter with God that is life changing.” He paused. “It’s sort of a love affair with God, you know what I mean? A moving out of self-preoccupation into wanting to please God more than anything else in the world.”
“About now you should have some Scripture to read at me.”
“Not unless you want it.”
“I don’t. But about Pennsylvania—I want to come if you’ll be patient. I promise I won’t stay around and clutter up your life if you don’t want me to.”
“You’ll conform to the rules of the group?” She nodded, and then with a grin, he said, “I suggest we stop somewhere before we reach Pennsylvania and buy you a dress that covers more and looks a little more utilitarian.” He paused and added with a chuckle, “I don’t want these Quaker brethren to make a quick decision about my judgment. You know, I’ve never met any of them. To me, they’re only names on paper.”
Unexpectedly Amelia laughed. “A dancehall girl leading a pack of escaped slaves to the Quakers.”
Alex got to his feet. As he turned, he realized the railing behind him was lined with listeners. “Hello! I didn’t know you were here.”
Solomon said, “We been listening. We like Miss Amelia, and we’re glad she’s a comin’ along. Could come to the Promised Land.” He chuckled as he pointed to her surprised face. “That’s Canada!”
“I thought you meant heaven.” She frowned and then glanced at Solomon. “Promised Land? Do you really think it is going to be that wonderful?”
“It’ll be free.”
Tandy, with her hand on Sarah’s head added, “Our chillen gets to go to school. When they grow up, they live where they please. Get married, have a family.” She paused, and her voice dropped. “I haven’t seen my man since I was with the baby. They sold him. We made agreement. If we can, we escape to Canada. Maybe, the Lord willing, I’ll see him there.” She tilted her face to Amelia. “I love my man just the same as any white lady love hers. Maybe there we get really married—by a preacher man. See why we call it the Promised Land?”
Jess moved forward and lifted his shadowed face. “Alex, we feel you are our friend, but why do you do this for us? If that patrol catches us all, there will be trouble for you.”
Another dark figure moved forward. “We been talking. That white man killed Ralph; it could have been you. Don’t you know you might die?”
“Yes, I am aware of it.” Alex said slowly. “But remember what Caleb said. A person doesn’t do something like this unless the Lord asks it of him. Might say I have an obligation. The Lord Jesus Christ died for me so that I will have eternal life with Him. Now it seems like He’s asking if I’m willing to risk my earthly life for my brothers.”
“Brothers! You call us your brothers. We’re black people! Some say we’re inferior. Don’t count.”
“I can prove you are not inferior, and that you do count just as much as any man who has ever lived.”
“How’s that?”
Before Alex answered he lifted his head to the whisper of sound. Olivia and Crystal were seated on the stairs with their faces pressed close to the railing. It was obvious they were listening to him. He looked at the black man in front of him. “Andy, Jesus Christ died for your sins, just as He died for mine.”
“You can’t prove that,” the yearning voice protested. “I know that some folks say so, but you can’t prove it.”
“Yes, I can. The Bible tells us that when we become God’s children He sends His Holy Spirit to live in us. Look around; you know some of these brothers of yours live like men with the Holy Spirit inside.”
Caleb touched Andy’s shoulder. “That’s right, brother. I know without a doubt in me that the Holy Ghost lives right inside of me. I know it, and I know when I die I go to be with the Lord Jesus.” He paused and added, “And I know Alex is born again just like me. I was there when he decided for the Lord. It’s a difference. Better than night and day, the Lord makes a difference in a body. ’Sides, I know he isn’t fibbing about the glory comin’ down on him. I know because he got the call of God, and just like the Word says, I’m seeing it manifest in him.”
“Don’t look like nothing except an ordinary man to me,” Jess said.
“He got a verse that just brings you down to your knees,” Caleb insisted.
Suddenly conscious of the listeners on the stairs, Alex said, “Caleb, don�
��t you think we ought to save that sermon for another time?”
“No, suh,” came a voice at the rear of the crowd, “we want to hear it all. Speak out the verse, and then we’ll say good-night.”
Alex said, “It’s from the book of Isaiah, a prophecy concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. When the words began to sink down deep inside of me, He reminded me that as Christians we are called to represent Him on this earth.”
He paused and then quoted softly, “He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…to comfort all that mourn…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise…that he might be glorified.”
Crystal and Olivia, still listening to Alex, made their escape. Back in the cabin, Olivia leaned against the door. “Well,” she said dryly, “there’s your answer. You just found out how Alex feels about the whole situation of racial inferiority. Can you live with his verdict?”
Frowning, Crystal stared at Olivia until she moved uneasily. “Olivia, you’re not happy. Just perhaps you are the one who needs a private conference with him. Let him change your mind. Father Confessor, that might be a good name for him. Why should the things he says make you angry?”
Olivia frowned and then carefully said, “Crystal, I don’t believe I’m angry, it’s just that he sounded so sanctimonious. I find that offensive. He’s not one speck better than the rest of us.”
“Well, he did say he had to be willing to die; I suppose that would make a person a little above anyone else.”
Olivia snorted as she got ready for bed. “I’m too tired to stretch my little mind any more tonight. Besides, I need to wash this dress. I’m getting so very tired of wearing the same thing every day.”
“It is too bad they didn’t at least allow you to pack some clothing.”
Thoughtfully Olivia said, “Right now I’m more concerned about our parents. What can they be thinking of us? Matthew and I’ve done some things that have merited us a good scolding, but we’ve never before just disappeared from home.” She looked at Crystal and added, “I told Matt we need to write letters, but he said we should wait until we’ve reached Pennsylvania.”
As Crystal removed her shoes, she declared, “As soon as we get there, I’m going to turn around and go right back home.”
“Crystal, I can’t understand you. Why don’t you just have Alex put you on a boat for New Orleans right now?” When Crystal didn’t answer, Olivia impatiently said, “Oh, I’m being nosy. I know you’ve talked to Alex about this, and I’ll respect your silence, but I can’t help being a little disappointed, especially since we were such close friends at school.”
There was still no answer. With another shrug, Olivia went back to her laundry and Crystal crawled into her bunk.
****
In the morning Olivia yawned her way out of bed, only to discover that Crystal had left the cabin. Fighting sleep she staggered across the room, bumping into the table in the center of the cabin before she dropped into a chair.
She opened her eyes and stared at the table. “What a strange man! I am more confused than ever.” She recalled Alex’s teasing eyes as he pursued her around the table. Moving her shoulders impatiently, she said, “But one thing is certain—I’ll do my best to stay out of his way.”
Even as she said the words, she remembered the children and the paper. “Oh, Olivia,” she scolded, “if you want to avoid another trip to the pilothouse, get yourself downstairs immediately!” She ran to gather up her clothing.
“Ugh!” She bent over and picked the wet dress off the floor, muttering, “My clothesline collapsed. This frock isn’t only soggy, it’s soiled!”
Still holding the wet garment at arms length she remembered Matthew’s clothes. Dropping the dress she pulled open the cupboard and tugged at Matthew’s bag. Inside she found an extra shirt and pair of trousers.
Quickly Olivia dressed. She had the door open when she thought of the last time Alex had seen her dressed this way.
She gave a shrug as she clattered down the stairs.
She could see the people clustered around the stove having breakfast. “Sorry, sleepyhead as usual,” she said flippantly as she sat down.
“Going riding bareback?” Matthew asked.
“No I washed my dress last night, and the clothesline broke. It’s as wet as it was when I hung it.”
Glancing up she caught Alex’s puzzled frown. Quickly she jumped to her feet. “No, no, Tandy; I’ll wait on myself.”
With arms crossed on his chest, Alex continued to watch her as she sat back down at the table. “You’re no bigger than a little boy,” he said slowly.
Olivia held her breath to avoid choking. Carefully she said, “I’m tall for a woman, and one of these days, when I’ve nothing to do, I’ll sit around eating bon-bons and get fat.”
He grinned. “Don’t bother; I like you the way you are.” He left the table and Olivia glared at her porridge, furious with her wildly beating heart. Suddenly she jumped to her feet. “Joe, run up to the pilothouse and ask Alex for paper.”
Alex spoke behind her. “I remembered you needed it. Is this enough?”
Embarrassed, she snapped, “Must you dole it out piece by piece?”
“It’s chart paper. You needn’t justify your use of it, but it’s all I have.” Again he grinned at her, his blue eyes teasing, and she was left not knowing what to say.
She swallowed hard, and in a timid voice she said, “Thank you. Students, we are in business again. Back to the books.”
Caleb came downstairs, his face puckered with worry. He addressed the women around the table. “See that big sycamore tree there? It marks the beginning of bad water. Alex says the river is filled with rocks, and water’s shooting over, making dangerous currents. He say you keep the babies close to you and pray until we get out of the rough water.”
****
It was late evening when Alex came downstairs. His face was lined with fatigue. Dropping onto the bench beside the table he said, “According to the charts, this is the worst of the falls. Caleb is going to take us upstream another mile or so. We need to find a place we can tie up for the night.”
Tandy brought him a bowl of rich gumbo. “Amelia made it especially for you.”
Olivia watched him smile across the table as he picked up his spoon. “Amelia, thank you! For that good deed, I’ll buy you another load of wood, just so that—”
“I can make more tomorrow!” she exclaimed with a teasing laugh. “How about catching some fish, too?”
“I hear little Joe and his mama do a good job of hauling them in.” Alex patted the little head close to his arm, adding, “You two just make certain you duck out of sight when the boats come along.” He took a bite and said, “Tomorrow we’ll be getting into Cincinnati.”
Little Joe peered at Alex. “Is Miss Crystal going to stay there?”
Alex paused and then said, “No, everyone will stay with the boat until we reach Pennsylvania. Does that make you happy?”
“Yes, but I ’spect it makes Matthew more happy!” With a joyful laugh he ran for the stairs.
Olivia saw the surprise on Alex’s face. He glanced at her with a question in his eyes.
Shrugging, she said with a laugh, “Ask Matthew. I refuse to be held responsible for my brother’s flirtations. Knowing him, it won’t be serious.” There was a frown on Alex’s face. She said, “How can anyone—”
“Olivia,” his voice was soft but commanding. They both heard the footsteps and turned.
“Crystal,” Alex said, “join us?”
“I—was wondering if you would be talking about the Bible again tonight,” she said. “At breakfast you didn’t have time for questions.”
“If you wish,” he said slowly.
“One thing,” Olivia said with a short laugh. “If you wreck your boat, you can always go to preaching.”
“Thank you for the compliment,” he sai
d with a mock bow.
“I—” Olivia swallowed the retort and went to lean against the rail, feeling uneasy.
“I’ll be back in just a moment,” Alex said, and he went forward to help tie onto the tree, as Caleb brought the boat near the shore.
Through the trees Olivia could see fireflies pricking the darkness with light. She could hear Alex as he returned and began talking again with Crystal. Olivia turned to lean back against the railing.
A circle of dark faces surrounded Alex and Crystal. As he talked, Amelia and Matthew came down the stairs and stood beside the rail.
Olivia heard Alex say, “This morning we read the Bible verses from Matthew where Jesus criticized the scribes and Pharisees. Crystal, what is the question you want to discuss?”
Hesitantly she said, “You read the verse in which Jesus told the people as they observed the scribes and Pharisees, to not do as these people were doing, because their actions were different than their teaching. Jesus mentioned them putting heavy burdens on the people, and having a demeanor that labeled them superior to those around them. Also he said they were to call everyone brother, and no one master except Christ.”
She paused. “You also said the way we keep God’s word reveals whether or not we are really followers of Jesus Christ. I find that very troubling. Isn’t this an impossible standard?”
“In what we are able to do all by ourselves, yes,” Alex replied.
Shaking his head, Caleb said, “But not when we ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help us, Missy.”
The words began to slip past Olivia, although she was aware of the clamor of more voices.
She turned back to study out the pattern of fireflies blinking their way inland and thought about Crystal. She’s beautiful and wealthy, but that strange unhappy expression seems to have become a part of her. And now she’s searching out religious ideas as if she’s an old lady about to die.
With a bewildered shake of her head, Olivia turned away to watch the fish jump. Beside her, Matthew and Amelia were talking earnestly, but it seemed to have nothing to do with the discussion involving Alex.
She gave them a curious glance as she hesitated beside the railing. Looking toward Alex, she saw more hunched figures and earnest faces clustered around him. All the black people and Crystal seemed very anxious to hear what he had to say.
