1666 by Lora Chilton

Author:Lora Chilton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sibylline Press

Ah’SaWei

(Golden Fawn)/Rebecca

SPRING, 1668

MOUNT FAITH MANOR, BARBADOS

Our lives changed completely after MaNa was healed of her fever. Mistress Sarah wanted to keep a close eye on her as she recovered. MaNa, who was now called Mary, moved into one of the bedrooms that had been empty since both of the Whites’ children died of fever. I was elevated from being a field slave to the better station of house slave. And because of that, I was moved from my hut near the cane fields to a small room at the back of the main house that I shared with Lucy, another house slave. Mary’s care was taken over by Mistress Sarah while I learned how to wash laundry and began to cook in the English way, assisting the African cook, Betty.

At the next Sunday meeting of the Friends, as Master White called the believers of his religion, the Whites invited Mary and me to attend and sit with them, instead of with the other slaves. The men sat on one side of the room, the women together opposite the men so at this meeting, MaNa and I were sitting beside Mistress Sarah. I had been in attendance previously, curiously watching as the participants sat quietly, often with their eyes closed, praying silently. Master White explained to me that they were waiting for God to inspire them to speak. It could take quite a while for the words to come and the quiet made me sleepy, startling to wakefulness when the message was finally spoken. At this meeting, however, Master White could hardly contain himself, and within minutes of the silence commencing, he rose to his feet with a word.

“I rise to speak with thee, my fellow believers, God has worked a miracle at Mount Faith Manor in recent days. One of our newest slaves, Rebecca,” he paused and looked at me, “has been convinced to become a believer in Christ Jesus.”

I could feel myself flush with the attention caused by the announcement as the other congregants turned to look at me.

He continued, “Rebecca’s young daughter, Mary, became very ill with fever sickness and Sarah and I feared she would die, just as our two precious children had succumbed. As we thus prayed for the child to recover or for her soul to be received by our Lord, Rebecca prayed with us.”

Mistress Sarah put her arms protectively around Mary but looked at me and smiled.

“As thee can see, Mary was healed and is with us today, praise be to God.” With that emotional disclosure, he sat down, trembling.

A quiet murmuring rippled through the group and again silence. Mary fell asleep, her head resting on Mistress Sarah, who was caressing my daughter’s hair. I was filled with conflicting emotions. I was grateful my cherished MaNa was alive, but in that moment, I wished she was asleep on my shoulder and that I could be the one stroking her head. They were treating us well—but we were still slaves. I did want to believe

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