Shadows on the Wind by Rita Gallagher

Author:Rita Gallagher [Gallagher, Rita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-49079-7
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2008-12-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

“So Talbot didn't know about the Olympian” Jared was saying as Melanie and Nat. entered the house.

“He filed against the Mirimarl”

“Aye, sor!” Stokes answered.” ‘N by time they searched th’ Mirimar, th’ Olympia had th’ stragglers aboard 'n was nearly half a’ hour out on th’ way ter Canader!”

Jared turned accusing eyes on Nat.

“You placed our women in jeopardy by taking slaves on the Mirimarl”

“Wait, Jared,” Nat said calmly. “Let me explain. The Olympia carried fugitives, but a few stragglers arrived moments after she shipped out last night. We had to take them at the last minute. I sent word to Captain Hawkes to await us here at Marblehead in order to transfer them”

Melanie realized then that she had not been mistaken. It was a child's cry she'd heard in the night! And James had told the truth about Nat's involvement with fugitive slaves.

“How did Talbot know the Mirimar carried runaway slaves?” Jared asked.

“He was talkin’ to th’ crew at the wharf las’ evenm’,” Stokes volunteered. “Mayhap, some o’ th^ crew…”

Nat shot him a keen glance: “Look into itl”

“Aye, cap'n!”

“Then, Captain Hawkes's anxiety was because of his order to wait at Marblehead instead of immediately putting out to Canada,” Jared pursued.

Nathaniel nodded.

“Hawkes was fearful when a Marblehead sympathizer told him of the planned search and seizure of one of my ships. His receipt of my order to await the Mirimar was even more alarming.

“Paul Lanier was late to dine with us because of a meeting with our informer/’ Nat continued. “He told me Talbot filed against the Mirimar, but I was unconcerned, for I had no intention of shipping fugitives on our voyage up the coast. When we reached the shallop, Stokes told me of stragglers hidden aboard the Mirimar. Their very lives depended on reaching the Olympia and sailing to safety in Canada. I sent Stokes to alert Paul and order Hawkes to await our arrival.”

“Were you not doubling your chance of discovery; endangering both ships by having the Olympia stand by?”

“Yes, Jared … in a sense. However, I knew Paul would see to it. Stokes went straight to him after seeing us off at the pier last night. Paul sent a message to our agent with Marblehead Harbor Patrol, who changed time on the search papers, allowing us well past the estimated time of arrival; time to transfer the stragglers and allow the Olympia another hour to set sail. The same messenger delivered my order to Captain Hawkes to await us, but failed to tell him it was the Mirimar a search claim had been filed against.”

Nathaniel sat back in his chair and took a deep breath.

“Thus,” he said with a grin, “favorable winds and no unforeseen circumstances gave us well over two hours at Marblehead before the search order became effective.” He reached for his pipe. “I told Stokes to have a horse ready at the livery stable and when the Olympia sailed and the Mirimar was searched and released, to ride like the wind and notify me.

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