The Freedom Star by Jeff Andrews

Author:Jeff Andrews [Andrews, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Historical
ISBN: 9780985722609
Google: CNOuMQEACAAJ
Amazon: 0985722606
Barnesnoble: 0985722606
Goodreads: 15813564
Publisher: Eiger Press
Published: 2012-07-14T18:30:00+00:00

Isaac stumbled, then caught himself and fell in step behind the horse.

_____

The horse plodded at an easy gait, but weeks with neither sustenance nor exercise had left Isaac weakened. With wrists chained, he hung his head and staggered behind the animal, glancing up only once—when they passed the Patterson farm. He stumbled and fell as he searched the familiar house. The horse dragged Isaac by his arms until he was able to regain his footing.

Was Raleigh there? What if she was watching? If she saw him in chains, would she ever want to marry him?

Clancy yanked the rope. Isaac focused again on the rutted road.

“We camp here.” Clancy reined his mount in a small grove two miles above the Patterson farm. Twilight settled over the fields.

“Over by that tree.” Clancy waved the shotgun at a sturdy maple. “Set on down so’s I can tie you good. You ain’t running on me like you done on that Day fella. Serves him right, trusting a nigger . . .”

“I didn’t run. Is you taking me back to Mr. Day?”

“Shut up. You belong to the McConnells and that’s where you’re going. Patrick—that’s Master Patrick to you—he’s in charge now, and he hired me bring back his property.”

Clancy tied Isaac to the tree, then gathered wood and lit a fire. He unsaddled his horse and pulled a small sack from his saddlebags. Settling by the fire, Clancy popped a corndodger in his mouth, washing it down with what looked to be whiskey.

“Y’all got some food for Isaac? I’s right hungry too.”

Clancy tossed down the sack and stormed toward him. “I ain’t listening to you flap your gums, so shut up.” He smacked Isaac with the back of his hand.

Blood trickled from Isaac’s nose. He shook his head. The ringing slowly cleared. Clancy towered above him, hands on his hips. Dark, ragged hair and a scraggly beard encircled the man’s pocked face. A scar ran from his lip to his right ear. Something dangled from around his neck. A star? His wooden star? It wasn’t lost; Clancy must have taken it during their last scuffle. Isaac strained against his ropes.

Clancy’s eyes darted suddenly to his right. He put a finger to his lips. “Shut up, boy, or I’ll cut you wide open.” He snatched his shotgun and slipped into the bushes.

Isaac turned. To his left, someone, or something, was sneaking up on the camp. A bush parted, then a short man in a homespun brown jacket slipped into the clearing holding a pistol.

“Looks to be all clear, Mr. Dornhoffer,” the little man whispered. “He must be off answering nature’s call. Hurry.” The little man crept to where Isaac was tied and began working on the knots. “Boy, you keep quiet or you’ll get what your friend back there in Yanceyville got.” He raised up, peering into the bushes. “Mr. Dornhoffer, will you please hurry?”

The gangly man in the blue suit looked all around before he stepped into the clearing. He held a pepperbox derringer in one hand.

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