The Freedom Thief by Mikki Sadil

Author:Mikki Sadil
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: civil war, danger, slavery, teenager, southern us, teenage boy, escape from slavery, plantation owner
Publisher: Books We Love Ltd.

Chapter Eleven

He struggled to keep the fear out of his voice. “How do know my name?”

Her smile was as warm as the cornbread and freshly made coffee she set on the table.

“Thee is not to worry, Benjamin. Thy names are on wanted posters all over, so everyone knows about thee. We are Quakers, and none of my faith believes in slavery, but not all help runaways as we do. For now, please do not worry, just eat and drink. Oh, and Benjamin, thee might wish to wash thy face.” She giggled softly and placed a large bowl of warm water and a cloth beside him.

Ben ducked his head and washed the ashes and garlic from his face and ears. When he figured he was clean again, he placed the cloth back in the bowl and handed it to her.

“Thanks. I’d forgotten I still had this mess on my face.”

Charity left them alone, and for a while, they ate without speaking. Ben turned his coffee cup around and around as he thought, Pa has “wanted” posters out on us already. I wonder how much money he’s offering? The more he’s going to give out to the hunters, the harder it’s going to be to keep clear of them.

Jesse wiped Josiah’s face free of his coffee-milk. “Seems like it’s only chillens try to help us, Bess. First Ben, now this here Charity girl. I purely not know.” He shook his head and rested it on one big hand.

As if on cue, Charity came back in with a man whom she introduced as her father, Adam. The man’s gaunt frame was dressed in a long sleeved, collarless blue shirt tucked into black broadfall pants. His long graying beard almost covered his suspenders, and his grim face didn’t seem to be very welcoming. However, when he spoke, his deep voice was low and friendly.

“Welcome. All who come to this house are friends. We ask no questions here. Come, follow me, please.”

The sun was beginning to come over the trees as Adam led them outside to a shed. He opened the door, and then a trap door in the floor. They followed him down several steps into a root cellar. He opened a door to a smaller room, where barrels and crates of what could only have been rotting vegetables and fruits were stacked high against the walls and into the middle of the room. He pushed aside some of the barrels and led them to the darkest corner of the room. There were no windows, but the lamp he carried cast its light upon piles of blankets and quilts on the floor.

“Here thee may sleep. Thee will not be disturbed. If strangers come, Charity will come and knock twice on the door above. Thee will be safe, I promise that. When it is safe again, Charity will come once more. Until she attends thee again, thee must remain here. Sleep well.”

Without any more talk, Adam and Charity left the cellar.

Jesse took a deep breath and muttered, “How we gonna sleep with that smell? It might rightly put my stomach ill.

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