Come August, Come Freedom by Gigi Amateau

Author:Gigi Amateau [Amateau, Gigi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5658-4
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 2012-03-04T16:00:00+00:00

GABRIEL WITHSTOOD Thomas Henry’s wickedness, but Brookfield hardly withstood the new master’s mismanagement and neglect. For Gabriel, the year was barbaric. He never thought of running, because of his love for Nanny. Finally, due to the urging of Mrs. Ann Prosser and the dwindling of Brookfield’s funds, Thomas Henry relented, and, for a second time, Gabriel was granted permission to marry Nan.

Kin from all around the countryside — Henrico, Hanover, Caroline, and Richmond — were fixing to gather for the nuptials. Mrs. Prosser donated faded blue chintz and a strip of frayed lace toward a new dress for Nanny. Jacob Kent gave Gabriel an old black velvet overcoat when he heard the news. Jupiter promised he would wash his shirt and dry it in the sunshine. Solomon joked that he would gladly take a wife, too, if only Jupiter would also wash out his pants. Now all Gabriel needed was a pig to barbecue for the wedding feast.

Jupiter knew just where to find one.

Solomon and Jupiter accompanied Gabriel to Absalom Johnson’s farm for the securing of Nanny’s wedding pig. Isaac refused to go along. At the time, Jupiter was hired out to Johnson on land rented from Colonel Wilkinson. Jupiter knew the farm well — where spiders hid from the light, where the best pig slept, and where Johnson napped in the late afternoon. Solomon went to watch out, to create a diversion should the need arise.

By the letter of the law, Absalom Johnson’s pig was not Gabriel’s to take, though everyone in Henrico embraced the more pliable spirit of the law. Out in the country, moderation abided when livestock went missing. If no man got caught stealing, the theft was most often overlooked, but bunglers had best beware.

In the broad light of day, Jupiter slipped under the split-rail fence. He dove for the fattest pig and handed the prize across the fence to Gabriel. The boys congratulated themselves at the easy pickings, but the boys celebrated too soon.

Gabriel did not run but walked from Johnson’s barnyard with the pig under his arm. Looking down the wrong end of the lane, Solomon missed Absalom Johnson coming around the back side of the barn. Jupiter didn’t see him, nor did Gabriel. The red-haired man — a newcomer to Henrico — possessed no land of his own but possessed of his own a temper, an ego, and something to prove. With cursing and flailing and a high-pitched squeal, Johnson pursued Gabriel and the hog.

The farmer called out after Gabriel, “Thief! Thief!” and ordered Gabriel to set down the pig. When confronted, Gabriel tried to persuade Johnson to consider the animal a small gift and invited the farmer to the upcoming nuptials.

Johnson only yelled louder, this time yelling, “Damned thief!”

Gabriel held fast to the hog. “A fair trade,” he said, and then suggested Johnson consider the swine repayment in full for the calf taken from Brookfield by Johnson’s own bondmen just last Saturday.

Everyone knows who took that steer from us last week, Gabriel thought.

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