Freedom by Catherine Johnson

Author:Catherine Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic UK
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

7

I woke with a start. It was dark outside now but the fire burned orange in the grate. There were footsteps on the stairs, men talking loudly. I sat up. I could not help feeling afraid. Was I really safe here with these people? I heard Mr Furman’s voice, and relaxed a little. I stepped softly to the door to listen. Four or five men, maybe six, all talking across each other. On their way downstairs, by the sound of it. There was mention of the Zong and I racked my brains to remember when I had last heard that name. By the time I opened the door a crack, the men had gone downstairs.

I crept to the head of the stairs and listened to the group of men gathered in the hall. Mr Furman was talking to a soberly dressed white man with a small powdered wig. He clapped him on the back. “Mr Sharp –” he turned to another man that I couldn’t see from where I was perched on the stairs – “Mr Equiano. I have no doubt that with the help of Mr Kelsall here we will turn the tide. We will make the British see what the cost of slavery is, and that we are human, not cargo.”

“What I saw was a most horrid brutality, sirs…” said another voice. I could not see the man who spoke, but my ears pricked. Didn’t I know him? And that name – Mr Kelsall. Could that really be the mate? The same man from The Brave Venture? I heard the street door open. The men were leaving, Mr Furman was saying his farewells.

I went to follow but Frances Sancho came out across the landing with a candle and called to me.

“Nathaniel?”

“I have to go, madam!” I started down the stairs.

I ran down just as Mr Furman was bolting the front door shut.

“Nathaniel! Whoa there, young fellow.” He blocked the door. “You’re not going anywhere on your own.”

“But I need to know – that Mr Kelsall? Is he a sailor?”

Mr Furman looked at me. Frances set down her candle. They seemed so calm, but all I could think was that my only link to Henry Hughes was walking further away with every moment.

“I think he can help me! My friend Henry Hughes, Kelsall knows him, he could take me back to Shadwell, to the inn…”

I was talking too fast, I knew.

“Take a breath, young man.” Mr Furman put a hand on my shoulder and steered me towards a high stool by the shop counter. “How do you know Kelsall?”

Frances set the candle down. They both studied me.

“You weren’t a survivor on the Zong? Another witness? Did you see all those people thrown overboard?” Frances spoke softly, but I could see the shock on her face.

I shook my head. She nodded; I think she was relieved on my account.

“Mr Kelsall needs his rest, and so do you.” Mr Furman leant upon the shop counter.

“If Mr Kelsall could tell Henry where

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