Martha and the Slave Catchers by Harriet Hyman Alonso

Author:Harriet Hyman Alonso
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical fiction for children 9-12, realistic fiction books for kids 9-12, books for kids age 9 12, books for boys age 9 12, kids books ages 9-12, books for girls age 9 12, books for 8 year old girls, books for 10 year old boys, books for 8 year old boys, books for 10 year old girls, books for 12 year old girls, books for 9 year old girls, books for 12 year old boys, books for 11 year old girls, books for 11 year old boys, books for 9 year old boys, childrens books by age 9 to 12, underground railroad
ISBN: 9781609808013
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Published: 2017-10-30T18:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

AT THE crack of dawn on the appointed day, Martha was ready and waiting for Adam Burke and Charles Murdoch. Her heart fluttered, beating out an internal rhythm: “I’m on my way. I’m on my way.” She couldn’t wait to leave to find Jake and to have an adventure.

“Now, Martha,” her mama warned the night before as, with trembling hands, she gave Martha a rather small carpetbag, “thee must be able to carry the bag easily for long distances, so thee must not take heavy items.”

Martha brought a change of clothing, all lightweight and gray so she would not be conspicuous. She also took her brush for her hair, which now hung down to the middle of her back. She would wear her sunbonnet but included in her bag a shawl even though it was well into June and the Chesapeake area should prove even hotter than New England.

Her mama spoke quickly in short gasps as if she had trouble breathing. “Thee will be traveling some by sea, Martha, and it can get cool. And then there are evenings as well.”

Her mind already on its way south, Martha listened with half an ear. “Yes, Mama.

Whatever you say.”

At the last minute, Martha decided to place in her pocket one of the tiny carved horses her papa had made for Jake and the handkerchief Caleb had given her at the Anti-Slavery Fair.

Adam Burke and Charles Murdoch arrived in two carryalls around six o’clock. The sky was already bright with sunshine and Martha’s mood reflected the happy feeling of the weather. Her mama handed her a sack filled with bread, cold meat, cheese, fruit, and a tin cup and hugged her so tightly that Martha had to struggle to free herself.

She was impatient to leave, but her papa took his time embracing her so hard she thought he would squeeze her to death.

“Take care of yourself, Mahthah. Be safe and careful. Please.”

“I shall, Papa, and I’ll see you in just a couple of weeks.”

“Martha,” Adam Burke reminded her as he helped her up onto the seat of the high carriage, “remember rule number one for thy work on the railroad. Do not . . . I repeat . . . do not act independently. Thee has always been an obedient girl. Now thee will be part of a very well-planned rescue that relies on everyone working together. Listen carefully to the people in charge. Do as they say without questioning them. They have great experience and know what they’re doing.”

“I shall, Mr. Burke. I promise.”

As if as an afterthought, Adam Burke gave Martha an envelope. “And here are two sets of forged identity papers showing thee and Jake as free people.”

Martha was surprised. “Why would we need these?”

“Because in the South, people may see thee as colored.”

“In that case,” she asked, puzzled, “how shall I act?”

“As thee does now, I’d imagine.”

Martha quickly placed the envelope in her carpetbag. Looking up, she saw Becky running up their dirt road.

“Wait, Martha,” she called. “I brought you some blackberry cakes for your journey.

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