“That we do.” He grinned. “Hey, let me go get help.”
When the noon meal was over, Samuel joined the others as they gathered beside the dark mound of dirt covering Perleu’s form. Zach had made a cross from two wagon struts. There would be no written epitaph, no words to tell who was cradled in the wet earth. The forest would eventually swallow any evidence of the isolated resting place.
Mattie pressed her face in Zach’s shoulder, but Ella Dessa stood straight beside Samuel, her hands touching the shoulders of her two children. He slipped an arm around her waist, and felt her body relax against him.
It’s going to take time, and it’s all we have left, now. Everything’s gone, and Lord—we didn’t have much in material stuff, but I realize the worth of those standing beside me. I am now Ella Dessa’s husband—in name only. How can I recover anything of her life or win her love and respect?
Luke raised his voice in prayer and thanksgiving for the man buried under the damp earth.
Samuel studied their mixed group. Fatigue and sorrow showed in Ella Dessa’s blue eyes and thin face—but no more than in all the adults. The Whitakers’ children were malnourished, reflecting the weeks they went without ample food, waiting for their mother’s emotional state to heal. Amos and Hannah clung to Ella Dessa, probably wondering what they would face in coming days. Aga, alone in the world, cuddled Albery. Zach had his arm draped over his wife’s big shoulders, holding her.
As the prayer ended, Luke said, “The children and women should ride in the wagon. Samuel, why don’t you handle it? Zach and I will take turns riding the horse to start out, then we can do some switching around.”
“How far do we have?” Zach asked.
Luke shook his head. “Perleu was vague with directions. We’ll put two oxen to pulling. Tie the third one and Milly to the wagon. The river is to the east, and we don’t want to stray into any swamps.”
“A man we met spoke of the settlement, but he called it Soak-Rum,” Mattie said. “Think it’s the same?” Her chubby fingers tried smoothing her fuzzy red hair.
“Samuel, the old settler’s map!” Ella Dessa turned to him. “It’s in my small trunk—in the wagon! The map will be dry.”
They slid the trunk out of the wagon. Ella Dessa rummaged through it, pulled out the folded, charcoal-lined drawing, and handed it to Luke.
He smiled. “There’s a circle drawn and the name So-cum lettered in. He knew ’bout it.” His finger traced the wandering line drawn to indicate the river going to the village of Tampa on the west coast. “Samuel, can you tell where we are?” Luke asked.
“I can guess. We’ve angled west, away from that river. The lake it feeds off is now north of us? Look, see where we’ve got to go?” He held the map so Zach and Luke could get an idea. “If this is drawn close to truth.”
“It’s not far,” Zach yelped, waving his hat in the air. “Gotta be!”
Ella Dessa stared at the map. “He has a note sayin’ the land’s high in that area. Where do you think we were to begin with?”
Luke’s finger touched a spot. “He has a fort drawn in here, but it’s deserted. My guess is … we started from here, below that fort a-ways.”
“Mark it,” Ella Dessa said, going to pick a small piece of coal from the fire pit. “Just touch it to the map. Thanks.” She smiled up at him. “That’s my deserted cabin. Now, I’ll always know where it was.”
“It’s a wild guess, Ella.” Luke chuckled.
“That’s fine. It’ll always be by the mark from now on. Like a past homeland we’ll remember. Now—put a dot where you think Perleu’s grave is. Also, mark where Mattie’s twins are. Thanks.”
“We may have a couple days travel with all the trees down,” Samuel said. “We’ll be hacking a path the whole way.”
Ella smiled as Samuel touched her shoulder.
“Ella Dessa, I’m glad you remembered that settler’s map. I thought of it as useless.”
Zach slapped his hat against his leg and plopped it back on his head. His round face stretched in a comical smile. “Soak-rum, So-cum … whatever! Here we come! Anyone ridin’, climb aboard.”
The disheveled, hopeful group headed out through ankle-deep, leaf-covered water and turned northwest to higher ground. Under the debris was the indication of the old trail. Luke and Zach took turns walking ahead, clearing a path for the rickety wagon. Progress was slow, but the sky cloudless. No rain hampered them, and their spirits lifted. The children played tag and laughed with each other, happy to be free from the confinement of the past few days.
Hours later, the oxen pulled the wagon through a small stream. Samuel studied the faint map again. “We’ll be going between these two bodies of water … lakes. I think we should camp south of them.” He folded the precious paper and put it in his pocket.
Ella Dessa stepped close to him and tucked her small hand in his. Her smile warmed his heart and brought hope for their future.
The weary travelers met no one and made an early camp. The atmosphere was subdued as they ate their meager evening meal around a small campfire, hoping not to draw attention to themselves. There was no rain, and stars lit the sky over their heads. They all knew it was drawing close to the last time Luke would be with them, but they avoided the subject.
Morning brought another sunny day. The men often called a halt while they cut fallen trees out of the way. It broke up the constant trudging through the woods and soggy, flat seeps. The children got to know each other and continued to play along the way, pushing aside the trauma. The weather felt milder, with no soaring temperatures.
It was late afternoon when the weary oxen pulled the wagon onto another muddy trail and stopped with bowed heads. They could see where someone had recently cleared away broken tree limbs. The prints of a horse’s hooves showed. Close by, the sound of an axe rang out and announced human activity. A dog barked, and Wolf perked his ears.
Luke held up his hand.
The end of the journey was evident in the well-traveled path under the wagon. Ahead of them was relative safety and new people to share hardships with, but it meant the parting of ways.
Ella fought tears. Her boots sank in sandy ground. They stood in the meager shade of hurricane-damaged oaks.
Hannah grabbed her hand. “Mama, are we almost there? Can we build a new cabin?”
“We don’t know.” Ella tried to find the right words. “Up ahead is a settlement. It’s through those trees, but it means … Luke must leave us.”
“Why?” The girl frowned.
The others listened as Ella tried to explain. “Honey, there are men who would want to send Luke back … to where he was hurt an’ whipped.”
How do you explain to a child the color of someone’s skin made him or her less of a human? Why do I hav’ta break her heart an’ her trust in mankind?
“Aren’t those men dead?” Tears filled her wise blue eyes.
“There are others. So, ’cause of that, Luke cain’t go with us.” Ella’s throat tightened.
Aga gave a soft sob.
“Then let’s not go there!” Hannah said, stomping her foot.
Luke walked over and tapped her head playfully with one big finger. “Hannah, it’s been nice being with you and your folks, but now, I’ve got to follow a different path. But someday, I’ll surprise you and Amos. It might not be until you’re all grown up, but I’ll do it. Will you watch and pray for me?”
Hannah’s bottom lip quivered, but she nodded.
Amos hugged one of Luke’s legs. “I love you,” he said, not quite understanding.
Luke smiled. “You know what? Amos, you’ll soon be big enough to go bear hunting.”
Ella held back her tears as Luke said his good-byes to Zach and Mattie. He then laid his huge hand on Albery’s black, curly head but spoke directly to Aga. “You are a wonderful mother, in spite of what life has been.” He took a deep breath and placed his large fingers under her chin. “Look at me. Before this group, I want to ask you something. Our lives h
ave some of the same evil staining them. I can’t be sure of what the future days or months will bring. But I am giving you the right of a choice, as a free woman would have. I am asking you to go with me and become my wife.”
Gasps were audible from those standing around them. Aga’s eyes grew huge, and her shaking hand covered her mouth.
“The trail will be rough, and we’ll go as fast as you can travel with the baby. There’s nothing prepared for the journey. I can’t make any promises we’ll even live to see the end.”
Tears flowed down Aga’s face.
“Yes,” she whispered, and then she said it louder. “Yes! I want to go! I’ll be your wife. I have no fear—I now know God walks with me.”
There was no stopping the others from surging forward to hug and wish them well.
Turning to Samuel, Luke held out his hand. “Samuel, may God’s peace guide you to a new place to call home. God bless the family you now have.”
Samuel smiled and gripped the tall man’s hand. “Luke, thank you for all you’ve done to protect and help Ella Dessa and the children when things were so awful. Words can’t say enough. God be with you.”
Luke turned to gaze at Ella Dessa. He studied her face and the bumpy scars marring her neck. “Walk with me for a moment?”
She nodded and walked with him to the edge of the forest. Her mud-stained skirt swished through the tall grass. Her heart ached to the point of bursting. This cain’t be happenin’! She didn’t want to say good-bye. Oh, Lord, why must it be so? Why cain’t the world be different? He’s a friend an’ my heart’s breakin’.
Luke stopped and gazed down at her. “Ella Dessa McKnapp, you’re strong. That which lies within your heart and soul will carry you throughout your life. The scars on your neck and the sprinkling of freckles across your nose don’t diminish your inner beauty. You stood by Jim through a rough time. I’m sorry you lost him. But you now have another fine husband. I see the never-ending respect he has for you. And I see your love growing, fortifying into a strong bond. I hope you’ll be accepted by the people over that hill—the ones you’ll walk amongst today. I will call you ‘friend’ forever.”
“Luke, where will you go?”
“South.” His dark eyes studied the clear blue sky. “We’re going to the large swamp—as fast as we can travel. I have Seminole friends who fled there. Aga and the baby need a safe haven. I don’t want her captured. I will make her my wife.”
“She loves you. I wish you both the best. I cain’t say thanks enough.” Ella clung to his large hand, tears filling her eyes. “That morning by the river … with the Indians … I would’ve died.” She squeezed his hand. “And then those slave catchers … your presence and strength kept us all safe! We owe you so much!”
“It’s time we go.” He placed a finger under her chin and made her look up. “Dry your tears.” His unusual, amber eyes studied her face. “There’s a good man waiting for you back there on the trail, and two wonderful children who love their mother. Whether you settle here or continue back to Georgia, my thoughts and prayers go with you.”
She tried to smile.
His wide finger wiped tears from her cheeks. “Ella Dessa, you have treated Aga as part of your family. She has healed under your care and love.”
“She’ll make a good wife.”
“I know she will. Please, pray for us as we leave.” He raised his hand and motioned for Aga to join him.
The girl lifted her hand in farewell to those standing by the wagon and almost ran to Ella’s arms. She held up a blanket-wrapped bundle. “Look what they did! They said we needed dis stuff. Even moccasins Mattie didn’t want!” she gasped, pointing back at the group by the wagon. “Ella Dessa, thank you! My life … it’s been given back to me! God bless you! I’ll never forget you.”
Ella kissed Albery’s soft cheek and hugged Aga. “Take care of your little one. May you have a wonderful life!”
Luke reached for Aga’s bundle, and the two of them hurried toward the thick woods, where they paused. Luke placed the bundle on the ground, and his arms lifted, pulling the blousy, dirty-white shirt over his dark stomach and chest.
Ella watched the shirt shrug free from his wide shoulders and float to the ground like a snowy egret stretching its wings to land.
She smiled at the sight as the couple slipped out of sight.
“Peace be with you, Luke.”
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