Storm Clouds Rolling In

by Ginny Dye

  Sarah stared into her eyes. “You got the healin’ touch, Miss Carrie. I been watchin’ you a long time. You, for sho, got the healin’ touch.”

  “I want to, Sarah. Oh, how I want to.”

  “Trust me, girl. You got it!” Having delivered her final word, Sarah rose again and began to walk further into the woods.

  Carrie followed, gazing around her at the lush undergrowth. Ferns, nestled in the shady nooks of protective trees waved their fronds in the early morning stillness. Summer wildflowers raised their heads and drank in the early morning dew. “Do you know what all the plants are, Sarah?”

  “I be knowin’ most of them.”

  “What kind of tree is this?” Carrie asked as she stopped to tip her head back to get a good luck at the tree towering over her.

  Sarah moved back to join her. “That be a maple tree,” Sarah said with a smile. “It be one of my favorite trees. In the spring it sends down little whirligigs for the chillun to play with. In the fall it blazes with a color that makes you ache inside. God done made that tree a real special one.”

  “I want to learn all the plants, Sarah,” Carrie said impulsively, suddenly very glad to be out in the woods, away from the confines of the house.

  “Good,” Sarah said shortly. “That’s what we be out here for. By the time we get done out here in these woods you’re gonna be knowin’ all the growin’ things. But you got to know more than just what they be. You gots to know the right time to pick what you be lookin’ for. You gots to know how to take care of it. You gots to know what to do with it. You got a passel of learnin’ to do, Miss Carrie.”

  Carrie continued to follow Sarah into the woods. Finally, they broke out into a wild field lush with growth. Sarah walked more slowly, and then stopped. Carrie came up beside her.

  “This here be the yarrow plant, Miss Carrie. Get a good look at it.”

  Carrie bent close to examine the plant. The stem was covered with a sort of staircase of blue-green leaves split up into many teeth like a comb. Its flowers were clustered together into little white parasols.

  “Sometimes them flowers be pink. The thin’ to look for is them leaves. You’ll know it ever’ time that way. Some of the healers call it thousandleaf. You got it in your head, girl?”

  Carrie nodded. “I think so.”

  “Good, but just knowin’ how to find it ain’t gonna do you no good. To most folks it just be a pretty flower. That be because they don’t know its magic!” Sarah’s eyes glowed.

  Carrie stared at the plant and waited for her to continue. It certainly didn’t look magic.

  “This plant here be good for a lot of thin’s. We’s goin’ to take some back for yo mama ‘cause it be good to fight that fever she got. Fever be awful hard on the body and the heart. This here little plant be good for the heart, too.”

  Carrie looked at the yarrow with increased interest. “What do you do with it?”

  “Not so fast!” Sarah chided. “You still gots to know what it does.”

  “It does more?”

  Sarah nodded. “Them thin’s I told you. They just be the extras. The yarrow really shines when it comes to stoppin’ bleedin’. It stops bleedin’ better than any plant there is. Least ways, any plant I know ‘bout.” She reached out and took hold of the flowering plant. “This plant be too far along for it to do any good. You’s got to find the plants that the flowers ain’t opened up yet.” She scanned the area around her until her face lit up and she moved to a patch a little farther on. “These ones here. They be perfect. See how the flowers be just startin’ to open? Now’s the time to pick the leaves and the big flower tops.”

  “How did you learn all this, Sarah?” Carrie asked wonderingly.

  Old Sarah shrugged. “The magic just gets passed on,” she said simply. She reached forward, snapped the tops off several plants, and then picked a large handful of leaves. “Put these in your bag, Miss Carrie. You can learn what to do with them later.”

  Carrie did as she was directed, enthralled by what she was learning. She did have doubts about the plants actually working, but the medicine the doctors were sending her was doing nothing. She was willing to try anything.

  Sarah was already moving away from her, this time looking up. Carrie followed her example, but had no idea what she was looking for. Finally, Sarah came to a halt under a large tree at the edge of the woods. “There!” Triumphantly, she pointed upward.

  Carrie stared. “Mistletoe?” she asked in disbelief.

  “Ah, you know ‘bout mistletoe already?”

  Carrie laughed. “I know they hang it from doorways at Christmas and girls wander underneath hoping they will be kissed.”

  Sarah laughed, too, and then sobered. “Can you get me some?” Her face said she wasn’t going to say anymore.”

  Carrie shrugged, pulled up her skirts and nimbly climbed to the first limb. She had been climbing trees for as long as she could remember. She had decided years ago that she wasn’t going to let long skirts keep her from doing what she wanted to. Straining upward, she was able to grasp a large bunch of mistletoe and yank it loose from its grip on the tree. Face flushed, she jumped down from the tree and handed it to Sarah.

  Sarah grinned and held it up like a prize. “This here magic plant needs to be picked before any of its white berries pop out on it. Now, Miss Carrie, you listen to me careful on this one. Mistletoe be a magic plant for sure, but only for them who knows how to use it. Too much of this plant be poison to a person. You’s has to know how to use it!” she repeated. Then she pointed to the leaves. “There ain’t no berries here. Them berries - they carry the most poison. You don’t never want to use them berries!”

  Carrie nodded quietly, drinking in the words of the older woman. Every part of her mind was alert and keyed in to what she was learning.

  Sarah looked at her closely and seemed satisfied she was getting it. “Your Mama be having bad headaches. She be havin’ dizzy spells, too?” Carrie nodded. “This here mistletoe will help her. Put it in your bag.” Then she was off again.

  Carrie’s head was spinning by the time they got back to the Quarters just before noon. From now on she would take a notebook and pencil out on their expeditions. Never had she tried to cram so much information into her head in such a short amount of time.

  “Now we learn what to do with all this,” Sarah said.

  Carrie shook her head to clear it and watched as the old lady unloaded their treasures out of the bags. Yarrow, mistletoe, onion, mint, poppy, broom, thistle, dandelion and various other plants came spilling out to pile up on the table.

  Suddenly, Sarah looked up. “You be hungry, Miss Carrie?”

  Carrie nodded faintly, suddenly aware of how weak and famished she was. She had done no physical exercise since returning from Philadelphia, and her legs ached from their hours of tramping through the woods.

  Sarah nodded, eyeing her closely. “You go’s and get you a good meal and some rest. Check on your mama. Come back tonight - then old Sarah will show you how to draw the magic out of these here plants.”

  Carrie smiled weakly. “I think that’s a good idea. I’m pretty tired.” She stood up slowly.

  Sarah, still as fresh as when the morning had started, rose to put a hand on her arm. “You’re a good girl to want to help your mama. But you’s got to take care of yo’self too, Miss Carrie. It ain’t good for you to be cooped up in that house all the time.” She frowned. “Tell you what. Ever’ other mornin’, you meet me here. We’ll go out into the woods. Ain’t but one way to learn the magic - you got to get out and meet them magic plants.

  Carrie smiled at her old friend. “I would like that Sarah. Thank you.” She turned toward the door and then swung back. “I’ll be back tonight.”

  Sarah nodded and continued to sort through the plants, crooning to them as if they were precious loved ones.

  Rose was standing on the porch when Carrie broke out into the lawn around the house. Carrie sped across the grass. Rose saw the fear on he
r face and smiled reassuringly. “Your mama is fine. Marse Cromwell came in for a while and wanted to spend some time with her.”

  Relieved, Carrie dropped down on the front steps.

  Rose laughed at her exhausted expression. “Keeping up with my mama is rather a challenge, isn’t it?”

  Carrie smiled. “She is a remarkable woman. My head is swimming with everything I learned today.”

  “Do you think those plants are really magic?” Rose asked skeptically.

  Carrie shrugged. “I know a lot of people who would turn their nose up at it. I also know medicine doesn’t have all the answers. I don’t see any reason to throw out all the old just because something new has come along. It’s fascinating,” she said. “And I love learning it.” Briefly she told Rose of Sarah’s plan. “I’m going to do it. Will you sit with my mother?”

  “Certainly,” Rose replied. Then she looked at Carrie closely. “Go sit on the porch swing. I’m going to bring you something to eat. You look all done in.”

  Carrie stood slowly. “Thank you. I guess I am a little tired.”

  “Here.” Rose reached into her pocket and pulled out a thin envelope. “This will give you something to do while I get your food.” Carrie reached for it, and a wide smile exploded on her face. Rose smiled and disappeared into the house. Once inside, she leaned against the hallway wall and struggled to bring her raging thoughts under control. What she would give to be able to have a relationship like free people. It was obvious Carrie was in love with Robert Borden. At least it was to her. She was sure Carrie didn’t know it yet. When she did there would be nothing to keep them apart. They would never have to worry about one of them being sold and never seeing each other again. A noise caused her to straighten and continue her movement down the hall. She had fought her bitter feelings for weeks now. Would there be no end to them?

  Carrie settled down on the porch and spread her dress around her. She fingered the envelope, closed her eyes, and allowed the fragrant breeze to wash over her tired body. The smell of fresh cut hay filled the air with its heavy perfume. She had always loved haying time when the tall grass lay in thick swashes on the ground, drying in the sun, waiting to be piled into huge mounds to provide feed for the animals through the winter months. After several long moments she opened her eyes, refreshed. She smiled and tore into Robert’s letter.

  Dear Carrie,

  I am sorry to hear from your father’s latest correspondence that your mother is still so ill. I hope daily for her renewed health and my mother sends her deep concerns and best wishes to her.

  Carrie frowned and put down the letter. Why was her father corresponding with Robert? Her brow cleared when she remembered Robert was helping her father with some of his political business since Thomas was not free to leave the plantation. All of that seemed so far away. The conventions - secession - Lincoln - they all seemed to belong to a different time - a time before her mother consumed every waking hour and thought. She continued reading....

  I have tried to get away but so much here at Oak Meadows demands my attention. My brother has left to pursue his dreams in Richmond, so I find myself with more to do than I have time for. I will be glad for the harvest. Once again I will have time that is my own.

  The real purpose of this letter is to let you know I will be coming to Cromwell the latter part of September. I have some business to conduct with your Father, and, of course, I am eager to see you once again. I have not forgotten that you promised to give me a tour of Cromwell on horseback. I intend to hold you to your word.

  Sincerely,

  Robert

  TWENTY-FIVE

  Rose was exhausted as she made her way through the shadowy woods. A full moon cast dancing shadows as the wind blew, caressing her with its soft touch. For the first time since she had started her secret school, she had found herself not wanting to go. She was too tired to care right now. The combination of caring for Mistress Cromwell, continuing her regular duties, and fighting the battles raging in her heart had left her physically and emotionally drained. She had nothing left to give others, but she knew her students were counting on her. She had not even gone down to her mama’s for dinner. When the day had ended she had simply fallen across her bed, too exhausted even to sleep. She had simply laid there, staring out her tiny window until the moon told her it was time to leave. Her students were already waiting for her when she arrived.

  “Rose!” Coral exclaimed. “We thought you wasn’t coming.”

  “Weren’t coming,” Rose corrected. “I’m sorry I’m late.” She looked up and her eyes caught Moses’ gaze across the flickering firelight. He said nothing but she knew he was worried about her. Knowing that he cared somehow gave her the energy to do what she had to do. She smiled and settled down next to the fire.

  “You done heard anything about Sadie and the others?”

  “Have you heard anything,” Rose corrected gently. She had become even more adamant about her students speaking correctly. It was necessary to keep up their old way of speaking in the Quarters so as to not arouse suspicion, but when they were here she was determined to make them speak correctly. Another chance for freedom could come at any time, and more of them might be ready. If her only connection with freedom was preparing others for a new life, she wanted to do it right.

  “Have you heard anything about Sadie and the others, Rose?”

  “Good, Coral. But, no, I haven’t. A note came from Adams the other day but Sam didn’t get to look at it, and Marse Cromwell didn’t say anything about it. But we know one thing for certain. As long as Adams is gone, he hasn’t found our friends. Every day moves them that much closer to freedom.” She tried to make her voice sound confident and strong, but she was finding it more difficult to push beyond her fatigue.

  Moses, obviously sensing she was at the end of her rope, leaned forward. “I don’t think we need to do any bookwork tonight.”

  Rose looked at him startled. “What do you mean? That’s what a school is for.”

  “Maybe so,” Moses conceded easily, “but I know one teacher who needs a break from teaching.”

  Rose felt tears sting her eyes, and blinked them back quickly. She stared at Moses wordlessly, not able to think of one thing to say in response to his astute observation.

  Moses grinned triumphantly and looked around at the students. He let the silence of the woods wrap itself around them, and then he began to sing. His deep, bass voice rose to mingle with the shadows swaying around them.

  Come down angel, and trouble the water,

  Come down angel, and trouble the water,

  Come down angel, and trouble the water,

  And let God’s chilluns go.

  The other students smiled and joined in, their voices rising to the heavens in a weave of sorrow and hope. Leaning back and staring into the luminescent moon, they allowed their spirits to soar as song gave them wing.

  Canaan land is the land for me,

  And let God’s chillun go,

  Canaan land is the land for me,

  And let God’s chillun go.

  There was a wicked man

  And let God’s chillun go.

  He kept them children in Egypt land,

  And let God’s chillun go.

  God did say to Moses one day,

  And let God’s chillun go.

  Say Moses go to Egypt land

  And let God’s chillun go.

  And tell Pharoah to let my people go

  And let God’s chillun go.

  And Pharoah would not let them go,

  And let God’s chillun go.

  God did go to Moses’ house

  And let God’s chillun go.

  And God did tell him who he was,

  And let God’s chillun go.

  God and Moses walked and talked

  And let God’s chillun go.

  And God did show him who he was

  And let God’s chillun go.

  As the song rolled to an end, voices faded into the
night and joined with the chorus of frogs and crickets. Rose smiled at Moses across the clearing and raised her clear soprano to lead them on....

  Good Lord, in the mansions above,

  Good Lord, in the mansions above,

  My Lord, I hope to meet my Jesus

  My Lord, in the mansions above.

  If you get to heaven before I do

  Lord, tell my Jesus I’m a comin’ too

  To de mansions above

  My Lord, I’ve had many crosses an’ trials here below,

  My Lord, I hope to meet you

  In de mansions above.

  All the longings of hearts long held in cruel bondage rose on the wind and joined in the grandeur of the night. The moon shone brighter and the air grew softer as the melodious strains spoke the hearts of the people.

  Rose lost all track of time as one song rolled into the next. All she knew was that the pain of her heart found an outlet as her voice rose to pour out her fears and frustrations, just as generations before her had done. Tyranny, torture and suffering had not been able to stop the singing. Song put hope where there was none. It gave courage when there was none to be found.

  Moses finally raised his hand and said in his deep voice. “It’s time to head back to the Quarters.”

  Rose came to with a start. A quick look at the moon told her he was right. They must have been singing for hours! The clearing emptied quickly, each student moving with the hope and purpose the singing had renewed in their hearts. Rose looked up into Moses’ eyes. “Thank you,” she said simply. There was so much more to say, but her heart was too full to find the words.

  Moses looked down into her eyes and smiled gently. Then he reached out and enfolded her in his arms. Rose gave a deep sigh and rested her head on his chest. She knew she was safe. Nothing could touch her when she was with Moses. The moon dropped lower on the horizon as they stood there, denying the reality of their bondage. For just this time, they were free to love and their love knew no bounds.