by Ginny Dye
“Where are the mares and the new crop of foals?” Mark asked suddenly.
Robert was happy to let him change the subject. He could not explain the feeling of foreboding that had come over him, but he was determined to push it away. “They are all in a back pasture. Clint moved them this morning so we could bring the yearlings up front for you and Susan. He is working with the new foals right now.”
“Are the new ones as wonderful as the yearlings?”
“Just as wonderful, and more of them,” Robert confirmed happily. He had used the money from Mark and Susan’s purchase of the yearlings last fall to buy additional mares. There had just been enough time to breed them. Nothing gave him more joy than watching the new foals playing in the fields. He had increased his herd size by fifty percent in just one year.
“I told some of my friends about my purchase,” Mark revealed.
Robert nodded. “I know. I’ve heard from several of them.” He smiled broadly. “Thank you. All of them will be here in the next few months. If we’re lucky, they will buy all this year’s foals.” It still stunned him to realize how true his projection might actually turn out to be. He was years ahead of where he thought he would be at this point in his business.
“All of them?” Mark asked, seeming to sense there was something he wasn’t saying.
“Not all of them,” Robert replied. “There are a few that carry every attribute Eclipse could possibly pass on to his offspring. I am keeping those here to deepen the quality of the stock.” He also told Mark about Miles bringing Chelsea down from Canada to breed with Eclipse to create a new breed of carriage horse.
Mark listened closely. “I’ve heard of the Cleveland Bay breed. In fact, my ancestors raised them in northern England. I remember reading journals about their experiences, and about the results of their breeding. They are fine animals.”
“Chelsea is special,” Robert agreed. “I can hardly wait to see her offspring next year. Miles will own the first one, but I will keep the next one.”
A long silence fell on the porch as the men looked out over the plantation. Susan and Amber had disappeared into the barn sometime during their discussion.
“You’re living your dream,” Mark finally said.
“I am,” Robert agreed. “This is all I ever wanted to do with my life. I can still hardly believe I’ve been lucky enough to do it.” He paused. “Sometimes I feel guilty. Most of the South is struggling so hard. Men can’t find work. People are hopeless. And here I am, doing what I always dreamed of doing because Abby and Thomas had the money to make it happen.”
“She had the money, but you have made it happen with your hard work,” Mark replied. “And yes, there are many people suffering, but you have found a way to make this plantation an example of what life can be like in the South if people will learn to let go of their hatred and prejudices. That is something to be proud of.”
Robert nodded thoughtfully, thinking of Moses and Rose. Annie. Amber. Clint. Miles. He supposed it should bother him that he was the only white person on the plantation when everyone else was gone, but he no longer saw it that way. He wasn’t sure when he had stopped seeing color; he just knew that now he only saw friends. “I am indeed a lucky man,” he said warmly. He pushed up from his chair. “I say it’s time we see exactly what these young’uns of yours can do.”
Chapter Seventeen
Rose breathed a sigh of relief when school ended. There had been no evidence of vigilantes through the long day that had seemed at times as if it would never end. There had been random carriages, wagons, and men on horseback who had passed the school, but that was no different than any other day, and no one had appeared to be threatening. She tried to tell herself it was safe to relax, but every fiber of her being remained on high alert.
When school ended she didn’t want to alarm the children, but neither did she want them to be careless. “I don’t want any of you going home alone,” she said firmly. “There is no reason to think you won’t be safe, but I want you all to be extra careful.” She allowed her face to express her concern because she wanted to be sure her message was taken seriously. “I want all of you to go in groups of at least five.” She thought that was a number that would make anyone hesitate because it would be too easy for one of the kids to break free and sound the alert. Rose wished she could take every single one of them home herself, but it wasn’t possible.
As she watched all the students leave, she was glad Amber had talked her into letting her miss school so she could present the yearlings to Mark and Susan, because it meant Felicia could sit with her in the carriage. There was no way Rose would allow her to walk back through the woods alone.
“Mama?”
Rose could hear the fear in Felicia’s voice as she stepped close. She knew the little girl would never lose the image of watching her mother and father be murdered during the Memphis riot. She reached down and gripped her hand. “It’s going to be fine,” she said confidently, praying that this time Felicia wouldn’t see through her charade. She longed to give the brave child the feeling of security she deserved.
“I was hoping Daddy would come today,” Felicia said in a small voice.
Rose had, too, but she also knew Moses was swamped with work in the tobacco fields, and he had no reason to anticipate trouble. “We’ll be home soon, honey,” Rose replied. She forced herself to not look nervously toward the woods when she stepped into the carriage and picked up the reins. She also forced herself to not urge the horses into a mad gallop to get home sooner. It would only frighten her daughter and draw attention to them. Swallowing her own trepidations, she managed to chat normally about the school day as the carriage rumbled down the road.
Moses was waiting on the porch when they arrived. “You’re home early,” Rose called, glad her voice was steady. She had seldom been so glad to see her towering husband. Just looking at him bolstered her courage.
Moses took one look at her face and jumped off the porch, completely ignoring the steps. “What is it?” he asked.
“Vigilantes,” Felicia burst out, tears following her trembling words.
Moses gathered his daughter close as he looked at Rose. “What happened?” His voice was calm, but his eyes were burning.
“Nothing,” Rose assured him. “That I am aware of,” she corrected, because she didn’t really know if all the students were safely home. She explained that several of her pupils had reported being watched by threatening groups of men in the woods on the way to school.
“Nothing more?” Moses asked keenly.
“Nothing more,” Rose assured him.
“But you believe something more is going to happen,” Moses observed, his eyes locked on her face.
Rose shrugged. “It’s just a feeling.” She knew, just as Moses did, however, that her feelings were usually right. “Something is going to happen.”
“I’ve been feeling it all day,” Moses revealed. “I couldn’t put my finger on what I was feeling, but it was like a warning sound going off inside. I just didn’t know where to look for the trouble.” His voice was disgusted. “I should have sent Jeb and Andy as soon as I suspected something.”
“You had no way of knowing anything was happening,” Rose protested. “And, in fact, nothing did happen.”
“Yet,” Moses added grimly.
Rose agreed with him, so she didn’t bother to correct him. She just moved closer so he could pull her in with the free arm that wasn’t holding Felicia.
********
From his position on the porch, Moses looked down at the group of men he had pulled together. Robert, Mark, Clint, Miles and Gabe stared back up at him. All the plantation hands who had served with him in the war met his eyes grimly. All together there were thirty men. All were armed, and all had determined expressions.
“We don’t know where the trouble is going to be,” Moses said again. He didn’t add that there may not be any trouble at all. He had learned to trust his intuition, and if he had any doubts about
his own, he had absolutely no doubt about his wife’s.
“Should we split up?” Mark asked.
Moses felt a moment of amazement that his commanding officer from the war was asking him for direction, but he accepted the responsibility as he shook his head. “I don’t want to weaken us,” he replied. “I want everyone to spread out along the perimeter of the property so we can anticipate trouble from any direction.”
Robert glanced up at the house.
Mark interpreted his look. “The women are all inside. The children are safe in your room.”
Robert read the question in his eyes. “You’re wondering why we put everyone in there.”
Mark nodded. “Your window looks out on the front. It seems they would be safer if they were deeper in the house.”
Robert hesitated, but decided to tell him the truth. Mark and Susan had become family, and Susan might also have to use the Cromwell secret. “There is a tunnel,” he said very quietly, making certain no one else could overhear him.
Mark’s eyes widened. “From your bedroom?”
“It’s behind a mirror brought over by Cromwell ancestors.”
Mark’s voice was full of admiration. “It’s how Carrie escaped during the war.”
Robert grinned, glad to release some of the tension that had drawn him tight as a bow. “It’s been quite useful in the last five years,” he replied. “We won’t have to worry about anyone in the house coming to harm.”
Mark drew himself up more erectly. “Good. That means we can put all our focus on whatever is going to happen out here.” His voice was full of easy confidence.
Robert wished he felt the same confidence, but there was something gnawing at him.
Mark narrowed his eyes. “You’re worried.”
Robert wanted to deny it, but the best he could manage was a shrug. “We’ve had trouble before. We’ve always dealt with it.”
Silence settled onto the night as all the men spread out about a hundred yards apart, their positions concealed by the dense foliage. The only sounds were hooting owls and the crickets tuning up their orchestra for the evening. It would have been peaceful if the air wasn’t also fraught with tense expectancy.
Robert listened carefully, not wanting to miss any sounds that would identify trouble closing in on them. He knew most of the vigilantes were veterans who were also experienced in nighttime combat. Just the knowledge that he could be awaiting attack by some of the men he had once commanded set every nerve on edge.
Two hours passed. The sun had long set, but a thin layer of clouds had obscured all but a tiny glow from the half-moon riding low on the tree line. Robert tried to relax, but in spite of there being no sign of trouble, every muscle in his body remained tight. He forced himself to breathe slowly, but he recognized the feeling as one he had experienced before every battle.
The first sign of trouble was a wild thrashing in the woods near the barn. Robert watched closely, but doubted the noise was a harbinger of an attack. Whoever it was had no concern for a quiet approach. He knew Moses was close behind the barn.
“Halt!” Moses’ voice split the night with harsh command.
“Mr. Samuels!” A badly frightened voice lifted into the night air. “Is that you?”
Moses stepped out just as a young white boy, about eleven years old, burst from the woods. “What is it?”
The young boy plowed to a stop, struggling to breathe as he stared up with frightened eyes at the towering man before him. “My daddy said not to talk to anyone but Roses’ husband, Mr. Samuels. Is that you?”
“It is,” Moses said grimly. “What is going on?” He laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder to let him know he was safe now.
“It’s the school,” the boy gasped, leaning over to catch his breath. “Men are after it with fire sticks. My daddy said to come get you right away. We was coming home from supper at my grandma’s house when we saw them turn into the schoolyard.”
Robert wondered why the father had sent a young boy on a mission through the dark woods, but there was no time to get answers. The man must have felt like he had no other options.
“You did well, son,” Moses said. He raised his voice. “Robert, I want you to stay here with Mark, Gabe, Miles and Clint. We don’t know for certain that they won’t come here,” he added. “My men? Follow me.”
Moses swung onto his gelding, Champ, and raced down the trail that led to the school.
Robert watched them go and then turned to the young boy. “What’s your name, son?”
“Harvey.” The little boy glanced at the woods. “I should go help my papa.”
Robert admired his courage, but shook his head. “We’ll take care of it,” he promised. “I want you to go into the house where you’ll be safe.”
Harvey looked up at the house, admiration shining through his fear. “In there?”
“Yes.” Robert took his hand and led him up onto the porch. The door opened immediately, and Rose stepped out.
“Mrs. Samuels!”
Rose caught Harvey into a hug, holding him while Robert explained the situation. “Come inside,” Rose said warmly. “Thank you for coming to warn us. My husband will make sure your father is all right. I believe there are some warm cookies coming out of the oven right now,” she said enticingly.
Harvey hesitated, looking back at the menacing, dark woods, and then followed Rose into the house with an expression of relief.
Robert watched him go, glad the boy would be safe, and then he waved the other men toward him so they could calculate the best way to protect the plantation now that there were just five of them.
********
Moses wasn’t overly concerned with noise because he knew the crackling of flames would cover the sound of them approaching. His fury was tempered by a sorrow that Rose’s school was most likely being destroyed again. He didn’t know how many times they would have to rebuild, but he was certain they would. The only way to keep the vigilantes from winning their battle of terror was to refuse to bow down to the fear. He was realistic enough to know there might be someone who would lose their life during the long night ahead, but he also knew all his men were as equally determined to protect their new freedoms as he was.
When they were a couple hundred yards from the schoolhouse, Moses slid Champ to a halt and looped his reins loosely around a tree so the horse could escape if he didn’t return. Holding his hand up for silence, he ran quickly down the remainder of the trail, and slowed to a stop when he reached the edge of the clearing. When he was close enough to see the school, his mouth gaped open with astonishment.
“What is going on, Moses?”
Moses looked over and realized Jeb had materialized next to him. “I reckon we’re going to listen and find out,” he muttered, almost speechless as he watched the drama being played out in front of them. He held up his hand to keep his men in place. Right now they weren’t needed, and their appearance might make things worse.
The school was indeed surrounded by a gang of vigilantes with bandanas covering everything but their eyes, but the inner circle surrounding the school was a small army of white men who he quickly identified as parents of Rose’s students.
As the vigilantes pressed closer, the parents lifted their rifles and took careful aim. Moses heard the lead vigilante curse as he jerked his horse to a standstill.
“What do y’all think you are doing?” the lead man called. “You’re protecting a nigger school.”
“Nope. I’m protecting my children’s school,” one of the parents yelled back defiantly. “All of you need to leave now.”
“Are you crazy?” one of the vigilantes called in a voice filled with rage.
“They’re crazy all right,” another man yelled. “They’re crazy if they think we are going to let them get away with having their kids in a nigger school. It makes all of us look bad. We’re not going to get things under control if things like that are going on!”
As Moses watched the scene unfold before him, he mot
ioned his men forward and gave them quiet instructions. “If a single one of those vigilantes throws a fire stick or discharges their gun, I want you to shoot every one of them,” he said grimly. He could only imagine the repercussions if they were to kill the vigilantes threatening their school, but he didn’t imagine it would be much worse than what was happening now. It was time to make a stand. He watched with grim satisfaction as his men took position behind sheltering trees and cocked their triggers.
The white parents must have been put on alert when their children arrived home from school with reports of being watched in the woods. What the veterans had feared was indeed happening, but instead of siding with the vigilantes, they had decided to fight back. Moses felt a swell of admiration rush through him. Right on the heels of the admiration came a tidal wave of hope. He had never dreamed he would see a group of white veterans come to the defense of their school – perhaps there was hope for their country afterall.
“What are you doing this for?” the lead vigilante hollered.
As Moses watched, he realized the band of men was not keen on attacking a group of white army veterans. The work of vigilantes was usually done in secret, without true identities being revealed.
“You think I don’t know that is you, Granger? You can hide like a coward behind that bandana, but you ain’t fooling anyone!”
Moses saw the lead man stiffen in shocked surprise. The vigilante’s biggest weapon was covertness. That had just been destroyed.
“And you too, Chad Hawkins,” the parent yelled. “You should be ashamed of yourself!”
Moses narrowed his eyes and focused in on the parent defying the threatening band. He was only a little surprised when he realized it was Amanda’s husband, Alvin. He had resisted Silas and Violet coming to school, but he had evidently changed his mind somewhere along the way. Rose brought home glowing stories of how well the two children were doing.