CHAPTER EIGHT

Eastern Maryland, further north along the Choptank River
Tuesday, November 21, 1854
Late evening

Ann thanked the three people for their help. Mama had decided to leave the shoes behind and wore fresh wraps around her feet. She had a bundle full of food for them to eat, and baby Elizabeth was sleeping with her mouth open.

Without a word, Mama fell to the back and let Ann lead the way. Ann led her family to the woods beyond the farm. It was too cloudy to see the North Star, so Ann followed David’s advice. He had told her moss only grew on the north side of the trees and that could help her stay on track.

Halfway through the night, Paul started complaining. “Slow down,” he said.

Ann glared at him. “Do you want to make it to the station before light?”

Paul pouted, but he didn’t complain again, and they kept a steady pace. Since they’d just eaten a good meal, they didn’t even stop to eat. Finally they came to a white house with a candle burning in one window. It was just like David had said.

Ann thought about what had happened at the last house that was supposed to be a station. That mistake may have cost Daddy his life. She stood and looked at the house for quite some time. She was losing her nerve.

“Are we going in?” asked Paul. He had the loudest whisper Ann had ever heard.

“Shhh,” said Mama. Her face was full of doubt.

Finally Ann knew she would have to move forward, even though she was uncertain. She took a deep breath and headed to the door with her family behind her. She knocked three times, just like David had told her to.

A woman’s voice said, “Who’s there?”

Ann used the code David had given her. “A friend with friends,” she said.

The door opened, and a pale woman ushered them in. A pale man sat in a chair near the fire. He stood up and came to introduce himself.

“I’m Donovan,” he said. “This is my wife, Sally.”

Sally said, “Please, sit and rest over there.” She pointed to the chairs near the fire.

Ann had never been inside a white person’s house. She’d never had white people treat her like this. She wanted to trust them, but she had no reason to. She smiled politely and sat down. But she positioned herself so that if they had to run, she could get her family out quickly.

Donovan sat down with them, and Sally disappeared through a door to the left of the fire. Before long she returned and led them through the same door. Inside was a real bed covered with a nice warm blanket. Ann thought it must be where Sally and Donovan slept.

Sally had water ready for them to wash up and fresh clothes for them to wear. The clothes were much nicer than anything Ann’s family had ever owned, and they fit.

After they changed, Sally gave them warm soup and fresh bread to eat. The bread was so good Ann wanted more, but she was afraid to ask.

“First, you’ll rest,” said Donovan. “Then I’ll put you in the wagon and take you to the next station.”

“How long until we’re in the North?” Mama asked Donovan.

“You should cross the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania in two days,” said Donovan.

Ann didn’t understand what any of this meant. “Is Pennsylvania the North?” she asked.

Donovan nodded. “It is,” he said. “You will find many people like yourselves there.”

After they finished eating, Sally led them to the barn. At the far end there was an area with a large amount of straw.

“You will rest here,” said Sally. “Donovan will come for you at dawn.”

“We’re traveling during the day?” asked Ann. She didn’t think that was a good idea. Daddy had warned her against it.

“Yes,” said Sally. “But don’t worry. Donovan will keep you safe.”

Mama said, “Miss Sally, thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

Sally smiled, but she had a sad look in her eyes. “It is the right thing to do. No one should be a slave,” she said. “You must stay quiet now.”

* * *
Eastern Maryland, where the Choptank River splits
Wednesday, November 22, 1854

Sunrise

The next morning, Donovan helped them into a wagon. He carefully arranged potatoes all around them, even on top. Then he covered them and the potatoes with a big cloth. A small amount of light filtered through, and Ann focused on the faces of her family. It helped keep her calm.

They bumped along in the back of the wagon all day. Ann wished she could see where they were going, but she knew better than to take a peek.

Later in the day, the wagon slowed down. Then it came to a complete stop. Ann hoped that meant they were at the station.

Suddenly a deep voice said, “We’re looking for some runaways.”

Pattyrollers, thought Ann. They were not at the next station yet.

She heard Donovan say, “I haven’t seen anyone running.”

“It’s a family,” said the deep voice. “A mother, a father, and three kids. One is a baby.”

Ann’s heart thudded in her chest. People were searching for them, but they didn’t know Daddy wasn’t with them. Paul’s eyes were wide, and Ann could tell he was about to say something. She put her hand over his mouth.

“I haven’t seen them,” said Donovan.

It was hard for Ann to believe that Donovan was telling a lie to keep them safe. Daddy was right about good and bad coming in all colors. Donovan was putting himself in danger for them.

“What’s in the wagon today?” asked the man.

“Potatoes,” said Donovan.

Ann hoped the man would believe Donovan. They were so close to the North. They couldn’t get caught now.

“Mind if I take a look?” asked the voice.

At that moment, Ann spotted a spider! It was a large brown spider, almost the color of the potatoes. It crawled toward her face. She looked at Mama and tried to get her to notice the spider, but Mama was too busy watching the baby.

A scream was building in Ann’s throat. The spider was getting closer. In a minute, it would be on her face. A squeak so quiet you’d have to be lying next to her to hear it escaped from Ann.

Donovan said, “Sure, you can take a look.”

The spider inched closer. Ann heard the pattyroller’s footsteps walking around to the back of the wagon. She also heard another wagon approaching.

The pattyroller lifted a small corner of the cloth that hid them. It let in just enough light for Ann to see the spider’s eyes. The spider froze in the light. Ann and the spider stared at each other as the cloth rose higher.

Be brave, Ann said to herself over and over again. Be brave.