By the time we had come downstairs it appeared that whole town had turned out. The parlor was certainly a note more opulent than the bare walls of them bedrooms. There was 2 giant bear pelts laid out as rugs on the floor & the wood of the walls was not rough but dark & smooth, I could well imagine the stern & humorless Mr. Blum at work sanding & polishing in the cold dawn light.
Indeed there was Mr. Blum now resolutely stationed behind a bar, it was a damn sight finer than Tom Peeper’s with rows of sparkling glasses & bottles filled up with honey-colored liquor. Lanterns with tasseled shades was burning around the room & there was a great fire also, them flames licked out so many had took off their hats to make the most of the warmth, faces was shining bright & red.
It was dark outside now but I could see the flakes of snow was falling again against the panes.
I searched all them new faces & seen Jim Coyne doing the same, we was both looking for Henry Brooks. Forrest & Benjamin Quick then begun to play their fiddles, it was a very sweet tune & with no announcement the Challip twins begun to sing along & everyone was turned to watch, their faces lit with warmth & cheer, even Mr. Blum’s eyes did seem to soften from behind the bar.
It was awful crowded in there, I could not see now I was led through all them legs & rears in my face. But if I was uncomfortable this was no bad thing, Plots & Plans then come winging my way, they was charming visitors in such Dark Times. A room filled to the rafters with so many merry souls is a fine place for a boy to do some sneaking, how easily I might fix a trick & have myself saved was my thinking.
In my pocket I did then feel my faithful knurl of chalk, I had knowed well enough it would serve me in my hour of need. These bright & shining floors polished by Mr. Blum himself was smooth as slate, how perfect they was to write on. O Mr. Blum would be moved to fury when he seen but I did not care for that more than I did my own Sweet Freedom, I would crouch & write like the wind a message for all these faces to see that I was no performer but a boy stole from his rightful liberty & made to live in serfdom.
But just as I was about to I heard over the music Jim Coyne then shout out & his hand clamp down awful fierce on my shoulder.
Ah, Mr. Brooks! cried he.
He raised up his hand in greeting then & moved toward the bar, dragging me along behind. My opportunity was flung onto the flames, I could do nothing then but watch as them bodies what was still eyeing the twins begun to part & I seen first Mr. Brooks’s feet & legs. It is true that even in my dejection I seen they was very handsomely attired in calfskin boots & finely wove britches the like I had never seen. He had also a finely tooled leather belt with a brace of pistols tucked in either side, their handles was decorated with swirls like the top of a very fine Wedding Cake. Then I seen he wore a starched shirt & blue checkered waistcoat, a silver timepiece on a heavy chain tucked into its pocket. I thought this man must be mighty rich, I had been right to imagine him as very learned.
Finally the last body did move away & Henry Brooks was revealed in full, I could not have imagined who I then seen sit before me. He was clean shaved, his hair had been chopped & oiled & combed, it was a moment before I stared into them small gray eyes & realized it was Dud Carter himself.
I felt I had not seen that face for yrs, I took in now every line around his eyes, his great nose was itself like an old friend, I seen then he had even give his teeth a clean, they was not so mossy as before. But I also seen he did his best to hide all them holes where his teeth had once been, they was not befitting of a Gentleman of his stature now.
I was about to leap at him when he suddenly stood up to shake the hand of Jim Coyne & knocked me to the floor.
He still had some bruising about his face but this he did seem to wear with pride, his nose also was bent awry, this he gently caressed with his finger like it was proof of some Family Distinguishment.
Dear me, said he looking down, I did not know you kept a dog, Mr. Coyne.
That is no dog, Mr. Brooks, this here is my own nephew.
Dud Carter squinted down at me & pulled a disgusted face as if he had swallowed a cup of seawater but I swore I just then seen him wink, I knowed I was to trust him.
You say it is a boy, Mr. Coyne?
Dud Carter was talking as if his nose was stuffed with cotton bolls, his mouth worked much slower than usual, his lips sticking out very pompous, he wrinkled his nose again.
He don’t look much like one yis is right, Mr. Brooks, but a boy he is. My poor aul sis, she couldn’t care for such a creature as this, I am such a soft-hearted sort I could do nothing else but take him under my wing.
Now Jim Coyne bent his long legs & grabbed me by the collar of my coat & hauled me onto my feet.
Does he always stare so insolently at a new acquaintance? Surely he is a little too warm to be requiring the benefits of such a crude hat-piece, is he not, Mr. Coyne?
Dud Carter then extended his hand to remove my hat but Jim Coyne very quick reached out & took him by the wrist.
Dud Carter looked down where he was held.
What is this? he cried, most indignant. I am being manhandled!
My sincerest apologies, Mr. Brooks, but the boy don’t like to be interfered with. Yis see, he hasn’t the use of his tongue, Mr. Brooks, so yis might forgive his staring.
Dud Carter looked down at me again.
What an Unfortunate Creature, said he. Does he not have his letters?
Not a one, said Jim Coyne. Can’t even write his own name, it is most sad to say. If there’s a brain between his ears then yis would do well to find it, I expect it is no bigger than a Walnut.
What an Unfortunate Creature, said Dud Carter again.
So convincing was this new character I found myself questioning whether it was Dud Carter at all, but he could not ever lose that mischief at play in his eyes, I could see he was enjoying himself. O yes it was like them first days we set out, it did make my bruised heart sing to see it.
Well, Mr. Coyne, said he. Enough talk. I believe I promised you a drink.
That you did, Mr. Brooks, yis have found me a very thirsty man.
Forrest & Benjamin Quick played a great medley of tunes, some was slow & sweet & some was so lively the whole room was dancing. Mrs. Blum was very red in the cheeks, she was the Belle of the Ball.
Jim Coyne & Dud Carter did not stop talking, Dud had acquired a whole flask of whiskey from Mr. Blum, I could see he was very liberal with his coinage & they drunk copious amounts, I never heard Dud talk so much Gibberish in all my days, if only Jim Coyne knowed every single word what come out of his mouth was a Dog’s Lie.
They sit theirselves at 2 stools away from the merriment, Jim Coyne had offered me a stool for myself but this Henry Brooks was a very Cruel Man, he declared it most improper to have such a grotesque as me sit beside such Worthy Gentlemen.
Yis is quite right, Mr. Brooks, I don’t know what I was thinkin. I would send him away but I would worry he would do himself an injury. Yis see he don’t have the sense to keep himself away from harm.
Jim Coyne was now made suitably loose with whiskey, his words was begun to slur, his eyes a little misty. But he was a man who could hold his drink I knowed that, if it was Dud Carter’s plan to sink him this way then it would be a Long Night.
But Jim Coyne was in a Talking Mood, he was made awful verbose.
What do yis think of them fiddle players of mine, Mr. Brooks? Ain’t they the finest yis has ever heard?
Tolerable, said Dud Carter.
Jim Coyne raised his brows.
Yis is not much of a one for praisin are yis, Mr. Brooks?
Dud Carter tilted back his head very imperious indeed, he showed the dark of his nostrils like they did breathe in a different quality of air.
I am not one for praising things that are at their essence Mediocre.
Mediocre? cried Jim Coyne. What about them girlies? Ain’t they got the sweetest set of pipes on them you ever heard?
Bearable, said Dud Carter.
Bearable! cried Jim Coyne again. Yis is a very harsh critic, Mr. Brooks. And what with them lookin so very pretty as well?
Middling, said Dud Carter.
Middling! cried Jim Coyne. Surely yis must think that together – the fiddles & the voices – they sound like they could be heard up in heaven & God & all the Angels would be clappin their blessed hearts out.
Dud Carter’s face expressed nothing, it was cold & flat, who could have guessed he knowed so many long & cumbersome words? The old devil must have read himself more books than I thought, I suppose I should not have been surprised no more by his Wily Ways.
Dissonant, said Dud Carter.
Jim Coyne was now Well Riled, he stood up from his stool & wagged his finger in Dud Carter’s face.
Now yis can listen to me, Mr. Brooks, I have traveled the length of this country & I had every manner of fella clap their hands in appreciation. I don’t know what it is makes you think yis ears are so much better than everyone else’s.
He then realized his temper, he calmed himself down.
I don’t mean to insult yis, Mr. Brooks, I know yis is a very learned man. But how about I sing a song of my own & if yis aren’t happy to clap after that then I may have to concede we is somewhat out of touch.
Dud Carter said nothing, he only nodded. Jim Coyne smiled & then downed his drink, he went shambling off through the crowd, he had all but forgot about me.
It was now Dud Carter looked down at me & for the first time we was able to smile at one another but still I could not embrace him as I so desperately wished.
Evening, Old Salt, said he, ain’t you happy to see me?
He did not have no idea how happy I was, all the darkness what had clouded my skull was suddenly lifted.
You ain’t lookin too well, said Dud, eyeing me with considerable alarm.
I had all but forgot how sorry I must have looked, I had come to think like the Wildling Jim Coyne so wanted me to be. My clothes was filthy, they had not been washed for weeks, Dud had not yet seen them welts & burns what run along my arms & legs but he could see clear enough them dark rings around my eyes & the ghosts what surely did reside inside them.
I was so pleased to see him I could barely keep from crying, Dud Carter seen the tears what threatened to come pouring down my cheeks.
Now don’t you be gettin like that, Old Salt, said he. You jus got to keep on playin Dumb & we will be out of here tonight. That won’t be so hard for you.
He could not help telling a joke, he smiled again & stared off toward the crowd.
Now look here, we don’t want him figurin anythin out, I have strung him along about as far as he will go, he ain’t so stupid that I can treat him like a fool. Now, Old Salt, you jus got to look out for our chance & when you think you see it you let me know & I’ll be right behind you.
We then heard Jim Coyne interrupt the song what was being played & now he stomped his bootheel down on the wooden boards so that all them dancers come to an abrupt halt. A last screeching note of the fiddles come yowling out & Mrs. Blum held a chubby hand up to her heaving bosom as she did try to catch her breath.
Had Jim Coyne not stood himself plum in front of the door we might have been able to make our escape there & then but we could not.
Ladies & Gentlemen, cried Jim Coyne. My name is Jim Coyne & these here is my Loyal Performers. If yis have enjoyed their playin so far then please do put your hands together & give them a fine ovation.
There was a great eruption of clapping hands & whistles from the crowd, they was most appreciative.
Jim Coyne looked over at Dud Carter & raised his brows before he continued.
But we have had a special request from a most Distinguished Gentleman that I myself sing yis a little song. I admit I ain’t took to the stage for a while but I do consider it my home & it would be a great honor to treat yis to a song.
He walked over to Forrest & Benjamin Quick & whispered something in their ears. They nodded quickly & then with their bows angled & at the ready they started up, it was at first a tune filled with yearning & longing until it dipped into a lively number, their arms sawing back & forth until Mrs. Blum was dancing again & Jim Coyne singing out his heart.
Who is it that sails
’Cross them old ocean waves
Who is it that sails to see me?
Who is it that sails
Spared the dark of them graves
Who is it that sails to see me?
She tells to me her name
Mary is my name, she says
She tells to me her name
It’s Mary
She tells to me her name
I won’t never forget, Mary
Mary, I won’t never forget you
And so Jim Coyne went on through every verse until he had every soul, Mr. Blum included, in a feverish sweat, they was all of them singing. As you know I did hate every bone in his body but I could not deny his showmanship & the way that song come alive with flesh & blood & dripping with sweat.
After he had finished his hair was damp & come loose from its ribband, he took a long bow & received the thunderous applause with glittering eyes before he made his way back over to me & Dud Carter at the bar.
Well, Mr. Brooks, said Jim Coyne. What did yis make of that?
For a good long while Dud Carter stayed silent, he looked Jim Coyne in the eye. I thought him about to pronounce it Sufferable or some other such thing but slowly he begun to clap.
Jim Coyne took another long bow.
That was a fine performance, Mr. Coyne, I cannot deny it, said Dud Carter.
I thought that might have yis change yer mind, Mr. Brooks.
Consider it changed, Mr. Coyne.
How about a drink to celebrate the settlin of a difference between 2 old friends, said Jim Coyne.
He caught a hold of Mr. Blum’s sleeve & ordered yet another flask of whiskey. Mr. Blum did not like being touched, he did not say nothing but his face was like a dark cloud as he planted that fresh flask down.
Jim Coyne took no notice, he raised his glass.
Here’s to changin yer tune! cried he.
His glass was halfway to his mouth when Dud Carter raised up his hand to stop him. Jim Coyne gawped at him.
I must admit to there being one issue with your performance, Mr. Coyne, said Dud Carter.
Jim Coyne’s face dropped, his eyes growed suddenly wide with disbelief.
I did admire your spirit & your starch, said Dud Carter, stroking at his chin, but I have always been of the opinion that a Performer should be raised above those he performs to if he is to achieve Greatness.
Jim Coyne was listening very hard, his brow was deeply furrowed.
Yis mean a stage of some description, Mr. Brooks?
Exactly, said Dud Carter.
Here Jim Coyne paused, his eyes bore into Dud Carter’s.
Yis is a very demanding man, Mr. Brooks.
Jim Coyne’s tongue went rooting around his back teeth. He poured himself another great measure & swilled it down immediately. The sweat still run down his face, he smiled but there was a sour edge to it now, I was familiar with that Dark Look.
I demand the best of everyone, Mr. Coyne.
Have yis ever demanded a little too much & found yerself lookin at a man with nothin but a bitter taste left in his mouth?
Dud Carter shuffled on his stool.
Let me tell you, Mr. Coyne, I’ve a great deal of money & if I were to see a performance in here on a stage like the one I have just witnessed, I might be persuaded to part with some of it. To make myself a Backer, if you will. As you know, Mr. Coyne, I am an Investor & a good Investor is always on the lookout for Success.
Now Jim Coyne’s eyes near popped out his head, the flames of his greed was well fanned. His demeanor changed very quick, he leaned in toward Dud Carter with his head obsequiously cocked.
We do carry with us an old tea chest, Mr. Brooks. It is a good height & might serve for the time being. Do yis think it would do the trick?
Perhaps, said Dud Carter, his face deadly serious as he stared at Jim Coyne.
I knowed the tea chest was upstairs, the Challip twins had brung it up.
Yis need say no more, Mr. Brooks, said Jim Coyne. Stay right where yis are.
He begun patting at Dud Carter, dusting off his shoulders & straightening the lapels of his frockcoat.
He turned then & headed toward the door but soon he come hurrying back, a Pleading & Inquiring look upon his face.
Would it be a large investment yis was thinking, Mr. Brooks?
Substantial, said Dud Carter.
Jim Coyne nodded & looked down at me.
Then the boy is your property as well as mine now & yis would do well to keep him safe whilst I go & fetch the old chest. He is not so useless as he looks if you catch my drift, Mr. Brooks.
He winked & then hurried off toward the stairs. He announced to the audience that there would be a brief interval followed by more festivities. Some adjustments must be made, he said, at which point he looked over & inclined his head conspiratorially again toward Dud Carter.
He then took Forrest & Benjamin Quick & the Challip twins in tow, he was no doubt cooking up the show of his life. He did leave our escape so easy we seen we could simply walk out & that is exactly what we did.
Don’t act like you is goin anywheres in particular, Old Salt, said Dud Carter, though he was still talking in that slow & fancy drawl of Henry Brooks.
Dud placed a proprietary hand atop my head as if I was his own charge, he gently steered me through that lively crowd. Drink & dance had give them a rowdy bite to their business, they did not care to look where they trod & I was knocked between legs & rumps & ale & whiskey was spilt down me, it did regrettably remind me of that Wicked Cage.
But O my freedom was near, I could not ever go back with Jim Coyne, we was coming up to the door. I turned & seen Dud Carter acting very poised & calm & incurious to all them rambunctious goings on, he took out his pocket watch & brung its face close for his inspection but he did not rush, I felt his hand steady & solid on my skull.
Then we was out of that room & the heat was sloughed off & the chatter dimmed & so too did the light as we made our way through that dark hall toward the porch. There was my Freedom, I could smell the Cold Outdoors & as we paused to open that last door I swore we could hear also Jim Coyne’s excited cries from above, his boots stamping like they had been above me in that wagon long ago it seemed, they was the cries of a man who thought himself king of all the world but even kings can be robbed of their Great Prize.