Murray

The carriage started slowly at first. Soldiers in blue uniforms cleared a path so the horses could move.

The horses clomped on till the carriage moved away from the depot. The crowds were waving American flags, handkerchiefs, and hats.

After a few minutes, the driver said, “That’s the hotel over there.” He pointed to a rectangular, block-long building. An American flag on top of the building fluttered in the breeze.

“My family will be staying here,” Willie said. “The governor of New York will throw a party for us. And Mr. Lincoln will give a speech about his convictions.”

“I hope to be in Canada by then,” Sally said.

The carriage pulled up in front of the hotel. Mrs. Lincoln said, “Please take us around back to the kitchen. I need to speak to a cook named Murray.”

The driver did as he was told. The carriage soon stopped in front of a plain, thick door.

The driver said, “I’ll get Murray for you.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. Lincoln said.

The driver wasn’t gone long. He came back with a man wearing a white apron. The man was tall and thin. His skin was as dark as chocolate. He wiped his floured hands on his apron.

“What do you want?” he asked. “I’m busy preparing for President Lincoln’s party.”

“Would you like to meet Mrs. Lincoln?” asked Willie.

The man’s eyes grew big as if he’d seen a ghost. “Mrs. Lincoln!” he said.

“Driver, why don’t you go to the kitchen for a cup of coffee?” Mrs. Lincoln said. “I need to speak to this man for a few minutes.”

When the driver was gone, she turned to Murray. “I require your services,” Mrs. Lincoln said simply. “Please help Sally.”

Sally lowered her hood. “I’ve come all the way from Kentucky,” she said. She showed him the necklace with the Underground Railroad symbol.

“No runaway should be seen in daylight, ma’am,” Murray said to Mrs. Lincoln. “Pardon me, but you’ll get her caught. Please come back after dark.” His kind, brown eyes were filled with worry.

“We can’t,” Beth said. “A slave catcher was on the Lincoln Special. His friend saw us leave for the hotel. It won’t be long till the slave catcher is here. Sally has to get away now.”

Murray seemed to think it over. Finally he said, “I’ll tell you the way to Black Rock Ferry. You can meet with—”

Willie interrupted. “The ferry is being watched,” he said. “A telegram said so.”

Murray looked surprised. “That’s the next station,” he said. “There is no other.”

Murray’s words made Patrick’s heart sink. “There has to be another way,” he said.

“There is,” Willie said. He leaned close to Mrs. Lincoln. He whispered in her ear. Then Mrs. Lincoln nodded. She motioned for Tad and Willie to get out of the carriage.

The boys got out, and Murray helped Mrs. Lincoln get down.

“Would a carriage and two horses help?” the future First Lady asked.

Murray grinned. “It would,” he said. Murray pulled himself up into the driver’s seat. “I will take you to Niagara Falls myself. You can take a train to Canada from there.”

Mrs. Lincoln said, “I’ll talk to your boss and tell him I needed you. That way you won’t get fired for leaving your job.”

“Thank you both,” Sally said softly.

Mrs. Lincoln looked at Beth and Patrick. She said, “Since you’re with the Underground Railroad, I’m sure you’ll want to go with them.”

The cousins nodded in reply.

“Safe travels,” Mrs. Lincoln said. She and Tad waved goodbye.

“You’ll be the prettiest woman at tonight’s party,” Beth said to Mrs. Lincoln. “Thank you for all your help.”

Patrick said, “I hope we meet again!”

“I do too,” Willie said. “You all are loads of fun and adventure.”

Murray turned around to face the children. “I know who Sally is, but who are you two?”

“I’m Patrick,” he said. “And this is my cousin Beth.”

“We’re taking the long way around to the Niagara River,” Murray said. “It will take all night. The way has narrow country roads, hills, trees, and mud. No bridges and no ferries.”

“And no slave catchers,” Sally said.

The children sat quietly as Murray drove them all away. Patrick heard the sounds of the crowd in the distance. People were cheering. A cannon fired. Somewhere a band was playing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Patrick strained his ears for sounds of danger.

Murray steered the carriage to a dirt road. It took them away from the city. The horses pulled the carriage up a hill. It pitched slowly from side to side. The horses’ hooves squished in the mud. The sounds of the city grew quieter with each turn of the wheels.

Beth and Sally leaned against each other. Sally closed her eyes, and her breathing slowed.

Beth nodded off too.

Patrick looked at the sky. The sun sat on the horizon like a giant yellow button. He closed his eyes, just for a moment . . .

“We’re here!”

Patrick jolted awake at the sound of Murray’s voice.