26

Before we had time to really celebrate, the worst blow that could ever fall fell upon us. Lawyer Sedgwick told Bett that the master had not accepted the verdict and that she and Brom would have to go to a higher court and present their case before they could be declared free.

How could that be! All the old fears returned. We could not sleep or eat. We sat around in silence, feeling that it all had been for nothing. When Sarah came to celebrate the winning of the first round, she sensed our sadness and tried to cheer us up. “I have a feeling,” she said, “that the master is going to call this whole thing off. You know Zach Mullen, the quiet, don’t-want-to-be-bothered one? He didn’t show up for his trial that was also scheduled during the session of this court. Maybe he and the master made a deal out of court. You got the master on the run. Besides, being a former judge, he knows that the Supreme Judicial Court has already ruled for Quok Walker in Worcester. By the time they come to Berkshire County, everyone will know that slavery is unconstitutional.” The State Supreme Court would not convene in Berkshire County until October.

That was not enough for my sister. She had heard Master Ashley claim the right of property, and we were his property. She knew that he was an outstanding businessman who had not become powerfully rich by giving away what he owned. And she had seen his strong will against the constable. She continued to work for Lawyer Sedgwick and to hold her head high, but I knew she was frightened. However, Sarah was right.

Two weeks before the second trial, Colonel Ashley dropped his appeal and accepted the decision that Brom and Bett were not slaves. He agreed to pay both of them thirty shillings lawful money damage and the cost of the suit: five pounds, fourteen shillings, and four pence. My sister and brother were, indeed, free.

Oh, the shouting and praise giving! Friends came with food and congratulations. It was a glorious day. Of course I was happy for them. But my fear was overwhelming, for nothing had been decided about me, and every minute I waited for the master to come and say that the mistress wanted me back. Finally Bett, seeing my gloom, said, “Of all people, I thought you would shout the loudest.”

“Why? The master said I could go, but if the mistress so chooses, I must return. Besides, I must pay him for my freedom.”

“Aissa, minyiyo”—for the first time she called me younger sister in our mother’s tongue—“the constitution says that slavery is illegal. You are no longer a slave. You are free.”

“Bett, is that true, really true?” I cried.

“It is true!”

All those years I had imagined what it would be like to live those words, I am free! Now I didn’t know any words to describe what freedom meant, and I didn’t try to find any.