The Freedom Star Part 30

"I's in charge now," Big Jim said as he retreated. "And I'll be whipping any n.i.g.g.e.r what I choose." He glanced at Lilly, then Mama Rose. "And the two of you got no say."

"Mama Rose," Lilly said, wagging her knife in front of her, "does you be remembering last spring, when Ma.s.sa McConnell bought him that young bull?"

"I sure enough does, Miss Lilly." Mama Rose stepped around to Big Jim's side, flas.h.i.+ng her knife as well.

"And you be remembering what Ma.s.sa tells Miss Lilly?"

Mama Rose smiled. "I sure do. He tells Miss Lilly, *You cut the b.a.l.l.s off'n that young bull, geld him proper like.'"

"And Miss Lilly, she done right for that poor beast-tied them b.a.l.l.s off tight so's they be numb to the knife." Lilly stepped forward again. "I ain't tying no b.a.l.l.s today, just cutting."

"You's crazy, woman." Big Jim stumbled as he backed away.

"Crazy enough." Lilly nodded. "And I'll be cutting all your hanging down things, you ever touch this child again." She sliced the air with her knife.

Big Jim crabbed backward through the dirt, distancing himself from the two women, then rolled over and regained his feet. "You's both crazy." He pointed at Lilly with his whip. "You's gonna pay for this . . ."

"And you'd best be sleeping with one eye open," Lilly shouted. "You hurt this child, you'll wake one morning to find that little thing you likes to play with been hacked off and fed to the hogs." She wagged her knife.

Big Jim grabbed his crotch and took off across the field.

Lilly motioned to Mama Rose. "Help me lift this poor child to the wagon."

_____.

"That baby ain't coming just yet," Mama Rose said, seated on the far side of the bed. "Go get you some air."

Florence nodded. She placed Tempie's hand on her round tummy, giving it a gentle pat. "I'll be back shortly, child. You rest. Mama Rose is right here, if'n you needs anything." Tempie looked at her and seemed to force a weak smile.

Florence stepped onto the small porch and gazed skyward. The full moon cast a silver hue over the barnyard. "Abraham, I don't know where you is tonight, but I's sure needing them strong arms *round me right about now. Our baby, she's trying to birth her own child, and she's in a bad way." Wrapping her arms around herself, she leaned against the cook shack wall as tears welled in her eyes. She took a deep breath. "My boy's off to war, where Abraham is only you knows, Lord, and my baby's in there struggling with labor. Lord, you don't never ask Florence to take on no more'n what she can bear, so I knows you'll be finding a way to give your servant the strength she'll be needing to endure all this here pain. Be with my baby, Lord. She's so young . . ."

"Florence," Mama Rose called out, "the baby's coming." Tempie moaned, followed by Mama Rose's soothing murmur.

As Florence hurried into the cabin, Mama Rose moved to the foot of the bed and pushed the covers aside. Tempie lay there, small and scared, her knees raised, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched her stomach.

Florence took her station at the head of the bed and held Tempie's hand. "Mama's right here. Everything's gonna be just fine."

Tempie tightened in pain.

"Wait," Mama Rose said. "Don't be pus.h.i.+ng just yet." She moved the lantern so it cast light over her shoulder. "You puff, like what I showed you. Now, child. Puff."

"Mama, it hurts . . ." Tempie cried out, squeezing Florence's hand.

"I know, baby. I know. It'll be over shortly. Listen to Mama Rose." Florence wiped Tempie's forehead with a damp cloth.

"Head's showing," Mama Rose said. "Next pain, you takes a deep breath and push."

Tempie tensed, then groaned and pushed. And pushed. And pushed.

Florence studied the worry on Mama Rose's face. Been taking too long. That child had to be worn out. Florence leaned close and looked into Tempie's eyes, forcing a smile. "You's doing just fine, child. You's doing just fine."

"Again. Breath deep and push," Mama Rose said.

Tempie rose up on her elbows as she strained.

"Push again. Push. Push."

Tempie fell back against the pillow.

Mama Rose shook her head. "Ain't so good."

Florence stroked Tempie's forehead. "It'll be all right, baby. Mama Rose is gonna fix you up."

"Cord's wrapped," Mama Rose whispered. "Stop your pus.h.i.+ng, child." She worked on the baby, then glanced at Florence and nodded.

"Now, like before. Do like Mama, come on . . ." Florence began blowing short, quick puffs.

"All right, Tempie, give Mama Rose a big push . . ."

Florence supported Tempie as she rose up and strained.

"There's your baby, Tempie, there's your baby boy." Mama Rose paused, staring at the newborn child; she gave Florence a grim look, then lifted the baby by his ankles and slapped his backside.

Florence cradled her exhausted daughter and stared at the quiet baby, its wet skin a bluish hue.

Mama Rose wiped the baby's face then draped him across her forearm and pounded on his back. "You breathe, child, you hear me?" She wiped a finger through the baby's mouth, then ma.s.saged his tiny chest. "Come on, boy, you's gonna make it." She slapped his bottom once again. The baby hung limp in her hands.

Tempie drifted in and out of sleep, unaware. Florence placed her hand on Mama Rose's shoulder. "It's the Lord's will, weren't nothing you could do."

Mama Rose laid the baby in the cradle of Tempie's arm. "I's sorry, child."

"M-mama?"

"Sh-h-h. It's all right, child." Florence held Tempie's face in her hands and leaned close. "The good Lord knows best."

"My baby?"

"The Lord, he decided Tempie needed more time before she was a mama. This was his will."

Tempie looked at Florence. "I hurts so bad . . ."

"You rest." Florence patted her hand. "Everything be all right now. I's right here."

Tempie sighed and closed her eyes.

Florence wiped her daughter's forehead with a damp cloth, then kissed her on her cheek. "Sh-h-h. You sleep now, child."

Mama Rose pulled aside the blanket. "She's bleeding some."

Florence stared into Mama Rose's eyes. "Can you make it stop?"

"I prays I can." Mama Rose ma.s.saged Tempie's stomach. "The afterbirth needs to be coming out."

Florence lifted the baby from the bed and wrapped him in a small blanket, then hesitated. Finally, she placed the tiny bundle on the table and turned back to Tempie. "That baby done wore her out. She'll be sleeping good."

Tempie groaned.

"Praise the Lord, the afterbirth delivered." Mama Rose grabbed for rags as the flow came. "All we can do now is wait and pray."

_____.

"You seen that baby?" Mama Rose stood on the porch, her thumb pointing toward the cook shack door.

Florence nodded. "Don't be telling n.o.body, hear?"

"I won't, but why you wanting to keep that a secret?"

"Folks don't have no need knowing her dead baby was white. That'll just bring trouble."

"Been trouble enough, for sure." Mama Rose put a hand on Florence's shoulder. "I needs to check on her."

Florence followed Mama Rose into the cabin. Tempie appeared to be in a deep sleep, her breathing shallow but regular. Florence took Tempie's hand as she turned to Mama Rose. "It's the Lord's will. You done all you could. Now get on back to the quarters and get you some sleep. Morning will be here soon enough."

Mama Rose nodded. "I'll be back to check on her come dawn."

_____.

A pale glow filtered through the cabin window. Florence lifted her head with a start. Was she late? The big house would be wanting breakfast. She eased away from the bed where Tempie lay quietly and rubbed her eyes.

"You's had a rough night, child." Florence touched Tempie's forehead, then drew her hand back quickly and placed her ear next to Tempie's mouth. Slowly she shook her head as she straightened. With trembling hands, she lifted the blanket. A dark stain covered the bedding. "No, Lord . . ."

Florence gathered Tempie in her arms. Her tears fell onto the sweet, lifeless face. "Not my baby. Lord. Not my baby . . ."

Chapter Forty-one.

September 1862 "Off the road. Step aside," the sergeant yelled. "Clear the way for the artillery." He directed the regiment into an open field. Ahead, predawn fog silhouetted the rooftops of a small village.

"We been marching all night," Isaac said. "My feets is wore out. Is we in Maryland yet?"

"Been in Maryland since we left Harper's Ferry last night." Henry pointed north, toward the sound of sporadic musketry already rupturing the early morning quiet. "By the sounds of it, we're fixing to go straight into battle."

"Ain't much shooting, " Isaac said. "Least ways, not yet. Maybe today will be quiet." He adjusted the satchel hanging over his shoulder as he stepped off the road. Philadelphia wasn't but a few days' walk from Maryland. What would Raleigh think if she opened her door and found him standing on her step?

The Fourteenth Virginia followed the rest of the brigade across the field, halting along a road that led out of town toward the west. Tents filled an orchard on the far side of the road. A rider galloped in from the east, dismounted, and ran to a table set under a large tarpaulin. Men in gray huddled over what must have been a map.

"General Lee's headquarters." Henry pointed to the flag hanging limply beside the tarp. "Reckon we'll be safe enough here."

"Company, fall out," the company commander ordered. "Food and sleep. We're in reserve."

Henry spread his blanket, tossed his haversack on one end, and dropped to the ground. "I've been marching since before midnight. Don't any of you wake me-unless the Yankees start coming down that pike." He jerked a thumb toward the town.

"Aye, and I'll be more'n happy to join ye, lad," Sean said. "I don't know how you talked me into this here infantry. Me thinks a mature condition such as my own would earn a fellow a fine little wagon." He spread his blanket beside Henry's and lay down, tipping his kepi over his eyes.

To the north, cannons answered volley with volley, drowning the crackle of musketry. Smoke drifted above the trees. "The fighting's commencing. Appears to be a might heavy up yonder," Isaac said. He sat on his blanket staring at flashes of artillery exploding in the distance.

"Ain't our problem," Henry replied. "Catch some sleep while you can." He rolled to his side, pulling a corner of the blanket over his head.

_____.

"McConnell, wake up."

Isaac opened one eye. The first sergeant stood over Henry, poking him with his boot. The sun, high in a bright blue sky, warmed the plowed field. Mid-morning? Cannon fire and musketry filled the air. The fighting had grown heavier. Isaac sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Wake up, McConnell. I need you to get a detail together, gather up the canteens and head on into Sharpsburg village yonder and fetch us some water." The first sergeant pointed in the direction of the small hamlet. "We'll be moving out soon, so get your tails back here quick as you can."

"Tarnation." Henry sat up, scratching his head. He squinted at the bright daylight, then turned toward town. "Battle's s.h.i.+fting some, listen."

"North and east o' town, if yer asking me." Sean rolled his blanket.

"Isaac, gather up as many canteens as you can carry. You too, Sean." Henry poked two soldiers asleep beside him. "Fraley, Akers, on your feet. You're coming too. Maybe we'll get lucky and one of those fine Maryland ladies we've been hearing about will invite us to breakfast."

"That's the least they can do after we liberates *em from them d.a.m.ned Yankees." Akers was on his feet, canteens already draped across both shoulders.

"Come on, move out." Henry grabbed his rifle and headed toward the town. Isaac, Sean, and the others trailed behind.

They entered the village of clapboard one- and two-story buildings set on gently rolling hills. A few houses bore evidence of the battle, plaster knocked off walls or broken panes of window gla.s.s. A large house on the south side of the road displayed trappings of wealth. A half circle window high on one end separated two large chimneys. Henry walked to the front door and knocked.

A middle-aged gentleman answered.

"Begging your pardon, sir. We're looking for a well to fill our canteens, and a taste of breakfast too, if it's no trouble."

"Well's around back. Won't deny water to anyone." The man waved toward the side of the house. "I've been a Union man all my life. I'll be d.a.m.ned if I'll break bread with you rebels. Fetch your water and be gone." The man stepped inside and slammed the door.

"I expect he ain't partial to being liberated, Henry." Akers grinned at Isaac and Sean.

Henry waved his small patrol onward. "That d.a.m.ned Yankee most likely poisoned his own well, just for spite. We'll move on."

They walked through the village, stopping at a house on the eastern side of town. A mile to the north, smoke blanketed lines of gray and blue blazing at one another across newly harvested fields.

Once again Henry knocked on the door. No one answered. He tried the latch. The door swung open into a parlor. Henry peeked inside, then motioned the others to follow.