Freedom Bound by Jean Rae Baxter Page B

letter Nick told
me he was no longer a courier. He said Southern Command
had transferred him to a different department and given him
a room in the officers’ quarters. So he wanted me to come to
Charleston to join him.”
    â€œThat sounds mighty fine.”
    â€œIt would have been mighty fine, except they cancelled his
transfer. I didn’t know a thing about it until I arrived in
Charleston and was told he’d been sent on a mission to the
backcountry. So I’m here, but Nick is not.”
    Elijah gave a sympathetic smile. “When I first met you,
you were waiting for Nick to find you, and now you’re waiting for him again. There always seems to be something keeping you two apart.”
    He watched while she twisted and tugged at her clothing,
trying to see how dirty it was at the back.
    â€œI can carry your bundle for you, wherever you’re going.”
    â€œThank you. I’d appreciate that, if you don’t mind being
seen with me.”
    â€œNot at all. This reminds me of how we met. Remember
Canajoharie? You were peering into our kitchen window,
mud all over the back of your gown, just like now.”
    â€œSame gown,” she laughed. “Different mud.”
    â€œYou were looking for a place where your family could
hide after the Sons of Liberty ran you off your farm. I thought
you were a rebel spy.”
    â€œYou came up behind me with a pitchfork and steered me
to the front door. Your mother took one look and said,
‘That’s the dirtiest spy I ever seen.’”
    He laughed. “You have a talent for landing in mud.”
    â€œAnd you have a talent for rescuing me.”
    â€œWhat’s the reason this time? What are you doing, walking around in the rain, carrying that big bundle?”
    â€œThe bundle is dirty clothes, and I’m taking it to the place
where I lodge, the home of a Quaker woman who takes in
laundry.”
    â€œDidn’t you just say that Nick had a room in the officers’
quarters?”
    â€œHe did. But when Southern Command cancelled his
transfer, they gave his room to somebody else. Since they
couldn’t throw me out on the street, they arranged for me to
lodge with Mrs. Doughty.”
    â€œSo you’re living with Quakers. That’s quite a change.”
    â€œI liked the idea because I thought it would be peaceful
and quiet.”
    â€œIsn’t it?”
    â€œNot at all. As I soon discovered, Mrs. Doughty had a
runaway slave girl with a baby hiding in the cellar. I didn’t
know this until slave catchers invaded the house.”
    Charlotte paused, wondering if she should tell Elijah thedetails of Phoebe’s plight. But, no. It was unnecessary.
    â€œGo on,” he said.
    â€œThe slave catchers captured the girl but left the baby. So
now we have a baby to take care of.”
    They reached Stoll’s Alley and stopped at Mrs. Doughty’s
door.
    â€œWould you like to come in,” Charlotte asked, “and meet
Mrs. Doughty?”
    â€œI wish I could. But I’m due back at barracks.” A shadow
passed over his face. “I very much want to talk with you.”
    â€œI’d like that. Then you can tell me everything that’s happened to you since the army sent you back down south.”
    â€œMaybe tomorrow?”
    â€œTomorrow will be fine. But there’s no rush, is there? If
you’re attached to the garrison, you’ll be in Charleston for a
while.” She pressed the door latch.
    â€œI think not.” He frowned. “Look. There hasn’t been anybody here I can talk to. But I can talk to you. I can talk to you
about anything.”
    â€œAre you in trouble?”
    They looked directly into each other’s eyes, and then he
turned away.
    â€œNo. Not yet. I mean . . .” He spoke in a rush. “Oh, I don’t
know what I mean. That is . . . ever since the Battle of Kings
Mountain. So many died there.”
    â€œCome tomorrow. I have