Being early in September, the weather was still moderate,however there was beginning to be a chill when the sun went down. At this point, Chance felt they had gone a considerable distance, but he had no way of knowing how far. As darkness came he motioned to the party, signalling them to rise and continue to follow him as he trailed the edge of the small stream they had found.
From their vantage point in the waist-high weeds,which afforded them a fair amount of cover, they had a view of the road, perhaps 300 feet from them, which at first had hardly been occupied, but now there was a noticeable amount of wagon and carriage traffic, which seemed to be increasing by the minute.
There was no apparent danger to them, as the traffic seemed to be bent on proceeding as quickly as possible toward Laurenceville.
It was Charles who had first notice of the cause of their flight,although he had no idea what he was seeing in the northern sky.
"Chance, we still goin' north? Chance assured him that they were and at the same instant realized the reason for the question. "That's not the sun coming up. Anyways we ain't been travlin that long. Don't know how the sky could be that red,." Robin came alongside, and asked" What town is on the north side of Larenceville Chance?" "Don't know the name," Chance told him "but must be a big town for I once heard Mr.Barton talkin to miss Amelia, bout how many grand houses they was up north, and he just got back from some big doins' and someday they were goin to go together so's she could buy some real lady clothes. Seems he told me the name, but I sure can't remember."
They continued on for what seemed several hours, and the farther they traveled, the brighter the sky became in the direction of their progress. In the eerie glow looking toward the road,There was what seemed to be a pole, with a wood slat attached to the uppermost part. James remarked to no one in particular,"That sure looks like a road marker over there, maybe I could go see what it says."
Not being aware of James' skill in reading they all simply attributed
his remark to what they had been told of his lack of good sense.
Otherwise how could he think a pole could say any thing?
Before he could be cautioned to stay in place, James was sprinting across the field, and soon was standing, staring at the board attached to the pole. Immediately he was on his way back, running up to Chance, to give him the news he had found. "Mr. Chance, that is a sign put up for people to know how far they are from the next town.
It says that we are five miles from Atlanta up ahead, and behind us it is twenty-five miles to Laurenceville. That's how far we have walked so far. Twenty-five miles." They were stunned to realise, that although they had all seen books with these symbols on them, and knew that some white people could make sense of these, how could it be that this young man whom they all had thought of as slow in the head, could read words.
Chance had instantly acquired a new appreciation for this young man, whom he had so underrated, and knew that he must make time to speak with him and show him the respect that he deserved, but at the moment he must use this new information which James had provided, and apply it to his plan of proceeding north.
Being so near to what he knew to be the large city that Atlanta was, he felt that the safest course would be to avoid going directly into the main part,but turn more in a westerly direction, making a curve around the larger area of habitation.
Chance was reluctant to change directions, since he felt that following the stream was the best way to judge a northerly path, but he felt also that the best way to proceed, would be to try to limit their encounter with those who would oppose their flight to freedom.
"People, we needs to go left for a spell, cause we don't want folks seein' us that might have ideas of stoppin' us. I think that big town up ahead is havin' some misery right now, and they might just think we have some blame comin'"
Without comment, they all paused,each reading the agreement in the eyes of the others, and as one, followed Chance as he struck off to the west. The moon was at three quarters giving enough light to move forward, but still providing a modicum of sheltering darkness.
They had been travelling perhaps for three hours, still conscious of the red glow in the sky, which was now to their backs, when they saw the silvery glint of the moon, resting on what Chance recognized as railroad tracks.
Chance gathered the group around him, to get input from them all as to the best course to follow.
"The way I think on this, the rails there, will take us north, same as the water we was followin' and if we keep them in sight and still hug close to the woods I think we can keep hid. Everbody seem to be stayin' on the road to make time" Chance looked at the group, and finding only nods of agreement,continued."Since we been movin along most the night, I think we better sit a spell, and get into some of these vittles we brung. Soon be daytime, but I think we can go on in the light now, since no one seems to be hereabouts."
A pleased murmur greeted this suggestion, and they all sat comfortably on the ground as Betsy and her mother took packs from the men, and began handing out a portion of the sparse rations they had brought with them. Chance and Barney,prior to setting off had each stuffed a burlap bag half full of whatever they could find in the kitchen which they felt would survive the trip. Not being accustomed to a great variety, they took what they recognised as that food which would sustain them for an extended time.
Their normal food consisted of hard tack, a tasteless concoction made of flour and water,baked into a thin hard biscuit. Chitterlings,the boiled intestines of pig,sometimes called chitlins, which were then fried. Also salt pork, bacon,and dried pork skin. This was their normal allotted on which they knew they could survive so this is what they had brought.
As they rested and enjoyed their first meal since leaving, the sun was beginning to show the contour of the land, the morning air was fresh and full of birdsong, and off to the right of them was a small brook, with clear water beckoning.
Betsy leaned back against a tree,munching on the chitlins in her hand, allowing her mind to dwell on the lovely new day, listening to the sound of the red bird in the tree beside her. She was amazed that she was sitting here as a free person,not awaiting the commands which she had learned to accept as far back as she could remember. She felt a thrill go through her,as she thought ahead to what her life could become, and immediately thought of young Robin. He had never vocalised his feelings toward her, but she could tell by the way his face would break into a smile when their eyes met, and the occasional surreptitious touch of his hand on hers, that he thought of her as more than just a friend. And she knew that he understood her feelings for him. This was a lovely morning to dwell on the promise to come.
James was also enjoying the respite from the journey they were on, finding solace and inspiration from the holy words he had become so accustomed to reading. It seemed that for every challenge in his life, he could find a counterpart in the bible, showing him the answer to his own dilemma. As he read now, he was content and sure of the rightness of his belief that God's white heaven had a place for all men, regardless of how they were born.
Barney sat alone,staring at the tracks that he felt could lead him to that long wished for freedom, that now was, in his mind, becoming more of a possibility. His dream was to find a place where he could
become a permanent part of a community, which enjoyed the same opportunity to live independently, as he hoped for himself. He was aware of his strength, and he had often thought of a time when he had been given the job of caring for the horses, nailing on the shoes, after trimming the hooves. He loved the strength of horses, and felt capable of handling them.Also he had been called upon more than once to assist in the making of wagon wheels, and although he was not yet proficient in their completion, he had every confidence that he could learn the trade. Being a wheelwright or blacksmith or even both, would suit him just fine.
From where he sat he could see Chance and James, sitting on a log and James seemed to be staring at some papers that Chance had handed him. As he was watching, chance suddenly stood up and motioned for him and the rest of the party to gather round.
When they were all assembled, Chance began. "Folks, I have been given these papers" gesturing toward James, by the mistuh at the house, to give to you all, but I never was right sure what they meant till now. Mistuh Barton told me they would let people know we were set free. You each got your own paper, and now that I know that James can make out what these marks mean, I want him to tell it to you." At this, he motioned for James to read the papers.
James stood up, and explained,"Whenever a nigre is put on his own with no master, the one who paid the money for you can write down on paper that he is letting you go, and no one owns you anymore. Well that's just what Mastuh Barton did here and these papers all say the same, 'cept each one of you has your own paper with your name on it. So people would know who you are, he gave you his name too,so now you all have a first name and a last name. I will read what it says. The words are pretty fancy and I don't understand it all, but them that reads it will know."
And he began to read."To whomsoever reads this document,let it be known that this negro, Chance Barton, being my sole property, is henceforth,released from ownership and is no longer a chattel of any man or woman. Be it known that the holder of this document can travel about unencumbered, and unclaimed by any person. Furthermore, any person who would use the bearer of this document in any way other than as a free man, shall be in contempt of a legal decree set forth by the signature appended here, by the honorable Judge Amos T. Calhoun. So that's what it says, and each of you has your own paper with your name on it. You must keep this paper with you and never lose it. You need to show it if someone thinks you are runaways At least till we get up north where we will be safer."
They all sat in thoughtful silence, going over in their minds,this verification of their new status of freedom. A tear furrowed down Barney's cheek, as he realised he was now his own man, and need answer to none but himself.
Betsy's face broke into a grin. "Is it true our family name is all Barton" Chance told her "Yes daughter, I guess that's the way it is" as he looked to James for affirmation. At James' smiling nod, Betsy jumped up, and said,"That makes us all family, don't it?"
"I already thought of us that way,"Libby said, "but this ices the cake honey" her mother said.
Chance smiled,as he began again."They's one more thing I want to tell you all. Before we left, Massuh Barton gave me some gold money. He say it ain't a lot but might help us on our way." He then pulled out a sock which had been hanging 'round his neck by a rawhide string. He shook the shiney coins out in his hand, to a unified intake of breath from them all. Most had never seen money, and none had ever had any."This belongs to us all together, and we has to all say the same in how we ever use it." As he held the coins in his hand,Robin came over,inspected them and remarked on how pretty and smooth they were.
At that Chance returned the coins to their hiding place, And began making preparations to continue the journey.
Libby was more inclined to be sceptical about the possibility of simply walking away into freedom. Since as far back as her memory could reach, no hope or aspiration was allowed.in her mind. Her life was not her own, her sole purpose forever was meant to obey the directions and whims of her owners. The concept of having another existance removed from servitude was foreign to her, but here now was this notion that she and the love of her life, could somehow live together in a home of their own, caused her heart to race, not only in the joy of hope, but in the fear of hoping for the impossible. In her dreams, she had visualised herself in a small cabin, with colored cloth curtains on the windows,and a door with a lock which would only allow those who were invited, to enter.
But now she was becoming sure of one truth. Their life would never be the same as before, she only held the hope, that they were not heading for a worse fate than that from which they were fleeing.
After the remaining food was returned to the bags, and given to Chance and Barney to carry, they exchanged looks of mild concern,with Barney putting the thought to word. "Well now Chance, seems our load is some lighter. Might be that ain't so good"
Chance simply smiled at Barney, and they resumed their march.