Rose Ten: Going Home

By Christopher Charles

She raised the lantern higher and looked in the mirror over the bar. She was bleeding from her head and arm. Her hair was a mess and mixed in with the blood. Her left hand was dripping blood over the crowbar she held. Her dress was in shreds and barely holding together. She had dirt from the holes sticking to the other parts of her body. She dro

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Colerick
• Release date: Dec 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781950901395

Book preview

Copyright 2/21/09

11527513771

Rose Chronicles

Rose One   Witches Brew

Rose Two   Indian Curse

Rose Three   The Flood

Rose Four   The Island

Rose Five   The Spook

Rose Six   Passage

Rose Seven   Gambler

Rose Eight   St Louis

Rose Nine   River Race

Rose Ten   Going Home

Rose Eleven   School Experiment.

Rose Twelve  Slave Boat

Rose Thirteen  Preparation

Rose Fourteen  The Trail

Rose Fifteen  Indian Boy

Rose Sixteen  Rose, The Indian

10 Going Home

By Christopher Charles

Prologue

Ana is sold into slavery. Rose is trying to save her, but her physical condition has not improved, she cannot even remember who she is.

1 Deals

Colonel Gatewood was taken to the infirmary. They had given him a private room and nurse. A small bed was brought in for Ana and placed against the window in his room. They assumed she was his personal slave and allowed her to stay with him. He did nothing to change this notion. She needed protection. She was safe with him.

Lying on his back, he looked around. His bed was large and comfortable. He heard Ana sleeping. Yes, the Young Lady has been through a lot for her first time outside of her house. He was tired, but his mind wanted to be sure he had not missed anything. He assumed Rose was in another room being taken care of. The poor girl is probably fast asleep, he said to himself. He would check on her tomorrow.

He heard the nurse come in the room. She stood above him a moment before she asked, Are you awake, sir?

The Colonel opened his eyes, Yes ma'am. Do you need something?

 A Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are here to see you, sir. Should I show them in?

Do you know what they want?

They said something about your boat, the Shanadoa."

The Colonel worked himself up on his pillow, Okay, show them in.

She left and a moment later Mrs. and Mr. Paterson entered.

The Colonel looked at them, Do I know you?

No sir, Mr. Peterson said. This is my wife Mrs. Peterson.

Pleased to meet you, ma'am. You must pardon my appearance, but I have had a very hard day.

Sorry sir, Mr. Peterson said. We would not have interrupted your evening if it wasn't very important.

Yes? The Colonel asked. He did not like playing these polite games when he was tired.

We understand from Mr. Clemens you own the Shanadoa, Mr. Peterson said.

Yes, that's right! Is he here?

Yes, his boat has docked.

Upon hearing her father’s name, Ana sat up in bed, Papa's here!

Mr. Peterson didn't expect Ana to be there. Only the semi‑dark room kept her from recognizing them. He quickly nodded to Mrs. Peterson, Yes, her father has asked us to bring you to him. He did not know the connection between Ana and Mr. Clemens until then, but it no longer mattered. They had to control Ana quickly.

Papa's here! Papa's here! Ana yelled and quickly found her dress and shoes.

Taking her from the room, Mrs. Peterson said, Come along, child. We can wait in the carriage while they discuss business.

Smiling, Ana followed Mrs. Peterson.

Mr. Peterson looked back at the Colonel, Now, the other problem is the Shanadoa. The Port Captain wants it off his dock.

Well, he will have to wait until morning. There's plenty of time tomorrow.

I can solve this problem for you, sir. I would like to buy your boat.

Whatever-for?

I need a barge. The bottom of the Shanadoa is still good. What would you want for it?

What would you be willing to give for it?

I could give you five hundred dollars. I know it's worth a lot more, but it's all I can afford.

Actually, I was thinking I might sink her off the coast. Five hundred dollars to save me the trouble is a bargain, sir.

Mr. Peterson took out five hundred dollars from his pocket along with some documents. He handed the Colonel the money, You need to be signing off, sir.

Yes, of course, Colonel Gatewood replied, and quickly signed the papers.

Finding another document in his pocket, Mr. Peterson handed it to the Colonel, You need to be signing this one too, sir.

Colonel Gatewood took the document and signed it, And my copy?

Yes sir, Mr. Peterson said and folded up a copy of the documents. He handed them to the Colonel, It's been nice doing business with you, sir.

The pleasure has been all mine, Colonel Gatewood replied and shook his hand.

Mr. Peterson dipped his hat and turned for the door.

Tell Mr. Clemens I want to see him come tomorrow morning, the Colonel yelled after him.

Mr. Peterson nodded, I will tell him. He quickly left the room.

Colonel Gatewood felt relieved and fell back into his bed. The loose ends were tied up, now he could sleep. In moments he was snoring loudly.

Outside the infirmary Mrs. Peterson had Ana in the carriage beside her. Mr. Peterson climbed inside and smiled. He tapped the ceiling of the carriage indicating to Jeffery he was ready to go. Jeffery gave the horse a lick and the carriage moved on down the street. The sound of the horse’s hooves made the only sound in the night fog.

Settling back, Mr. Peterson said, A good night's work, if I do say so myself.

Mrs. Peterson smiled, We have the boat?

Yes, and more! We have her.

Me? Suddenly Ana realized who they were. She started to leap from the carriage when Mr. Peterson pulled her back inside.

No, you don't! You're bought and paid for! He quickly withdrew short pieces of rope from the carriage side pocket. In seconds he had her legs and arms bound. Dropping her back beside Mrs. Peterson, he said. You belong to us.

I don't belong to anyone! Ana yelled.

Mr. Peterson withdrew a document from his pocket, This document says otherwise. I have the Colonel's signature saying he sold you to us.

He had no right to sell me! Ana said protesting. She tried to force her binding loose, but they were too tight. Giving up, she slid back into her seat.

Now dear, Mrs. Peterson said, We don't plan you any harm. In fact, you should use your natural charm, if you want to have an easy life. You could be placed inside instead of the field.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Come now, Mr. Peterson said. You are a natural to become a house mistress if you can control your temper. Otherwise you'll find yourself in the field house with the bucks.

Ana didn't say anymore. She was scared. They were taking her somewhere bad.

In minutes the carriage pulled up in front of the Shanadoa.

Ana felt the gag being placed in her mouth. She tried to resist, but Mr. Peterson was stronger and forced her to take it. She felt two large hands take her from the carriage. They were carrying her aboard the Shanadoa.

The big man, Mr. Steelman, entered the palace and dropped Ana up against the bar. He took two huge leg irons and wrapped them round her ankles. A thick chain connected the leg irons. He ran this chain through two small wrist irons before he snapped them on her arms. He took the end of the chain and placed it through a large spike. This he drove into the wood bar behind her. When he was finished, he cut her loose from her rope bindings.

There! The Big Man said. That ought to do it. He took the gag out of her mouth, Don't you go yelling out, or I'll be obliged to whip you. He stood and began checking the other chains.

Watching him, Ana realized there were other black people in the palace room. She was scared. She felt her body shaking. Where was Rose? She said she would protect her.

Mr. and Mrs. Peterson went aboard the Candis beside the Shanadoa. They found Captain Macy in his cabin on the third deck. Knocking on the door, they waited for the Captain to open it.

They saw the lantern being lit. Slowly they heard the door open. The Captain was standing in his nightshirt with his belly sticking out.

What on earth do you want now? Captain Macy asked.

We thought we would tell you the slaves are off your boat, Mr. Peterson said.

That's good! You could have waited until morning to tell me.

You said tonight, Captain. We thought it was important to tell you it was done.

Where did you end up putting them?

On the Shanadoa, Mr. Peterson said calmly.

What? The Captain yelled and pulled the Petersons inside his cabin. Closing the door, he whispered loudly, You gone loco! That's Mr. Clemens boat!

Taking the big hands of the Captain from his coat, Mr. Peterson calmly said, It no longer belongs to him. I bought the Shanadoa from Colonel Gatewood, the true owner of the boat. Mr. Clemens sold it to him before the start of the race. He produced a telegraph to that effect and showed him the signed document.

I don't care if you do own it! Captain Macy shouted. You get that wreck out of here! I can't have them talking to anyone here! I told you Mr. Clemens will be here in the morning!

I would like to oblige you, Mr. Peterson said. Really I would, but the Shanadoa has no boiler.

Then I be hauling her out for you, the Captain whispered loudly.

"You’ll be taking us to Panama City, Captain. I can sell them there