Faith and Hope

By John J. Law

"There's been a string of murders round town recently. A lot of these coloreds being strung up and murdered. Not very pleasant stuff."
Seagle smiled. He had an idea where this conversation was going to be headed. "Not very pleasant for who? For you, or for the negroes?"
Wertham raised an eyebrow at Seagle. "Whatever do you mean?"

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Dec 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223008248

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Homecoming

It was a long ride for Jacob Seagle, and it showed. His clothes were dusty and tattered, his saddle was worn and rough. His horse was ragged and exhausted and needed new horseshoes, and Jacob himself had, had little sleep. He had almost forgotten how long it had been since he rested, but he and his steed pushed on. Both of them had been pushed to their limits, but they endured through sheer force of their wills. Now, the end of their long and grueling journey was at hand, and they both could hopefully rest. Or that was what they hoped for. Jacob realized this, and he smiled in spite of his weariness.

Jacob gently caressed his horse's mane, releasing his grip on the reins for a short while. The horse had seen several battles, just like Jacob, and many times Jacob felt like it was his only friend. That, and a good firearm.

Take it easy boy. We're almost back home, he whispered.

The horse's nerves were calmed just a little bit, and the animal responded with a wider and a more deliberate stride. The animal did not understand the words, but the tone of Jacob's voice, and his hand on its mane were all the horse needed for reassurance.

Jacob came upon four figures in the distance. They were cooking food lazily over a campfire, and Jacob immediately recognized them, even from afar. The four men did not recognize Jacob in the distance and pulled out their guns tensely. Once Jacob got closer, they all immediately holstered their guns.

Take it easy boys. It's Jake Seagle! One of the men said.

Howdy, Fenton, Jake said.

Been awhile Jake. Me and the boys thought you died in the battle of...

I didn't. Reports of my unfortunate demise were unfortunately a tad over-zealous like, Jake said.

Fenton and the other men remained silent for a while before Fenton himself spoke. Glad to see you survived the war, Jake. Too bad our side lost.

Jake shrugged his shoulders and stared a hole through Fenton. I guess that's just the way it is, Fenton. When you're out there fighting, neither side seems right or appealing. After all of the bloodshed, you just want the fighting to end either way, and that's just what happened.

Says who, Jake? I sure didn't want to lose my land to no blueshirts.

Fenton's right, Jake. You came home to nothing here. The government took everything here. They took most of the land, under some silly pretense of unity and such. Most of them black men are a lot better off than we are now.

Jacob shook his head, as he kept his gaze fixed on the men. I know that, and I don't like it myself. Either way, I'm going home to get some rest. I've been fighting a mighty long time and...

"Maybe you didn't hear what we said earlier, Jake. The blueshirts took all our property.