Bid For Freedom

Chapter 17

Moving the slaves was uneventful with the exception of the stares, glares and gossiping as they passed the other passengers.

Caleb was glad Dani had remained in the cabin. He caught snatches of the conversations as they passed.Sam cowered against him as they walked through the crowd.

"Killed a man." "Should be in chains." "Don't belong up here." "Monster."

"It's okay, Sam. Just keep close to me."

Sam sniffed. "Missy Dani?"

"She's safe. She should be sleeping."

"Doubt she'll sleep through this," Jeremy muttered.

"Yeah. Keep walkin'." Caleb paused next to the captain. Sam reached out and grasped his belt.

"Here's the key. Either you or your man will be in the room or guarding the door at all times."

Caleb nodded his agreement as he unlocked the door. "In here, boys."

He passed a peppermint stick to Sam as he passed.

Jeremy chuckled. "You're learning."

"Something." Caleb grinned. "I couldn't decide if you were the monster they were talking about or him."

"Me. Definitely me."

"Who has the first shift?"

Jeremy sighed and shrugged. "Your choice."

"Stay here while I check on Dani. I'll take the first shift."

"You're trusting me with your wife?" Jeremy asked with a wink.

"Not a chance. But, I am trusting you to not touch her because you'll be sleeping."

Jeremy chuckled. "You know me better."

"I know you all too well. I also know we need to be sharp if we're gonna get out of this."

Caleb turned and walked to this cabin. Dani sat at the edge of the bunk, huddled in a blanket. Caleb pulled the chair around to face her.

"There was some trouble," he started.

"Sam?"

Caleb shook his head. "He's fine. We've moved the men to a cabin nearby."

"Why?"

"Jeremy had some, um, trouble with some of the sailors. He killed one in self defense."

Dani stiffened.

"It'll be fine. Either Jeremy or I will need to be with the men for the remainder of the voyage. I'll need you to stay in the cabin. This is a more rambunctious crew than I'm comfortable with."

Dani nodded as Caleb rose.

"Oh. Jeremy might need a few stitches. Do you have a sewing kit?"

Dani shrugged. "I'll look."

"Thanks, Dani."

Darkness was falling when Jeremy returned to the cabin. Caleb stretched and yawned. "Did ya sleep?"

Jeremy winced. "Not really. Dani made me lay still so she could stitch me up. Thought I'd die. She didn't even give me any whiskey."

Caleb chuckled. "I'll buy you a bottle when we land tomorrow."

Jeremy huffed. "I'll hold ya to that."

Caleb wandered through the boat, checking their horses and supplies before heading back to his cabin.

Dani backed into a corner when he entered. He bolted the door and headed for the bunk, kicking his boots off as he walked. He lay on the blankets, throwing an arm over his face.

"Are you hungry?"

Caleb moved his arm enough to look at Dani. "I could eat."

She smiled. "That sweet woman dropped by a plate earlier. She seemed shocked that Jeremy was here and you weren't."

Caleb chuckled. "I can see how that'd be upsetting."

Dani shot him a questioning glance. He ignored it and shoved a piece of roast beef into his mouth. He chewed the tough cut of meat and swallowed. He grinned as he spotted the whiskey bottle on the table. "Jeremy complained that you didn't have any whiskey."

Dani looked shocked. "He drank more than I poured in that cut."

"He'll have to learn to destroy or hide the evidence better. He tried to swindle me out of a bottle when we land tomorrow."

"What happens then?"

"You and me go shopping for supplies. Jeremy and the men will get the horses. Once we're done, we head out."

"Will Sam be safe?"

"I'm honestly thinking of bringing him with us." He shook his head. "I dunno."

He shoved another bite in his mouth and chewed slowly.

Dani moved closer, eyeing the plate.

"Have you eaten?"

She shook her head.

"Why?"

"Slaves don't eat first, sir."

Caleb held out the plate. "Good grief, Dani. Take some food. There's plenty."

She reached out with a trembling hand and took a roll.

"Some meat too. And the greens. They're good for you." Caleb chuckled. "I sound like Rosa."

Dani attempted a smile as she made a sandwich. "Is Rosa your wife?"

"Nah. She's the housekeeper at the ranch. My almost-mother."

Dani nodded as she barely chewed before she swallowed.

"Seriously, when was the last time you ate?"

She looked down and shrugged. "I stole some food off your plate the other night."

Caleb slammed the plate onto the trunk. "Dammit Dani. Listen to me. You're just as important as anyone else on this trip. You don't wait for anyone to eat. You may eat when everyone else eats. Do you understand."

She scooted backwards on the floor, her eyes wide with alarm.

Caleb took a deep breath, realizing he'd scared her. "Listen. I don't believe in owning slaves. The idea curls my stomach. I'm treating the men like men. I'm expecting them to give me a full day's work. They'll be taken care of. Fed. Clothed. Whatever they need. I don't rule with an iron fist. Anything I ask one of them to do, I'll be willing to do as well. Same with you. You don't need to fear me."

Dani shuddered.

Caleb sighed and turned away, hating himself for frightening her. He stretched out on Jeremy's bunk and closed his eyes. He cracked an eye when he heard a movement in the room. Dani crept forward and crammed the remaining food into her mouth. She's starving. I feel like such a heel for not noticing sooner. What's it been? A week since her last real meal?