Bid For Freedom

Chapter 19

"Where is she?" Caleb shouted. "It's been hours since anyone's seen her."

"I don't know, Caleb. Maybe she and Sam ran. Maybe they just wandered away like the ranger suggested. I think we need to secure the slaves we have with the supplies we have and head out on horseback. The search'll go much faster that way."

Caleb cursed, knowing Jeremy was right. "Fine. Find a spot. There'll be hell to pay if she's gone."

Jeremy led the rag-tag procession to the nearest livery and requested a stall. "I'll pay you a dollar for accommodations for the night for me, my men and my supplies."

The livery owner finally nodded.

"There'll be a bonus if everything is untouched and everyone is still here when we get back." Jeremy flashed another coin before pocketing it.

"Yes, sir. Pull the wagon in here. The team can go in that stall and the men in the one next to it."

Jeremy nodded.

Caleb swung into the saddle, irritated with the delay. The sun was disappearing behind the buildings as he trotted his horse through the streets. He tried not to think of the awful things that could have happened. He cursed as a light drizzle burst from the clouds.

Jeremy's horse trotted around a corner. "Anything?"

"Nothing," Caleb shouted.

Jeremy reined his horse another direction and rushed off through the thickening mire.

Caleb guided his horse past an alley, intent on catching a man rushing down the street.

"Massah?"

Caleb pulled his horse to a stop. The horse lost his footing in the mucky mess, toppling Caleb into the mud.

"Blasted animal! Get back here!"

Instead, the horse galloped off into the gathering darkness.

Caleb threw his hands in the air. "Great! Now I'm looking for slaves AND my horse." He tromped through the mud toward the boardwalk, muttering to himself.

"Massah Caleb?" A hulking form detached itself from the shadows in the alley.

"Sam?"

"Massah Caleb? You habs my pepmint? I beed good."

"Where've you been? Where's Dani?"

"She be here." Sam pointed down the alley. "You habs pepmint? I beed good. I done what Missy Dani sayd."

Caleb stepped into the dark alley, pausing for his eyes to adjust. "Where's Dani?"

Sam pointed to a crate near the back steps to a store. Dani lay curled inside as if hiding.

"Dani? Come on out." When she didn't move, he turned a questioning look to Sam.

Sam shrugged. "She be hurtin'."

"Why?"

"Dunno, Massah."

Caleb knelt by the crate. "Dani? You're safe. Come on out." He reached out a hand and touched her shoulder relieved to feel warmth and her involuntary jerk. "Come on, darlin'."

Sam knelt beside him, his head bowed. "Massah? I beed good."

"I'm sure you were. I need to get Dani out."

Sam reached out a beefy fist and pried the crate away from the house, dumping Dani onto the ground. She shrieked and backpedaled away from them, her dress tangling in her legs.

Caleb set his jaw and wrapped an arm around her waist, dragging her to her feet. "Let's get to the livery and then we can figure out how bad she's hurt."

Dani's fists pummeled his arms as he dragged her through the mud. Sam placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Massah, lemme carry Missy Dani."

Caleb released a sigh of relief as Sam hefted her into his arms. A pistol cocked nearby, sending a shiver down Caleb's spine. A sailor stepped out of the shadows.

"See boys? Told ya that girl was the key to the whole operation. Now that we know how to handle the giant, we know how to get paid. The only wild card is you. Isn't it 'Massah.'"

"What did you do to Dani?"

A wicked smile crossed the sailor's face. "Only a bit o' chloroform. The real fun'll start later. Won't it boys?"

Several muffled cheers echoed through the darkness.

"Massah?"

"Stay close, Sam." He felt Sam shift behind him and silently counted his opponents. Three, four, six. Six against one. His mind raced as the rain picked up. He thought he heard his name called but couldn't be sure through the downpour. As if through slow motion, he watched as the first man lunged forward. Caleb dodged and dropped a blow to the back of the man's head. The man fell to the ground. Caleb twisted as another man threw a punch. Right. Left. Right. Uppercut.

Caleb kept his fists raised as the remaining men circled. Sam roared behind him. Caleb's eyes widened as a man's skull shattered against the wall. He doubled over as a rifle connected with his gut. Gasping for breath, Caleb tried to remember how to defend himself. He fell to the ground as stars exploded through his skull. He was barely aware of the crack of the pistol through the roaring in his ears.

Caleb groaned as his head was jerked back. A knife glinted in the moonlight. He closed his eyes, knowing what was coming. The knife cut into his shoulder as the man jerked backward.

Jeremy's face materialized in the middle of his swirling vision. He blinked as water drizzled over his face.

His arm was lifted as Jeremy stepped under it and pulled him to his feet. "This way. Gotta hurry. The rangers are comin'." He groaned as strong arms lifted him into the saddle. "Sam. Take this horse and lead him around the corner. I'll get Dani."