7 Secrets Never to Be Told

Chapter 4

Lucas and Jean moved swiftly down King Street where there was a break from the flames. Steam came off the wet handkerchiefs they used to cover their mouths. They hoped it would stop the smoke from entering their lungs. It did not work; they still choked. The heat coming in waves was so forceful it stopped their progress and the sky rained down ash.

They also had a difficult time moving through crowd of people escaping, and the abandoned furniture thrown off carts laid everywhere. After struggling for half an hour, a walk that normally would have taken ten minutes, they arrive at Market Slip.

They first encountered men carrying two young constable's bodies away across the Slip and up Chipman Hill. They continued, and found Abel lying on his side on the cobblestones, and Michael's body on top of a vegetable table where a young woman was trying to stop the bleeding.

Jean hurried to Abel's side to see if he was alive. A few observers shrieked at him claiming that Abel was a murderer who deserved his beating and much more. There were even darker words of hanging him. Both Lucas and Jean screeched at the crowd that he was their friend and was most likely trying to protect Michael.

The bullies backed off. A few repentant men from the mob assisted Jean in lifting Abel on top of a large market table. Looking around for Seth's men, he noticed that there were fewer and fewer people left in the market place. They too, left to escape, as the fire finally reached the Slip. Jean placed his head on Abel's chest to listen for a heartbeat and called out to Lucas.

"He's alive. I am pretty sure he has a head injury and maybe some broken bones. We have to get them to safety."

A large carriage pulled by four matching steeds raced at breakneck speed down Dock Street. Its driver expertly dodging crates, and people, halted at feet of Lucas who was relieved to see Mr. Gray at the reins.

"My God, Gray, I could kiss you. You are a blessing on this dreadful day."

"Just doing my duty to Lord Williams, and his family, Master Lucas; I have a doctor attending to Lord Williams at his lodgings."

He jumped out to hold the horses steady as the sight of flames and the smell of smoke frighten the big beasts.

"The young Lord is doing unbelievably well under the circumstances. Thank our good Lord the doctor will be there now, as I see Master Michael will need his services."

"No chitchat Gray we have to get Michael and Abel to safe ground."

"Abel sir, really? But he is a ....."

"Yes, I'm quite aware he is a Negro, Mr. Gray, but nevertheless, he is our friend and in great need. Help us lift them into the carriage. Gently gentlemen, they are in a bad way."

Now with Abel on one side seat with Jean, and Michael across from them with Lucas, they headed off with a crack of a whip. Daniel's lodgings were only three blocks away but up one of the steepest street in the city.

The suffocating heat followed them to the wooden doors of the residence of Mr. Lemmon. Their carriage horses' eyes watered, noses ran and fur coated in foam by the time Mr. Gray pulled the brakes on. Mr. Lemmon himself, with his manservants, had been waiting for their arrival. A young boy ran to gather the harnesses of the lead horses and calmed them. Lucas and three men lifted Michael from the carriage with Walter Lemmon barking orders.

When Jean tried to get help for Abel, after Michael's body was in the house, it was a different tune. Shocked Mr. Lemmon exclaimed.

"You cannot bring the likes of him into my home."