FIVE
Their last journey together stretched into a third day after the delay in Oxford.
Aside from the aches and pains of foot travel, it was uneventful until they reached Halifax County.
They were so focused on making up the time that it startled them when the dogs stopped and growled.
There was no time to hide and nowhere to go, as the forest had thinned out closer to town.
Standing her full six feet, Mary motioned for Maggie to stand behind her and she ordered the dogs to heel.
A gang of men rode into view. None wore a uniform, indicating they were either part of the confederacy or militia. They drew nearer, and Maggie could guess at their ages. They were older, except for one middle-aged man missing a leg and a teenage boy who accompanied them.
“Home guard,” Mary whispered under her breath.
Feeling the weight of her pack with the Union uniform concealed inside, Maggie’s pulse began to race. She hadn’t reached for the pistol since finding Mary, and it wouldn’t do her much good now, but she wished there was something to hold. Instead, she dug her nails into her palm.
These men were once considered to be my protection.
“Ladies,” the gentleman, missing one leg, tipped his hat. “I don’t think we’ve met. What brings y’all to Halifax?”
When he edged his horse closer, Bob growled. Quickly, Mary snapped, “Heel,” and the dog circled around to stand at her side.
“Nice pack of hounds. We could use those around here.” The man spat tobacco juice to the side.
Mary ignored his comment. “Here to see Reverend Adams.”
“Adams? Hmm, don’t know him.”
“Yes, you do.” A teenage boy piped up from the back. “He’s the visiting preacher.”
“Oh, the old man?” He feigned surprise. “What would a pair of young ladies like yourself want with him?”
Mary squared her shoulders, attempting to impress her stature. “Nothing of your concern. We’ll be on our way.”
Kicking his horse, the man reined in close to Mary and Maggie, ignoring the dogs. This time, Mary didn’t order them to stop, and they all stood on edge with the hair on their backs raised. “Lady, everything that goes on in this town is my business.”
Maggie unconsciously stepped back. In the past, it had been she who pushed boundaries. She reached forward and touched Mary’s hand. At her contact, Mary backed down. “I have a letter for him.”
Pulling it from her pocket, she’d sewn into her skirt, she held it up. Maggie recognized it as the letter that John had given her. Panic made her shake as she wondered what was in that letter. Neither of them had read it. Suppose John had detailed their desired destination?
The man snatched it from her hand. “From Mr. John H. Mills of Oxford Female Seminary. He says that he’s sending two prospects to Reverend W.B. Adams to accompany him on his journeys.” He glanced skeptically between Mary and the dogs. “You interested in ministry?”
“They do say faith is profound during war,” Mary said, quoting John. “But they never said to leave behind good hounds.” Reaching around to her pack, she pulled out another squirrel one of them had found that morning and tossed it to him.
He caught her offering and cackled deliriously. Mary’s dry sarcasm seemed to amuse him. He threw the squirrel back to another man behind him. “A good hound is worth its weight in gold, I’ll give ya that. Give my best to the old man preacher. We’ll be by to check in soon.”
Smacking his horse forward, they moved out, leaving Mary and Maggie in the dust.
“How did you know that would work? That letter could’ve gotten us killed,” Maggie hissed as soon as they were gone.
Mary was solemn. “I trust John.”
Anxiety ebbing away, Maggie exhaled. “You’re right… You saved our necks after all. Thank you.”
But Mary didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, she looked incredibly sad. Scratching Bob’s head, she spoke softly to the dogs, “Good boys.”
Shame filled Maggie at her outburst. Somehow, she had managed to hurt Mary’s feelings. The woman might appear tough, but she was the same as the rest of them.
“Mary…I truly am sorry I doubted you. If you hadn’t stepped in, I’d probably be headed for a jail cell, or worse.”
“Because you carry your man’s uniform?” Mary asked point-blank.
Maggie swallowed hard. She hadn’t thought that Ruth had disclosed all the details when she hired Mary to help her. “Yes.”
Mary just nodded at her. “You’re scared. At least you didn’t climb up my back like a tree trunk.”
Maggie groaned at the joke. “Will you never let me forget that?”
“Nope,” Mary said flatly. “Let’s get out of here.” She whistled at the dogs, pointing them ahead, and Maggie knew she had been forgiven.
When they entered the town, they once again drew attention but were quick to find the chapel.
It was a good-sized building, complete with smooth planked sides.
There was actually a bell in the steeple.
A small house stood just a little way behind it.
An unhitched wagon was out front. Bypassing the church, they tried the house first and knocked on the door.
To Maggie’s surprise, a black man opened the door. “May I help you?”
“We’re looking for Reverend W.B. Adams?”
“One moment.” He left the door ajar and disappeared inside.
“I won’t be able to stay long,” Mary said when he was gone. “I need to make my way out of the town before nightfall.”
Maggie’s heart throbbed at the thought of being left alone, but she knew Mary was right.
The man returned, supporting an elderly man dressed in a suit. “I heard someone was inquiring after me. How might I be of service?”
“Hello, Reverend. I am Margaret Ackerman, and this is my companion, Mary Burson. I believe you are acquainted with her cousin, John Mills.”
Delight spread on his face. “Oh, John! How is he? Do come in, my dears.”
Leaving the dogs outside, Maggie and Mary entered a small sitting area. It was beautifully decorated, speaking to a woman’s touch.
“Please, sit. Make yourselves welcome,” Adams encouraged.
They sat on the small couch, Mary’s frame taking up more than half the space.
Once the reverend was situated in his own chair, the unnamed man handed him a pair of spectacles.
“Thank you, Tucker.” Adams eyed the visitors.
“I can see the resemblance between you and your cousin, Miss Burson. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
She smiled at him, not offended in the slightest. “We have a letter for you from John.” She passed it to him, and they allowed him to read the note.
He removed his spectacles when he’d finished. “As it happens, I’ve been feeling called to extend my reach further north. My wife recently passed. Tucker here has been helping me in her absence. I hadn’t wanted to ask him to travel, so I’ve stayed put.”
At the mention of Tucker, Maggie glanced over at him again.
After he helped Reverend Adams to his chair, he sat in another next to him.
She had tried to keep her eyes fixed away from him, a mixture of emotions threatening to swallow her whole.
Reverend Adams, a man of God, kept a slave? What hypocrisy had John sent them to?
Sensing her unease, Adams clarified. “Tucker is a free man. Free to come and go as he pleases. He is paid for his time, and I am thankful for his help.” He smiled at Tucker, who appeared to genuinely smile back.
The heaviness from Maggie’s heart lifted slightly.
“Speaking of which, if you don’t need me for a few minutes, I’ll take lunch and be back shortly. You can speak to your guest privately,” Tucker addressed the reverend.
“Of course. Give my best to Mrs. Jones.”
Nodding a farewell towards the women, Tucker left.
The reverend directed the conversation back to business at hand. “Tell me where specifically you seek to go, Miss Ackerman. John didn’t say where in his letter. Only that you were to accompany me on my travels.”
“Richmond or Petersburg is the goal. But I’m not exactly sure…
I’m looking for an acquaintance to help with a family matter.
The last word I had from him was that he would be heading towards that area.
If you could just get me into a Union camp, I could inquire about his whereabouts.
The sooner, the better, that this matter is handled. ”
Adams glanced at the ring on her finger.
“I am gathering the business is quite urgent. Interesting that John sent you to me, considering I don’t travel very fast.” Maggie’s heart plummeted at his reply.
At every turn, she hit a dead end. “But what I can guarantee is that you two will be safer with me than on your own.”
Mary coughed. “Actually, it would be just me,” Maggie corrected. “Mrs. Burson must return to Oxford.”
He looked troubled. “Oh. Well, that does change things. My dear, I hate to disappoint you, but we wouldn’t be able to travel alone together. It isn’t proper. Your reputation—”
No. “Forgive me, sir,” she cut in. “But my reputation is the least of my concerns. I have traveled hundreds of miles, and I refuse to give up now. Not when people that I love are at stake. You’re not the first man to worry about appearances.
And while I appreciate your concern, I feel that I’m the only one who can judge that.
Please, don’t let that be the reason you won’t help me.
The room was silent except for the clock on the shelf slowly ticking away.
He sighed. “Who am I to argue with such a speech? But I still don’t believe my congregation would see it the same way… If my wife were here to come on the journey, I wouldn’t hesitate. John had no way of knowing she had passed. I truly am sorry, Miss Ackerman.”
She mustered as much courage as she could. “We won’t take up any more of your time.”
“There’s no need to rush out. Stay and rest—” The man looked miserable, having defeated their purpose in finding him.
“We must both be on our way,” Maggie said hurriedly. “Thanks for the tea.”