About twenty yards from the cabin was a
small corncrib, or granary, that looked somewhat like a chicken coop, only
taller. The corncrib was used to stack harvested corn in so it could dry and be
used during the winter months. There were slits between the planks of the
corncrib roughly an inch wide which allowed air to circulate through the corn
to keep it dry, but when it was raining like it was now staying dry was
virtually impossible.
Harriet led her group out of the rain
and into the corncrib. The granary building was built on stilts about two feet
high so rodents couldn’t get to the contents inside. Ben helped his wife and
child up into the corncrib followed by the two cousins. Everyone climbed in and
sat down to rest their weary muscles. The cold rain still flitted in through
the wide slits, but it wasn’t as bad as walking through it unprotected.
“Merry Christmas, ever’one,” said Jane.
“It’s Christmas?” asked Kyla.
“Yes, ma’am,” said Robert. “Christmas
morn.”
“Do you know who lives in that house,
Harriet?” asked Zammie.
“Yep. That’s our folk’s place,” said
Harriet.
“Your parents? Are we here to see them
for Christmas?” asked Kyla.
“Not quite, child. It’s too dangerous
for them to see us.”
“You gotta remember we fugitives now,”
Robert said to Kyla. “Once word spreads that we ran away, our owners will be
out here questioning our folks in a hurry. Best if they don’t see us.”
“Mmhmm. ‘Specially mama,” said Harriet.
“Papa can know we here, but I bet he won’t come see us. And we need to get us
some vittles to eat.”
“You want me go to the cabin?” asked
Henry.
“No,” said Harriet. “I wanna send
someone papa don’t know so he don’t get all excited when he opens the door.
Imma send these two.” Harriet looked straight at the cousins.
“Us?” asked Zammie. “What do you want us
to say?”
“Just knock on the door, tell him his
sons are in the corncrib, and we need food. If he asks you any questions then
just tell him you don’t know nothin’. Tell ‘im Minty didn’t tell ya nothin’.”
“Okay,” said Zammie. “Who’s Minty?”
“That’s papa’s nickname for Harriet
cause they named her Araminta,” said Robert.
“Oh,” said Zammie.
“You can do that for us?” asked Harriet.
“Yes, ma’am,” said the cousins.
Zammie looked at Kyla, “Ready?”
“Ready,” she said.
The two children got up and walked back
out into the dark and rainy night. They ran quickly along the muddy path to the
cabin. They reached the front door and Zammie was about to knock when it opened
up. An old black man with gray hair wearing a tan cloth shirt stared down at
them.
--from Time Trip #2:
A Ride on the Underground Railroad
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE SERIES AVAILABLE NOW!
TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
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