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Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas on the Underground Railroad!


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 1
THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2
A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3
WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 
Available at Amazon.com!  

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4
KILLING FOR COUNTRY  
Available at Amazon.com! 

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