Part 7 (1/2)

I didn't know exactly who Mr. Few was or what he was talking about, but it had to do with the convention, that was pretty clear. Some way, he and Mr. Fatherscreft was bargaining out what would happen to us black people if a new const.i.tution got written. It was sort of queer that it was all going to be decided by white folks, and us black folks wouldn't have no say in it at all. But we had to be thankful that at least there was some white people around like Mr. Fatherscreft who was on our side and would try to get the best bargain he could for us.

”What about prohibiting the further importation of slaves?” Mr. Fatherscreft said.

”We'll support a compromise that blocks any interference with the foreign slave trade for twenty years,” Mr. Few said.

”And after that, William?”

”We wish the question of the further importation of Negroes to be left open after the twenty-year period. It can be taken up again then. Let the next generation decide whether Negroes shall or shall not be imported.”

Mr. Fatherscreft didn't say nothing but lay in his bed, staring down at his hands. ”My people were hoping for something better, William. We didn't expect that the new const.i.tution would prohibit slavery now, but we were hoping that we could see that happening in the near future.”

Mr. Few pursed his lips. ”There's too much opposition. The big planters see the whole agricultural system as based on slavery. They can't bargain this away. They won't interfere if the Northern states decide to give up their own slaves, but the Southerners can't allow themselves to be put in a position where someday a group of new states will vote against them.”

”In other words we're going to create a country with slave labor in the South and free labor in the north-a country divided from its first day.”

”It is the best compromise we can get, Peter.”

Mr. Fatherscreft sighed. ”And what about the fugitive-slave law?”

”We must have it. The more Northern country that's free territory, the easier it'll be for Southern blacks to run away. Why, with this compromise all they have to do is paddle across the Ohio River to get to free soil. Hundreds, maybe thousands, are running away every year as it is. We've got to protect our property. That's what a government is for, isn't it? And these black folks are our most valuable property. The Northerners will have to agree to help us recover the runaways.”

Mr. Fatherscreft shook his head. ”It's asking too much, William. It'll rankle those of us who are opposed to slavery to be forced to a.s.sist in returning fugitives to their owners.”

Suddenly it struck me that they was talking about me. I was a fugitive slave. I'd run off, there was no question about that, even if I did mean to go back and pay Captain Ivers for myself. I was a fugitive slave, and if the const.i.tution came out the way Mr. Few wanted it, why, Mr. Fatherscreft and Mr. Fraunces would be obliged by law to turn me back to Captain Ivers or risk going to jail themselves.

”I understand the feelings of your people, Peter. You know I lived many years among Quakers. But in the Congress, I represent the state of Georgia. And I have to tell you that in the South there's the fear that anti-slavery folks will encourage slaves to run away unless there are strong measures taken to prevent it.”

”Isn't there any way around it, William?”

”I'm afraid not.”

There it was. They'd bargained away the chance for thousands of black folks to escape, me included. The minute the const.i.tution was agreed to, anybody who knew me would be bound by law to catch me and send me back to the Iverses in chains. Oh, it made me sad and sick to think of it. But there wasn't anything I could do about it. To them, I was just a fugitive slave and didn't matter more'n an ant matters to a dog. I didn't want to hear any more of it, either. They wasn't paying attention to me, so I opened the door real quiet, slipped out of the room, and went on down the back stairs to the kitchen.

I tell you, I was pretty mixed up in my feelings. On the one hand, they'd bargained us blacks into slavery forever. On the other hand, if there was no bargain, maybe there'd be no new government and my soldiers' notes wouldn't be worth a penny.

I went back down to the stables, found the oil-cloth with the notes in it, and tucked it under my s.h.i.+rt. Then they gave me a rag and some water and sent me out front to wash the windows along the Broad Street side. After a while Mr. Fraunces and Mr. Few came down and got into a carriage and went off. Mr. Fraunces gave me a look as he pa.s.sed by, but he didn't say nothing. Then around lunchtime Nosy came out with her barrow and headed off to the docks for fish.

Polis.h.i.+ng windows was easy work, so I went slow and careful to make it last longer. And I was still working on the Broad Street side when Nosy came back with her barrow. I was glad to see her. When you got down to it, she was the best friend I had there-maybe the only one, too. She was all right, even if she was just a child, and nosy in the bargain. ”Hey, Nosy,” I said. ”How about stealing me a roll when you're in the kitchen.”

”You can't get yourself in enough trouble, you got to get me in some, too, Dan?”

”And get a nice big piece of cheese, too.”

She stuck out her tongue at me, and I started to laugh. But then I stopped right quick, for coming along Broad Street about fifty feet behind Nosy was Captain Ivers and Big Tom. Quick as a flash I ducked into the front door, dashed through the dining room, and went on up the back stairs, but I knew they'd spotted me, for as I went through the door I heard Captain Ivers shout my name. I flew up the stairs, ran into Mr. Fatherscreft's room, slammed the door, and flung the bolt to.

”Daniel?” Mr. Fatherscreft said.

”It's them. Captain Ivers and Big Tom. They came to the tavern.”

”Did they see thee?”

”Yes,” I gasped out. My heart was pounding and my knees was shaking. ”They'll be prowling around looking for me right this minute.”

”Well. Now. What's to be done?”

”I don't know, sir. When are we supposed to leave for Philadelphia?”

”As soon as we can. We and the Southern interests have reached our compromise agreement. It's not what I had hoped for, but it's the best we can get. I must go immediately and bring the agreement to the delegates at the convention to act on. I would like to leave this evening.” Suddenly he put his fist to his mouth and began a fit of coughing.

I waited until he calmed down some. ”Sir, you ain't fit for traveling,” I said.

”It doesn't matter,” he said. He swallowed some rum. ”I'm well enough.”

”Maybe somebody else could take the message for you.”

”It has to come from me. I was the one empowered to negotiate for our side. They won't trust a stranger.”

”I just wish you wasn't coughing so bad, sir.”

”It's nothing. The rum helps. Now, dost thou suppose thy companions from the brig have left?”

I shook my head. ”No, sir. If I know Captain Ivers, he'll be downstairs keeping a lookout for me. I'm worth a lot of money to him. He ain't going to let that go easy.”

”Dost thou think thou can get away?”

”I sure have to try,” I said. ”They'll catch me sooner or later if I stay here.” I was plenty scared.

”Yes,” he said. ”But thy father was brave, and thou'll be brave, too.”

He sure seemed to know a lot about my daddy. ”How did you get to meet him, sir?” I asked.

”Oh, that lawsuit thy father won was well known among those of us working against slavery.”

”The one to get his freedom from Captain Ivers?”

”It was quite important to the Negroes' cause.”

”I didn't know that,” I said.

”Thy father enlisted in the army with the understanding that he would be set free at the end of his service.”

”Why would Captain Ivers do that?”

”Oh, the captain wanted thy father to go as a subst.i.tute for him.”

”So he wouldn't have to fight himself?”