Race for Freedom Read Free

family. You tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”
    “I tell
you
what to do?” Again Jordan leaped to his feet. This time his eyes blazed. “You is foolin’ me, sure enough! There ain’t no slave boy that tells a white boy what to do!”
    “I know what to do if I find a runaway slave,” Caleb said. “I know how to hide a fugitive who comes near the
Christina
. What you need to do will be a whole lot harder.”
    Standing as still as a stone, Jordan seemed to consider Caleb’s words. Finally he turned. “You thinks I can lead my people to freedom?”
    Caleb’s gaze held steady. “I
know
you can lead your people to freedom. If you’d like my help, you’ve got it.” As though wanting to shake on it, Caleb offered his hand.
    Jordan stared down at Caleb’s hand, then looked up. “You
really
wants to help me?” he asked.
    “I really want to help you,” Caleb said.
    As if he had never before touched a white boy’s hand, Jordan hesitated. Then, seeming to make up his mind, he stretched out his own hand. Halfway between the two boys, their hands met.
    Jordan grinned. “I hope you knows what you is doing.”
    “First, we keep you safe,” Caleb promised. “Then we figure out a way to get to your family.”
    In that moment Libby felt scared right down to her toes. Something important had been decided. Something that would change Jordan’s life, but also Caleb’s and hers. Even the thought of what might happen frightened Libby.
    I wish I had their courage
, she told herself again. Then she remembered the man on the Burlington street. It had been too dark to see the evil lines in his face. Yet a shiver of fear ran through Libby—a shiver so strong that she trembled.
    With all her heart, she wanted Jordan’s mother and sisters and brother to reach freedom. With all her heart, she wanted Jordan to find the father who had been sold away from the family. But Libby knew how dangerous it would be.
    One idea haunted her.
How can we hide from Riggs wherever we go?
    As if knowing her thoughts, Caleb spoke. “We can be sure of one thing. Riggs will do everything he can to stop us. Wherever we are, he won’t be far behind!”

CHAPTER 2
More Mystery

    I n spite of her fear, Libby remembered: Helping fugitive slaves was something she believed in. Before she could change her mind, Libby spoke up. “I want to help.”
    “No!” Caleb’s answer sounded like an explosion.
    Libby tossed her long hair. “I want to be a conductor on the Underground Railroad! I want to help runaway slaves reach freedom.”
    “And I said
no
. You’re not getting into it!”
    “You let me help the last time,” Libby pleaded. “I did what you wanted, and you know it!”
    Caleb paid no attention. “We let you help because we didn’t have any choice. Just because you did something once doesn’t mean you’ll do it again!”
    But Libby would not back down. “You think I’m a scaredy-cat, Caleb Whitney. I’m not! I’ll do what you tell me.”
    “Good.” Caleb stood up. “Right now I’m telling you to keep out of Jordan’s business and keep out of mine. Then we’ll get along just fine.” Without another word he started away.
    “Caleb?” Libby called after him, forgetting that someone might hear. “What could be worse than Pa going to jail?”
    Caleb kept going. “C’mon, Jordan,” he said.
    “You tell me, Caleb Whitney!”
    No answer came from the darkness. Already they were gone.
    I’ll show them
! Libby told herself. With quick tugs she pulled off her shoes. Walking on silent cat feet, she hurried after the boys.
    In the moonlight she watched them find a pathway between the freight and passengers crowding the main deck. At the door of the engine room, Caleb looked around.
    Quickly Libby stepped back into a shadow. After a moment she peered out. Both boys were gone.
    They’re in the engine room
, Libby thought, once again following without a sound. When she reached the door, she opened it quietly and stepped inside.
    Off