Read Online Chasing Freedom by Gloria Ann Wesley - Free Book Online Page B

Sarah wondered what the old fella had done this time. Sneaking around with the widow Jane again? Sarah chuckled and kept walking.
    A large crowd milled about in the clearing. It was the one place where Negroes could legally gather, a place where they were free to let themselves laugh, sing and dance. It seemed all of Birchtown was in this place of healing. The air was full of the sweet scent of hemlock and the clearing dazzled with cheerful colours and laughter.
    She found Reece among a group of Black Pioneers. They chatted while Reverend Ringwood delivered the greetings. Old plantation songs, “ Bringin’ in de Sheaves” and “Hear de Angels Callin,’” brought the crowd alive. Reverend Ringwood stood atop a wooden box. “Lay your burdens on the Lord,” he screamed. “Lay your sins down, you Lambs of God and repent. You are the children of the Lord and He will give you what you need. Put your trust in Him to heal you, trust in Him to feed you, trust in Him to take away all your sorrow. Rejoice in Him.”
    Enthusiasm grew into frenzy as he encouraged the outpouring of hardship and grief. Bodies trembled. Words flowed from the depth of their hearts. Reverend Ringwood held each one with outstretched arms, offered them hope, told them to keep praying, to have faith and look to the Lord for salvation. Slaves who could not read rhymed out scripture word for word. Their moans and hallelujahs rose up to heaven. Then how they danced and sang. This festive rejoicing in the spirit was the one true testimony to gaining freedom.
    At last a break came. Sarah took her apples to a large canvas sheet on the ground. It was time for lunch and everyone dove into the abundance of food spread out in the clearing, for all hoarded during the week to bring something and all indulged in the offerings. She ate quickly. “I wish I could stay longer,” Sarah said, “but I promised to meet Grandmother at Aunt Beulah’s place. Did you enjoy the service?”
    â€œIt sure got me going,” Reese laughed, “and I’m not much on religion. All it does is keep a man down, encouraging him to rely on something other than himself. We have the tools to direct ourselves and a conscience to guide us. Fools have no conscience. That is what accounts for sin. What a man needs to get ahead is not prayers, but a good fight.”
    â€œA fight?” Sarah raised her eyebrows. He was sounding like her Aunt Beulah.
    â€œThe slaves believed God helped Moses free the Hebrew slaves. They figured that God would set them free, too. But it took action, a good old rebellion to free us.”
    â€œWell, I never heard it put that way before. I believe that their faith gave them courage.”
    â€œI don’t know about that, Sarah. I do not plan to sit still and pray for change. I figure you should fight for it, like the Patriots. That’s what a good man does.” He winked at Sarah. “I’m not hanging around waiting for rations and a blessing.” He blew warm breath into his hands. “Can I walk you to the crossroads? Beulah’s is just across the field, isn’t that right?”
    â€œIt is.” Sarah concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. “What do you mean you won’t sit still?”
    â€œMiss Sarah, if a man does not work, he will surely die. There is not enough work to go around. It’s time for me to move on.” He reached over and slid his fingers along her cheek. “It sure would be nice if I had me a pretty miss to take along. It would be nice to think about more than a job.”
    A soft gasp fell from Sarah’s mouth.
    â€œSarah Redmond,” Reece chirped liked a sparrow. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Have you thought about marriage? We can marry here. It’s not like before, you know.”
    Lord. Lord. The thought of running off with Reece put Sarah’s head in a spin and she could not stop