Read Online From Sea to Shining Sea by JAMES ALEXANDER Thom - Free Book Online Page A

Now mind you, I allowed as how I thought that was probably not so, and I told George I thought that was pretty loose thinkin’. Nonetheless, that Indian prayed, and lived reverent, George said. So even an Indian, with his unredeemed and misguided soul, does
have
a soul. And so, to think it’s sport to kill Indians, why, that’s to condone the wasting o’ life. And I’ll have none of it in this family, hear me now, all of you.” Edmund blinked his downcast eyes and worked harder over the pile of entrails before him.
    One disapproving look from John Clarke was more effective than a whipping. He had never had to lay a switch on any of his sons, and only once had he had to knock one down—once when George had been having a red rage. John Clark did not believe in whipping. Once long ago on the way from Port Royal, seeing a sheriff administering a public whipping upon an adulteress, John Clark had got down from his wagon, snatched the whip out of the sheriff’s hand and looped it around his neck, at the risk of being arrested and whipped himself. A person’s body is the home of his sacred soul, John Clark believed, and not to be punished or damaged by another. Thus, war was an abomination before God. “In war,” he said now, “all men red or white are but meat left to rot on the field where they fell. Man is offal, and only the buzzards are fed. Kings and soldiers call that ‘glory,’ to the disgrace of the very word!”
    Now his sermon veered off onto another tack; he had reminded himself of something else. “Seducers of womanflesh are the same,” he said, with one of those sad, accusing glances now at Johnny. “They violate the temple of a woman’s soul, and make it but meat. And use the word love like soldiers use the word glory.” Johnny’s forehead reddened, both with shame and indignation. But he did not protest; after all, how could his father know that Johnny’s loves were
real
? That he was passionately, totally in love with the mysterious soul inside each shapelybody he caressed? But John Clark, who had loved the same woman all his life, only said now:
    “Bear in mind, every girl is someone’s precious daughter. Like my Annie. And likely she’s also someone’s sister. Would y’ have
her
trifled with?”
    There. Put in those terms, it struck Johnny hard. He put his head down and pondered as he worked, and hoped his father had had all his say about that.
    John Clark would never have thought of giving so long a speech just standing up in front of people. Speeches were for natural talkers, like the Rogerses, or for burgesses, or for licensed rectors. But when John Clark was working he was thinking, and if the thoughts he had seemed likely important enough to help his sons be worthy, then he could talk as long as anyone.
    “There,” said he, “that about does our pig. Let’s get all this up to the kitchen and smokehouse, for it’s a long way from ready for our Annie’s wedding feast, hey, boys? And that day’s not afar off. How y’ feelin’ by now, Billy my boy?”
    “I fee’ bettuh, Papa.”
    “Aha. Fine. And y’ve learnt something, isn’t it so?”
    “Aye, Papa.”
    “So here’s our pork, thank the Lord. I wonder if any venison will come our way.” He cast a glance at Edmund, and a sly smile.
    “Watch me,” said Edmund, eager to please. “I’m out ’fore daybreak tomorrow.”
    E DMUND C LARK HAD SET HIS MIND TO WAKE HIM UP AT four, because he had a promise to keep.
    He dressed in darkness while his brothers breathed and snored and muttered in their sleep. He did not put on shoes, because he could move through the woods more quietly without them. He reached up in the darkness and felt for his rifle, and with a soft grunt lifted it down, then his powder horn and bullet bag. He could see the rectangle of the dormer window, and bright stars. He went out of the room and down the hall and down the stairs, feeling his way with his bare feet. He lifted the latch of the back door and