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Authors: Patricia C. McKissack
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called Greze
there lived a great hero named Herquelez.”
I knew Mas’er John Hamby’s slave named Herquelez who lived on a nearby plantation. He was powerful strong, too. But this was not a story ’bout him.
Mr Harms told us how the long-ago Herquelez killed a big serpent. Then the teacher-man stopped, closed the book and walked away without sayin’ another word.
“There’s more, right?” William called out.
“Tomorrow,” said Mr Harms.
I can’t wait to find out more, too.
First day of September
There was a big race up in Winchester last week, and Hince won. Soon as he got back, he came to the kitchen to see me and to tell me all ’bout his win. First thing, Missy
come sidin’ up to him – like he came there to see her. He asked where Spicy was, right in front of her. I gladly told him.
Monday
Mr Harms starts each day by sayin’ the day, month and year. Today is Monday, September 5, 1859. So, now I can keep better track of time.
Tuesday, September 6, 1859
William has taken to Mr Harms like a bird to berries. I declare, the boy is reading now and liking it. I’m learning a lot, too. I’m adding “ing” to my
words now, ’cause Mr Harms made William stop saying, “talkin’”, and “walkin’” and “singin’”. It is talking, walking and singing. I
remember to write my ings, but I still forget to say my ings.
Wednesday, September 7, 1859
Mr Harms has taken charge of William’s days. Two men from down in the Quarters comes up every morning and helps William get bathed and dressed. One brings William down for
breakfast in his rolling chair. Afterwards, we have our study time – in the cool of the morning – just hot enough to need a fanner, which is still me. Then it’s time for lunch.
William eats with Mr Harms most of the time. The rest of the day William listens to Mr Harms read to him, or they play card games, or a game called chess. William spends the evenin’ with his
mother and father – but most time they spat ’bout one thing or another, so he goes off to bed.
Thursday, September 8, 1859
I slipped out late last night. Came out to write in my diary. I heard a twig snap. Someone was coming. I called to see who it was. Missy answered, asking, “What you doing
out here?”
I was sitting on my diary. I told her it was too hot to sleep, so I’d come out to look at the stars.
“Why do you always come back here behind the kitchen?”
She was digging for a bone. “I like it back here. I can see the river and the stars.”
My hiding place behind the kitchen is no longer safe. I have to find a new place, safer, and real soon.
Friday, September 9, 1859
Since Uncle Heb’s been dead, the garden’s been looking real pitiful. I pulled a few weeds from ’round the roses. But it just aine the same. I miss him and
sometimes turn ’round to say something to him, but he’s not there. He never will be there, just like Mama.
Oh, yes, I learned from Mr Harms that it’s around and not ’round. It’s something and not somethin’. I’ve got more out of Mr Harms’ lesson than I ever did from
Miz Lilly.
But there’s something real different about Mr Harms, and I cain’t put it to words yet. He never even looks at me. Treats me like I’m not there.
Saturday, September 10, 1859
I was digging through some of the trash in Mas’ Henley’s study, looking for things about abolitionists and the Underground Railroad. Nothing. I cain’t find a
thing to help me understand my list of words better. So, when I just wrote F-R-E-E-D-O-M, it still don’t show me no picture. But I’m keeping my eyes open.
Sunday, September 11, 1859
Aunt Tee been so sad since she been turned out of the kitchen. I would do anything to help make her laugh and be happy again. I guess that’s why I did a very foolish
thing. I went down to her cabin to visit. After we’d talked, I used a stick to scratch writing on the dirt floor. C is for CAT.
Before I could blink my eye, Aunt Tee had
there lived a great hero named Herquelez.”
I knew Mas’er John Hamby’s slave named Herquelez who lived on a nearby plantation. He was powerful strong, too. But this was not a story ’bout him.
Mr Harms told us how the long-ago Herquelez killed a big serpent. Then the teacher-man stopped, closed the book and walked away without sayin’ another word.
“There’s more, right?” William called out.
“Tomorrow,” said Mr Harms.
I can’t wait to find out more, too.
First day of September
There was a big race up in Winchester last week, and Hince won. Soon as he got back, he came to the kitchen to see me and to tell me all ’bout his win. First thing, Missy
come sidin’ up to him – like he came there to see her. He asked where Spicy was, right in front of her. I gladly told him.
Monday
Mr Harms starts each day by sayin’ the day, month and year. Today is Monday, September 5, 1859. So, now I can keep better track of time.
Tuesday, September 6, 1859
William has taken to Mr Harms like a bird to berries. I declare, the boy is reading now and liking it. I’m learning a lot, too. I’m adding “ing” to my
words now, ’cause Mr Harms made William stop saying, “talkin’”, and “walkin’” and “singin’”. It is talking, walking and singing. I
remember to write my ings, but I still forget to say my ings.
Wednesday, September 7, 1859
Mr Harms has taken charge of William’s days. Two men from down in the Quarters comes up every morning and helps William get bathed and dressed. One brings William down for
breakfast in his rolling chair. Afterwards, we have our study time – in the cool of the morning – just hot enough to need a fanner, which is still me. Then it’s time for lunch.
William eats with Mr Harms most of the time. The rest of the day William listens to Mr Harms read to him, or they play card games, or a game called chess. William spends the evenin’ with his
mother and father – but most time they spat ’bout one thing or another, so he goes off to bed.
Thursday, September 8, 1859
I slipped out late last night. Came out to write in my diary. I heard a twig snap. Someone was coming. I called to see who it was. Missy answered, asking, “What you doing
out here?”
I was sitting on my diary. I told her it was too hot to sleep, so I’d come out to look at the stars.
“Why do you always come back here behind the kitchen?”
She was digging for a bone. “I like it back here. I can see the river and the stars.”
My hiding place behind the kitchen is no longer safe. I have to find a new place, safer, and real soon.
Friday, September 9, 1859
Since Uncle Heb’s been dead, the garden’s been looking real pitiful. I pulled a few weeds from ’round the roses. But it just aine the same. I miss him and
sometimes turn ’round to say something to him, but he’s not there. He never will be there, just like Mama.
Oh, yes, I learned from Mr Harms that it’s around and not ’round. It’s something and not somethin’. I’ve got more out of Mr Harms’ lesson than I ever did from
Miz Lilly.
But there’s something real different about Mr Harms, and I cain’t put it to words yet. He never even looks at me. Treats me like I’m not there.
Saturday, September 10, 1859
I was digging through some of the trash in Mas’ Henley’s study, looking for things about abolitionists and the Underground Railroad. Nothing. I cain’t find a
thing to help me understand my list of words better. So, when I just wrote F-R-E-E-D-O-M, it still don’t show me no picture. But I’m keeping my eyes open.
Sunday, September 11, 1859
Aunt Tee been so sad since she been turned out of the kitchen. I would do anything to help make her laugh and be happy again. I guess that’s why I did a very foolish
thing. I went down to her cabin to visit. After we’d talked, I used a stick to scratch writing on the dirt floor. C is for CAT.
Before I could blink my eye, Aunt Tee had
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