Bertie ate the sea pie that Mrs. Binns made for her guests. But he could not enjoy it. All that he could think about was Seph and the Lynch mob. The idea that a mob of people could murder Seph’s family just because they were colored was deeply unsettling. What if they did not like British people, would they go after his family?

“You do not look like you like the sea pie,” said Dawsey.

“Oh, I like the pie good enough, but I guess I am just not too hungry. Plus it has been a long day and I am tired,” said Bertie.

“I am tired too,” said Vicki.

“Yes, I think that it would be good for you youngsters to go to bed,” said Mr. Haigh.

“Good idea. Jane, Catherine, Dawsey, and Francis thee can head up too. I want thee to show our guests were they will be sleeping,” said Mr. Binns.

“Aw Papa. I am not a child anymore. I would like to stay up a little later to hear more about the adventures that the Haigh family had,” said Jane.

“Hmm. Okay, thee can stay up a little longer to hear more about the adventures,” said Mr. Binns.

“Yay! Thank thee Papa!”

“Can I stay up a little later too? I would like to hear more about the Atlantic crossing,” said Dawsey.

“No, I want thee to go upstairs with thy guest. Besides, thee heard all about it yesterday and on the trip back home,” said Mr. Binns.

“But…”

“I want thee to go up now!”

“Yes Papa.” Dawsey trudged upstairs with everyone else. He showed Bertie the room where they will be sleeping. A younger boy was already there.

“Hi! My name is Francis. I am Dawsey’s brother. What is thy name?”

Dawsey rolled his eyes. “Thou told him that at dinner.”

“Glad to meet you.” Bertie shook Francis’ hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Your room is quite nice. I am glad that you can take me in.” Bertie winked at Dawsey.

“I am glad that I can help thee. But this room will be even better when Dawsey moves upstairs.”

Bertie turned to Dawsey. “You did not tell me that you were moving to the attic. I thought that is Eli’s room.”

“So it is. Francis just wants me to get out of this room as soon as possible.” Dawsey turned to Francis. “I am sorry, but I do not think that I will be leaving anytime soon. As thee knows, I cannot move until Eli moves and he does not seem to be in any rush to find a new place to live.”

“I can still pray that a way will open and Eli will find a new place to live,” said Francis.

“Thee and me both,” said Dawsey.

“A way will open?”

“Oh, sorry Bertie. That is the Quaker way to say that God will make something happen that … encourages Eli to leave,” said Dawsey.

“I guess that you can only hope.” Bertie looked out the window. There was a dark row of scudding clouds backlit by the rapidly dimming light of the young evening. He looked out over the farm and could just make out numerous rows of plants. A raven flew into view. It landed on the roof of the toolshed just under the window, cawed three times, then flew off. Bertie shivered. “Is it safe here? You have a big farm out in the back and I am worried that someone could sneak up on us.”

“Not likely. If anyone tried to enter the property, they would have to contend with our herd dog Wooster. If they can make it past her and get inside, Mr. Snickles would finish off the intruder. We might be Quakers, but we are not above protecting our house and property,” said Dawsey.

“Is Wooster a scary dog?”

“Not to me, but she is big. Tomorrow stay near me when we go outside and I will introduce you, after that she will be your friend forever,” said Dawsey.

“That is good. I need all the friends that I can find. I do not want anything to happen to me or my family like what happened to your friend.”

Dawsey glared at Bertie. “No, nothing will happen to you or thine family.”

“What happened to thy friend’s family? Who is thy friend,” said Francis.

“Thee forget about it or…” said Dawsey.

The door to the room opened. “I thought that I told thee to go to bed!”

“Yes Papa,” said Dawsey and Francis.

“Good night and sleep well.” Mr. Binns blew out the candles and closed the door.

The wind rattled the window above Bertie’s bed. “Are you sure that your dogs will be able to protect us?”

“Yes they will. They are very fierce and loyal dogs,” said Francis.

“Francis is right. But I think it best if we go to bed now. Besides, I do not want Papa to come back and tell us to be quite and go to sleep again. It will be a busy day at the pharmacy tomorrow. Papa will work us hard so we need to be well rested.”

“I wish that we did not have to work so hard, but I will be glad for the sleep. It has been a long day and I am tired. Good night Dawsey and good night Francis.”

“Good night Bertie,” said Francis.

“We will have more good adventures tomorrow. Good night Bertie,” said Dawsey.

Bertie looked out the window near his bed. He could see only a few stars. The wind blown clouds covered most of the stars. He lay in bed and waited for sleep. But his mind was racing. The troubles that happened to Seph’s family badgered his thoughts. The idea that a mob could kill an entire family scared him. Would they do that to his family when they get to Texas? Bertie wanted to ask his father if such a thing were possible, but his promise to Dawsey made that impossible. So he stared out the window. He hoped that sleep would soon find him.

…

“Wake up quick! We have to leave now! They are coming to get us!”