warehouse. At least he'd die with the knowledge Montique wouldn't be able to use his ill -gotten goods.
Gabe slumped down against the wall feeling the rough wall scratch at his back as he did so. The pain suddenly made him feel desolate. In his despair he hung his head. Dagan, where are you? Gil, Faith, Dagan.
They al fill ed his mind and for the first time in a long time Gabe found himself reciting the Lord's Prayer.
Rud, Dagan, and the group arrived at the plantation just before dusk, skirting their way through an oak thicket trying to keep out of everyone's sight including the slaves. As they stopped at the last line of oaks before a large clearing they were able to take in
most of the plantation. A row of shotgun houses built close together were obviously the slave quarters.
The glow of candles was noted in a few open windows. It was easy to pick out the stables, a foundry indicated the blacksmith shop and another outbuilding looked like a sawmil. As darkness overtook the dusk the woods seem to come alive. Lightening bugs flashed their momentary glow, and mosquitoes buzzed about.
It seemed al the insects decided to sing at once.
Next to the slave quarters a loud shout sounded and then a dog howled mournful y, followed by half a dozen more dogs starting to howl. At this point, someone stamped hard on the porch and another shout, and then a sudden yelp and the dogs were quiet.
'Smell the marsh?' Jubal asked.
'Aye lad, you couldn't miss it,' Dagan answered.
'Look there,' Rud was pointing to a large building.
One man was holding a lanthorn in one hand and a gun in the other. Another man was unlocking a door.
Dagan suddenly rose from where he had been crouching and took a half step out of the shadows.
'Gabe is there,' he spoke to no one in particular.
Kawliga moved up next to Dagan. 'Man there, colonneh?'
'Aye,' Dagan answered and turned back toward the thicket only to come to a dead stop as Kawliga whispered, 'Women too.'
'Women?' Dagan was surprised and turned back toward the buildings. Sure enough, after listening
closely voices were heard and then in the lamplight a woman appeared looking out between the bars of the jail. Then gazing further he could see a woman and a black man, probably a slave, coming down the steps of the plantation house. Stepping back into the thicket, he passed on his and Kawliga's findings.
'Rud, I gave my word to Colonel Marion not to spy and only protect myself as needed. Now it looks like it's time for a bit of action. I came to get Gabe, but it looks like Montique is more than a pirate. It appears he's a slaver as well, black and white. If you wish to go back now give my respects to the colonel. If you stay…well things could get bloody.'
Without hesitating Rud answered, 'I'll stay. I don't like no white women being mistreated.'
'Good enough,' Dagan said but mental y decided to keep Caleb close by. He knew his metal. 'Jubal!'
'Yes sir.'
'I want you and Kawliga to go back and skirt around the edge of the clearing and see if those boards yonder by the big building lead to a dock or a boat. If there is a boat large enough for al of us and several women take control of it. If not work your way back and stop us before we head down the boardwalk. Don't take chances. Understand…don't take any chances.' Looking at Kawliga, the Indian nodded then the two were off. Dagan then ask Caleb, 'You ready?'
'As ever.'
'The leg?'
'It's fine, lets be at it.'
Turning to Rud, Dagan placed his hands on the man's shoulder. 'You're the woodsman, lead on.'
Gabe was not sure why, but he felt better. He'd drifted off to sleep after his prayer and awoke at the rattle of chains at the door. Luther and rotten teeth were back. 'Eat your grub and in an hour or so you can listen as we has ourselves a shindig. Smith will have the women squealing like pigs. You can't have no cunny but you can listen.'
Gabe ate the offered stew and biscuit and was quite surprised at how good it was. Whoever the cook was knew their way around a stove. About the time Gabe finished he heard voices outside arguing.
One was Luther's, the other a female…Faith, it was Faith. Then the arguing came to a halt and the door opened. Luther spoke once more, 'Mr. Hindley's gone and you know it, but soon as he gets back we's gona fetch him. You know Mr. Montique don't allow you down here where the prisoners are.' Then he pushed the door shut and left.
He had the keys to the chain locks so there was no chance in the man escaping. Therefore, he let Faith have her way. He knew it wasn't right but he wasn't about to physical y stop her, not yet he wasn't. Not that he hadn't dreamed of touching her, but unless Hindley
said to he wouldn't touch a hair on her head, no sir, nary a hair.
Once in the warehouse, Lum handed the lanthorn to Faith and sat down in the shadows of the opposite corner away from Gabe and Faith. They shouldn't be here at al but with him along maybe Hindley's white trash guards would think twice before touching the girl, Lum thought.
Faith lifted the lanthorn and as she did Gabe stood up. Seeing Gabe, Faith rushed to him setting the lanthorn on top of a barrel that was close by.
'Oh Gabe, I was so afraid they'd hurt you. My uncle, how could he do such evil things? Oh Gabe.' Gabe could smell Faith's fresh washed hair, the faint scent of her perfume, the woman smell. After the damp musty odor of the warehouse it was like heaven. He reached for her and she came to him. This time she kissed him long and hard, not like the sudden fleeting pecks she'd given when he'd been laid up in Lum's cabin. She crushed her body into Gabes, kissing, hugging, and weeping al at the same time. He could feel her breast, her heartbeat, the smoothness of her skin.
After a long breath, she broke away and gasped, 'I love you, God Gabe, I don't know when or how, but I love you. I've got to get you out of here. I'll confront Uncle Adam and if he doesn't turn you loose I'll go get help.'
How naive, Gabe thought. How young, innocent and naive. Al his loneliness was forgotten with just her kiss.
'I love you too,' he stammered, 'I want you…I want you to be my wife.'
'Gabe, oh Gabe, God yes, lets get you out of here now.'
'Hold on to ya horse now missy.'
'Hindley!'
'At your service, madam.'
'Turn him loose.'
'Afraid I can't missy. The master seems to have his sights set on a special death for that `n. A painful drawn out death, I'm bettin'. However, if you was to be kindly I could put it to him so as he'd die right away.
That way they'd be no suffering. Say he was trying to escape.'
'Go to hell, Hindley.'
'What! The she-cat is snarling a bit is she?' Then Hindley sneered, 'Lets see if you can do anything but snarl.'
Reaching out he grasped her top and fiercely ripped it away, exposing her breasts. Gabe lunged at the man but the chains brought him up short. Grabbing a length of trace chain, Hindley swung at Gabe. The chains cut a gash along his cheek. Faith kicked Hindley who whirled and grabbed Faith bodily and hurled her to the floor.
As Gabe reached out attempting to help again, Hindley kicked him savagely in the stomach before turning his attention back to Faith. The urge to jump
up on her feet and run was almost overpowering, but Faith couldn't leave Gabe. Hindley would surely kill him.
'Uncle Adam will have your back flayed for this you bastard,' Faith spat at her tormentor.
