Finally, the end of Chapter 9. I tried not to rush it, but I had to finish. Be warned; it is long.
Having crossed the stream, she turned westward, heading back towards the town. She was unsure exactly how far should have to go, but she knew that it would take her about thirty minutes to reach the river that marked the east edge of town.
As she walked, she noticed how bright and clear that the air was. The birds’ songs seemed to glow with the same glorious excitement that she felt within her. She was on her way! She now only had to make it through town and she was free.
The town! How was she ever going to make it through there unobserved? Once the search began, Walters would doubtless send some men back towards town to try to find her. She had to get through without being spotted by anyone. Yet she was not sure how. She put that decision aside, instead choosing to enjoy this pleasant part of her escape.
Too soon the forest gave way to open plain, and in the center of the plain ran a narrow road. Forty yards past the road lay the river that meandered past town. By now, the sun had risen fully in the sky and the early-morning raucous of river creatures had quieted into a silence broken by the occasional splash of a leaping fish or the croak of a frog.
Maria wanted to stick to the road yet still keep to the cover of the forest as much as possible. Keeping the road in sight on her right, she walked south, skirting the edge of the forest, prepared at any many to dart back inside should she see or hear any sign of traffic along the road. Three times, she had to hide herself, each time from the rattle of a cart that came from the north.
Finally, as she drew near to the crossroads, the forest gave way. Reluctantly, Maria took to walking on the very edge of the road, picking the side nearer to the river where the tall grass in the ditches offered the best cover.
Maria no longer enjoyed the walk, for now the threat of discovery and the realization that anyone who saw her could be one of Walters’ men put her senses on alert for any sound or movement that would be her cue to hide. Slowly she moved forward towards the main east-west road that led out of town, as cautious as a kitten.
Eventually, the east-west road appeared in front of her. No traffic moved along it, but from across came the sounds of the town, awake and active. The greatest threat to her ability to make it freely to the Williams estate lay in front of her. If she could get across the bridge and through town unnoticed, she would be, for all practical purposes, free. She walked along the north edge of the road, creeping towards the bridge, wary of potential traffic.
Just as she was about to leave the brush to get on the road, she heard the rattling of two vehicles coming out of town. Determined not to be seen, she threw herself back in the ditch beside the road.
Within a few moments, a coach rolled into view, followed by an open cart. The coach Maria recognized instantly as Walters’. She did not recognize the driver of the cart, but one of its occupants caught her attention. It was Alejandro!
Maria nearly stood up in shock. What was he doing in that cart, and with whom was he riding? Was the driver of the cart one of Walters’ men, or was he just a man who was on the same road out of town?
As Maria took in all of this, the two vehicles moved out of sight. Slowly, Maria stood up, unsure of what she had jus seen. She had not thought that Alejandro would be so close. She fully expected to have to search for him and Emilia once she herself was free. Now, she knew that her search would be easier.
Determined more than ever to make it through town unnoticed, Maria climbed out of the ditch. As calmly as she could, she walked across the bridge into town. People clogged the streets in the mid-morning bustle of market day. Everywhere Maria looked, she saw people scurrying about their business, too busy to even notice anyone around them. Keeping to the crowds to be as unobtrusive as possible, she made her way through the town and eventually to the west road that led to Colonel Williams’ estate.
“I walked for about thirty minutes,” Maria added, “and I had been here for about then minutes when you returned, Colonel Williams. I realize now that you are the man I saw with Alejandro in the cart. Are you one of Walters’ men?” Her question held great fear.
Williams heard the fear in her voice and answered reassuringly, “No, Maria, I’m not. When you saw us drive by, we were headed to get you from Walters. Before we left, he gave us a letter that allowed his lawyer to write this.”
He held up the transfer of ownership certificate. “You are now under my authority, and my first act as your new master is to release you from slavery. You are now free.
Maria’s face exploded in joy. “Oh, gracias, thank you, thank you, Señor Williams.”
José entered the room just then. “Colonel,” he said, “supper is ready.”
“Thank you, José,” replied Williams. “Have the cook set an extra place.”
José nodded and left. With a welcoming wave of his hand, Williams beckoned everyone to follow him to supper.
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