The Drinking Gourd A Story of the Underground Railroad

Chapter 8: Bad News and Good

The story so far: Jeremiah brought food to his friends at the cabin, and he and Dosey talked about their lives. She explained to him that they were looking for a canal boat captain who was known to help runaways. Thursday Morning:

Dosey’s prediction proved correct, and the next morning it began to rain. It was a quick moving storm, providing less than an inch of precipitation—not enough to end the drought. Still, the much-needed rainfall would keep the canal open a little longer.

Jeremiah was enjoying his time with Dosey and Jacob at the cabin, though his daytime chores kept him from getting much sleep. The good news, however, was that Dosey was right about Jacob— every day he was a little stronger, and it looked as if they might be able to travel soon. Jeremiah was beginning to think that everything was going to work out.

But trouble was never far away. Thursday morning, as Jeremiah was chopping stove wood for Aunt Jane, he was interrupted by an approaching canal boat. It was the Ceres, out of Bristol Basin, heading north with a load of coal.

The Ceres was one of Jeremiah’s favorite boats. Captain Norton always had a funny story to tell, and his wife, who was a very good cook, often presented Jeremiah with a treat of some kind. “Ahoy, Captain Norton,” said Jeremiah.

The captain smiled and waved, and a moment later Jeremiah saw Mrs. Norton on deck with a plate of fresh-baked cookies. He hurried to secure the gates, and then climbed on board.

“I baked these specially for you,” said Mrs. Norton as Jeremiah took a cookie in each hand. “Thank you, ma’am,” he replied.

“What’s the good word here in Cadyville?” said the captain.

“Nothing ever happens around here,” said

Jeremiah.

“Any sign of strangers lately?” asked Mrs.

Norton.

“Not really,” he replied. It wasn’t like the Nortons to be so nosy. Jeremiah wondered what was going on.

“Word down in Mount Carmel is that two bounty hunters are in the area—”

“Bounty hunters, my foot,” interrupted Mrs. Norton angrily. “Slavers is what they are. Slave chasers from Georgia.”

Jeremiah felt his chest tighten, but he took a deep breath and tried to hide his feeling of panic.

“Now, Sarah,” said the Captain. “They’re just doing their job. The new law gives ’em the right to capture runaways.”

“Just because the state legislature votes on something, doesn’t make it right,” she said.

“I’m not saying it’s right,” said Captain Norton. “And I’m not saying it’s wrong. I just want young Jeremiah here to be on the lookout.” He turned and placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

Jeremiah took another deep breath but was too flustered to say anything.

“At any rate,” continued the captain, “if your uncle still has you standing watch at night, I’d be careful. In the dark the bounty hunters might mistake you for a runaway, and I think they’re the type to shoot first and ask questions afterwards.”

“Thanks,” said Jeremiah, regaining his composure. “I’ll keep an eye out.”

“You do that,” said the captain, shaking Jeremiah’s hand. “See you on the return trip.”

“You might want to warn Amos Daggert, next time he comes through,” said Mrs. Norton.

“I will,” said Jeremiah. “I’ll be sure to remember.” After the Ceres pulled away from the lock, Jeremiah went back to chopping wood, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the slave chasers. Dosey and Jacob had nearly been caught in New Haven—could those bounty hunters be the same men Captain Norton was referring to?

Jeremiah laid the axe aside and sat down on the woodpile. What would he do if the bounty hunters showed up in Cadyville? The story of Caleb shooting at an intruder would be certain to arouse suspicion. It was only a matter of time before these men would come sniffing around.

“I’ve got to warn Dosey,” he said as he picked up an armload of firewood.

As he loaded the wood-box his mind was still filled with questions: Did Captain Norton suspect something, or was it just a coincidence?

And why had Mrs. Norton mentioned Captain Daggert by name? Why not other captains, or other boats?

The North Star had passed through four days ago, headed for Northampton. It might be several days before Jeremiah saw Captain Daggert again.

“North to Northampton on the North Star,” Jeremiah said to himself. North to Northampton. On the North Star.

Suddenly Jeremiah remembered the conversation he had had with Dosey a few nights back. What was it she had said about the Drinking Gourd? Every slave knows the road to freedom is marked by the North Star. To be continued Monday, February 11. Next Time: Trouble