The Barrons of Spring Hill...

Sarah lay on the bed in a fetal position, her back to Doty, revealing a body only partially clothed. Doty was in the act of removing his breeches. On the porch Joseph ran his hand around the area looking for some type of weapon. When his hand came in contact with a stool, he picked it up, smashed out the window and climbed into the room. As the surprised Doty turned toward Joseph, his breeches around his knees, Joseph slammed a fist into his midsection and as Doty bent over to pull up his breeches Joseph smashed a fist against his cheekbone that sent Doty to the floor. Joseph bent over Doty; picking him up by his pants and shirt collar, he swung him around catching the oil lamp, sending it crashing to the floor and Doty went head first out the window. Joseph turned his attention to Sarah, who by now had sat up wondering what was going on. Joseph was in the act of lifting Sarah from the bed when Doty came back through the window, minus his breeches, and landed on Joseph’s back sending them both to the floor. They rolled around on the floor flailing with arms and legs. Doty was screaming as the fire, which was by now spreading, came in contact with his bare body. Joseph fought him off and sent several crashing blows to Doty’s body and face. He finally slumped to the floor and lay still. There was no time to waste now, the fire had caught the flimsy curtains and reached the ceiling. This house would soon be engulfed in flames. Joseph must get Sarah out as fast as possible. Picking her up Joseph headed out the bedroom door and turning went down the hall and kicked the back door open. With Sarah in his arms, he dashed out into the fresh air.

When he reached his horse he placed Sarah on her feet and looking back at the burning building he hesitated only long enough to say, “I can not leave him in there; stay by the horse, Sarah.” Joseph again entered the burning building and when he reached the bedroom, he could not see, because of the smoke, and the heat was almost unbearable. He dropped to his knees and crawled in, reaching in all directions until he felt an arm of Doty’s. Clasping it firmly he dragged Doty slowly out the bedroom door and down the hall, and out the back door of the house into fresh air. Joseph dragged Doty until he reached the buggy where his frightened horse was trying to break loose, fearing the fire that was raging so close by. Joseph picked up Doty and dumped him into the buggy, then going around to the horse’s head he released it. Letting the horse have its way, it trotted off into the darkness.

Joseph was spent, yet the rain felt cool and refreshing as he returned to Sarah, who stood, sobbing beside his horse. Sarah threw her arms around Joseph crying, “Oh, Joseph, Joseph, I was so frightened; I love you, Joseph, I love you.” “I love you too, Sarah, I did not know how much until tonight. When they reported you missing, Henry Fisher said Doty Oaks had picked you up, supposing he was to bring you home. When you did not show up something told me to go to Zeke’s old residence.” Looking back at the house with the crackling flames shooting out the roof, Joseph said, “What a tragic end for a place that had so many fond memories.” “I know, Joseph,” Sarah exclaimed, “I think of Zeke and Chee-Chee so often.”  “Well,” Joseph remarked, “We can do nothing more here; we had better get back and let everyone know you have been found.” It was then, and only then, that Joseph realized Sarah was completely uncovered to her waist and he mumbled, “Oh Sarah, I’m sorry, forgive me; here, you can have my shirt.” “Sarah laughed as she said, “Do you think it will be large enough?” “It’s wet,” Joseph replied, “but it will cover you, and some to spare.”

Gathering her skirt, what was left of it, around her, Joseph lifted Sarah up and she straddled the horse. He then led the horse to a large stump that was made visible by the glow of the fire from the burning house. Joseph stepped upon the stump and straddled the horse behind Sarah. With his arms around her holding the reins, Sarah lay back and said, “Joseph, I shall never forget this night; you will never know what you mean to me.” Joseph tied the reins together and laid them on the horse’s neck, as he placed both his arms around Sarah and said, “I know I shall never forget this night either, I have come to the realization that there is something I have refused to accept for a long time.” “And what is that, Joseph?” Sarah asked, “I’m in love with you, Sarah. Now that I have said it, and it’s out in the open, what can I do about it?” “I’m your slave, Joseph,” Sarah said, as she laid her head on his shoulder. “You can do what you want with a slave, Joseph: work her, whip her, sell her; I am yours to do what you want.” Sarah turned and sitting sideways she put her arms around Joseph;  laying her head on his shoulder, she started to sob.

There had been a trace of bitterness in Sarah’s voice. It expressed the emptiness of the slave’s life, the dreams, the desires that were never fulfilled. From the cradle to the grave, little had been done to inspire them. When love entered a slave’s life, it was usually short-lived. In many cases families were split up and sold like horses, sheep and swine. Many ministers declared slavery was devised by God, for the special benefit of the colored race. Published articles about the Negro claimed they needed a master or guardian. The question of slavery was becoming more pressing. Abolitionists faced danger, were considered self-righteous, bitter and narrow.

Meanwhile as the horse picked its way around the underbrush that had slowly taken over the road to Zeke and Chee-Chee’s house, Sarah fell asleep in Joseph’s arms. How good she felt, relaxed as she was. He could feel her breath on his bare shoulder, and wished the ride could have been longer.