Abner's Journey to America

Excerpt 1

“Look, Schotzy! Look!”  Abner shouted excitedly to his best friend.  “It’s a boatful of ugly men and I do believe they’re trying to catch up with us.”  He pointed to a skiff that had begun following the boat that the refugees hoped would take them down the Rhine River to safety. They still had a long way to go to escape the danger that had driven them from their homes in the German state of Bavaria.

“You’re right!” Schotzy shouted back.  “They are a greistlich bunch for sure. Take notice how hard they’re rowing. It wonders me why for they’re trying to catch up with us.”

“They might be river pirates,” answered Abner. “I heard the captain telling Cousin Jake something about river pirates. He said that if they catch up with us, they’ll take alls we got.”

“I better would take my brother and my dog to the front of the boat,” gasped Schotzy as he grabbed Reuben’s hand and Werner’s leash.  “Nothing better wouldn’t happen to my brother or my puppy!”

“Pick up the oars, men!” shouted the captain Garber as soon as he spotted the pursuers. “It’s river pirates! You’ve got to fight them off.  Pass the word.”

Herr Hartzell, Abner’s grandpa, calmly replied to the captain, “Sir, my people do not fight. Instead of fighting, we pray. That’s what we believe will help and that’s what we’ll do.”  He turned to Abner and added, “See that all of the women and children go to the front.  Tell them I said there’s nothing to get fussed up about. They should just stay calm and pray.  This battle is the Lord’s.”  Abner grasped Pearl’s leash and followed Schotzy as Herr Hartzell fell to his knees.

The captain’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.  He gulped, “Old man, you gotta understand, they’re tough, these pirates, and they have no mercy. They’ll make off with alls you got and that includes the boys, young women and girls.  They don’t mind killing the men.  I must bribe them to keep in business so I daresn’t fight them myself, but I don’t stop my passengers from protecting themselves and their property.”

Herr Hartzell lifted his head and repeated, “The battle is the Lord’s.  He said that if we keep our vows, thank Him and give Him the glory, He will protect us in time of trouble.  I’m believing that He means what he says in the Book.”

Abner, a good looking, well built ten year old, with dark eyes, fair skin  and very black hair, returned to his  grandfather and reported, “Everyone in our group is praying. All of ours are calm, but the strangers are screaming and carrying on.”

Abner, followed by his dog, walked to the rail and stood there.  He closed his eyes and prayed for protection, but he had a difficult time keeping his mind on his prayers. After a short while he could not resist looking to see what was happening.  He had seen several miracles since the trouble had started in his village two months before. Nevertheless, he was pretty sure his faith was not as strong as his grandfather’s.

He sat on the deck, held his dog close and worried. What if they do board our boat?  What if they do steal all our money?  It wonders me what would happen to us then. We can’t go back. Our old neighbors have moved into our houses and they’d probly kill us before they’d let us have them back

Excerpt 2

“Like I said, ‘A boy needs some money.’  I’m just glad that I can give them to you. I wish it were more.” Herr Hoke smiled at him kindly and then walked away into the evening dusk.  Abner never saw him again.

“Hey Abs,” called out Schotzy as he came down the hill toward the ship. “Where’s your grandpa?  I got something for him.”

“He’s around here somewheres,” answered Abner.

Schotzy seemed to be excited. “I got him a present, and I want to give it to him.”

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