Escape by Night Read Online Free

choice in the matter.”
    Tommy studied Red. “You look like a regular person.”
    â€œI am. I just want to get back to my family in Ohio. Tommy, I have a two-year-old little boy I haven’t seen in over a year. I need an angel.”
    â€œLike in the dream?” Tommy said.
    â€œYes,” Red said. “I have to get out of here soon. That Mrs. Williams keeps asking questions. Next thing you know, some Mississippi boys’ll be here, and I’ll be found out. Will you help me?”

    â€œThat’s against the South,” Tommy whispered.
    â€œTommy, it’s not right to keep another person as a slave. Men should be free.”
    Tommy paused. He had thought about the states being free, but not the slaves.
    â€œSome slaves are happy,” Tommy said.
    â€œIs Henry happy?”
    Tommy could not think of anything good about living with Mr. Barrett. Mr. Barrett was constantly yelling at all his slaves, not just Henry. It would be miserable to live with him.
    â€œWe’re not fighting about slaves,” Tommy said. “We’re fighting because the North is trying to tell us what to do. States should be free.” It didn’t sound nearly as good as when he’d heard Marion say it.
    â€œSome folks may not be fighting about slavery, but I am. Slavery is wrong, and I’ll give my life to stop it.”

 

    â€œRed may be a Yankee, but I still like him,” Tommy told Samson on the way home. Samson pushed his head into Tommy’s hand.
    â€œI guess I’m supposed to turn Red in. But if I do, they might send him to a prison camp. I’ve heard terrible things about those places.”
    â€œMaster Tommy!” Henry caught up with Tommy and Samson.
    â€œYou and Samson talkin’ serious. Don’t forget now. Mercy is a great power,” said Henry.
    â€œFather preaches about mercy. God gives us mercy, even though we don’t deserve it,” Tommy said.
    Henry nodded. “He sure does. And you know what God expects of you?”
    â€œWhat?” Tommy asked. That was exactly what he had been wondering.
    Henry leaned forward like he was revealing a deep secret. “Micah. Chapter six.”
    Tommy thought hard. Micah was a book in the Old Testament. He knew that much. But that was all he remembered.
    Henry recited the passage. “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God?”
    â€œYou know as many Bible verses as Father,” Tommy said.
    Henry smiled big, showing a row of bright white teeth. “It’s the power to help you live right.”
    â€œYou make it sound easy,” Tommy said.
    â€œLooooooove mercy, Master Tommy. That’s all.” Henry smiled and walked on down Telfair Street.
    Henry always smiled, even when things went badly for him. Tommy recalled once a couple of years ago when he and Samson were waiting for his father outside Mr. Barrett’s bank. Henry was sweeping the brick walkway. Mr. Barrett kept yelling at him to hurry up. It looked to Tommy like Henry was working as fast as a man could. When he was almost finished, some older boys passed by and kicked dirt onto his clean walk. They laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world.
    Mr. Barrett had been watching from the window, and Tommy thought he would chase the boys away. Instead, he charged out with his rifle and pointed it at Henry. Then he cocked it. Samson growled. Tommy held him tight. Henry didn’t move. Finally, Mr. Barrett barked, “Get it clean.” Then he laughed and went back inside.
    Henry had whispered to Tommy, “I’m waitin’ for the blessed hope.”
    â€œAre you going to tell?” The sharp voice brought Tommy abruptly back to the present. He wheeled around to see Annie with that I-know-a-secret look on her face.
    â€œAre you going to tell?” she demanded again.
    A bad feeling washed over Tommy. He thought back to the hospital.