Toward the Sea of Freedom Read Online Free

single combat. Like it had been in ancient Ireland, and in the sagas and fairy tales of knights and heroes that Father O’Brien sometimes told when he enjoyed a little too much of the whiskey that he claimed the leprechauns set at the rectory door.
    Mary Kathleen smiled at the thought of the old priest who surely would not approve of Trevallion making claims on her. On the other hand, Father O’Brien did not approve of her keeping company with Michael either. Perhaps she should tell Father O’Brien she felt called and that she might go to a convent. Maybe then he would shield her from any more suitors. Or he might believe her and take her to the abbey in Wicklow.
    Kathleen wandered across the fields to the river. The grain had not been harvested yet, and she risked running into Trevallion while he was on patrol. Yet Michael and his friends were, without a doubt, secretly harvesting and using the cover of the stone walls and the reeds by the water. Kathleen heard an owl call just as she stepped onto the path that led to the farthest fields. Then the owl’s voice cracked.
    Kathleen looked up toward where the call had come from and spotted Jonny, one of Michael’s younger brothers, in the crown of an oak. He grinned at her conspiratorially.
    “I’m the lookout, Kathleen,” he said.
    “You really can hardly be seen in the leaves, especially not in that bright red shirt,” Kathleen said, rolling her eyes. “That owl call couldn’t fool anyone. Just come down quick, Jonny Drury. Trevallion will have you whipped if he catches you.”
    Jonny dutifully lowered his gaze and feigned a serious expression. As he bowed in Kathleen’s direction, he almost fell from the tree.
    “It isn’t forbidden for a boy to sit in a tree on a Sunday evening to make owl calls,” he said. Then, in a high-pitched voice, he sang out, “Lookee, Mr. Trevallion, I’ve a slingshot. I call for the female, and when she comes, here’s a rock, and we’ve meat in our pot.”
    Kathleen had to laugh. “Don’t you dare tell him that. He’ll take it as a violation of the hunting laws, guaranteed, and he’ll have you hanged. Where’s Michael? Down by the river? With the other boys?”
    “Don’t think so,” said Jonny. “The others are already back in the village. With a bit of grain they found.” The boy winked importantly. “Brian cut a whole sheaf. That’ll make good flour, Kathleen.”
    Brian was another of Michael’s brothers, but Kathleen did not believe all this about a whole sheaf of wheat. The boys wouldn’t have dared to set aside so much grain in broad daylight—not even with as capable a lookout as Jonny. The Sunday raids of the fields did not save any family from hunger. It was more of a game—a chance to make a fool of Trevallion.
    “But Michael didn’t cut anything,” Jonny confided. “He was angry, just hit at the grain as if he wanted to knock the whole field down. Could it be that he’s angry at you, Kathie?”
    Kathleen shook her head. “I’m not fighting with your brother.”
    Jonny grinned. “You’re good friends, aren’t you?” He giggled meaningfully and shook the branch back and forth. “If you bring me a scone like you did Michael, then I’ll tell you where he is. And I’ll stay here and keep watch for you two. How about that?”
    “How did you know?” Kathleen blushed. Had Jonny eavesdropped on or even watched her rendezvous with Michael?
    “The lookout knows everything,” Jonny explained. “I even knew you’d come. And I know where Michael’s waiting for you. So, promise me a scone from the manor kitchen. Then I’ll tell you.”
    Kathleen shook her head. “You don’t need to tell me. I can figure it out myself.”
    She suddenly felt an overwhelming longing to throw herself into Michael’s arms. She probably would not even have to tell him what had happened between her parents and Ralph Trevallion. Michael must have listened in on the meeting or heard about it. Word got around lightning