Chapter six
607 Words
We booked passage the next week. The voyage went smoothly, at least for Helios; but I was ill the whole time. Helios, though, was at home on the sea and was used to long voyages. On the other hand, I had never been on a ship in my life. And my sickness showed.
It only took a few weeks to get to our destination. As we got off the ship, we were given our bags and we set off to the nearest hotel. Soldiers in gray uniforms walked the streets in groups. I watched them as we went into the hotel entrance. I almost bumped into a young woman as I was not looking where I was going.
"Oh! Pardon me miss! I am sorry." I said, looking embarrassed.
"No harm done sir." She replied, walking away. She went up to a soldier and greeted him. Then kissed him.
We went to the service desk and got the key to our room. And, as we walked down the hall, soldiers passed us. They looked so captivating and I longed to be one of them.
We didn't bother unpacking, for we were only to stay but a day and there was no point. Helios before booking our passage, had found us a nice plantation in New Orleans. It was an old plantation built in the 1670's. As we rode up to the house I was captivated by its beauty. We were taken up to the entrance by the driver and our bags were carefully set in the foyer.
"Hope you enjoy yourselves here sirs." Said the driver.
"Thank you. I'm sure we will." Replied Helios, tipping his hat. The carriage then rode away.
"Well..." I said. "What's on the agenda?" Helios smiled.
"Let's have a look around shall we?" I was so pleasantly surprised at his answer that I jumped a little with excitement. Helios just smiled in amusement. But I know he was just as excited, even if he didn't show it.
We went towards the back of the house and, when we reached the actual location, I was awed by what we saw. There in the middle of the yard stood a large willow tree with a white picket fence that stood humbly beneath it. It went all the way around the tree. But the gate was partially open. I went over to the gate and, there, sitting on the ground, I saw a young n***o man. He was wheeping.
"What's wrong fella?" I asked, kneeling before him. My voice must have startled him, for he looked up quickly and gasped.
"There's nothing to fear, my friend. We won't hurt you. Tell me why are you crying?" The young man sniffed and wiping away his tears he spoke.
"My massah, he dead. And I'z dunno where my family at." He started to cry again.
"What is your name young fella?" Asked Helios, looking down at us.
"Thomas seh."
"You say your master's dead? What happened to him?"
"He took sick and died two weeks ago. Den dah whole house left."
"They left you?" I asked. He nodded.
"Stand, my friend." Said Helios. The man stood with no problem.
"You want another master, am I right?" Asked Helios.
"Deh ain't no one heh tah be my massa. No one heh but us folk. And I dun think y'all wanna be my massa." Helios smiled. I on the other hand, was confused.
"We will be your new master's. Would you like that?"
"Yah ain't lyin?! Y'all take me in?! Yah do dat, and ill falla yah anywhere."
"And so you shall." Stated Helios, leading him to the house.
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