Perhaps someday I shall grow indigo like Eliza Lucas I told my father dreamily Indigo a plant used to dye cloth blue was becoming a popular crop in the area thanks to Eliza Lucas Pinckney Eliza was only sixteen years old when she took over her father’s rice plantation She started experimenting with other crops until settling on indigo She was bold passionate and intelligent I hoped to someday be just like her My father knew of my admiration for Eliza Lucas Don’t forget she had help he said He meant slaves Eliza relied on the knowledge of slaves who’d once grown indigo in Africa Of course Father I said My father often reminded me to appreciate the slaves who worked our fields and took care of our home Father nudged the horses reins and the wagon lurched forward I must take you home now Maggie But we have been out nary an hour I cried I should love more time to breathe the country air
Tomorrow Maggie Today I have business to attend to I tried not to sulk for I knew it was childish But I couldn’t help but mutter Your business will one day be my business On this matter I pray not Father said darkly I glanced sideways at him to see why he’d become so mysterious What is the business he is referring to I wondered But Father’s face was blank as he stared ahead We left the rice fields and trotted through the thick woods that led to the house Low-hanging cypress branches slapped my face and rather unladylike I slapped them back As I turned to yank another branch I saw a flash of bright color deep in the trees Red The color that made my blood boil The color of the enemy British redcoats Charleston South Carolina was known as Charles Town from its founding in 1680 until the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783 when the city's name was shortened
CHAPTER 2 FATHER’S SECRET Father I gasped tugging his arm Redcoats are in the woods Hold on tight Father warned He slapped the horses flanks and they reared into a gallop I clutched the seat for dear life my heart thundering The wagon whooshed along the road We were almost home Any minute now the house would appear and we could rush to the stables and hide until the redcoats left Please let us make it I whispered Halt a voice cried A dozen redcoats rushed from the trees and spilled onto the lane
Father pulled up on the reins The horses neighed and skidded to a stop If I say run you run Father whispered to me I nodded scanning the woods The redcoats had come from the right and I didn’t see a lick of movement on my left I knew the woods inside and out and I knew its hiding places too If I got enough of a lead I could easily lose anyone who tried to follow And then I could rush to the house to find help for Father How may I be of service my father called pleasantly The officer in charge marched toward us He grabbed the reins and commanded Take leave of the wagon I scrambled out but Father moved more slowly He swiveled on the seat nonchalantly but his eyes darted about His hand inched toward the wagon bed His lips moved Run I darted into the woods I expected to hear soldiers steps crashing behind me But instead I heard another
