Gabriel's Horses (5 page)

F
rantic, I search for Pa or Master Giles, but neither is in sight. A man darts from the mob. Grabbing my ankle, he tries to pluck me off Tenpenny, who shies into the crowd. Two men clasp Jackson's arms behind his back, holding him. I cling to Tenpenny's mane, afraid to kick out. A white man is yanking on my leg, and no matter what I do, there will be trouble.

Suddenly, a band of soldiers pushes its way through the crowd. I recognize Private Campbell and Corporal Blue.

Private Campbell raises his rifle, and the crowd goes quiet.

“The boy and his horse won fair and square,” Corporal Blue declares. “Let them go.”

“No colored man tells us what to do, rifle or no,” snarls the man holding my ankle. “Right?” He glances around at the mob, but his comrades are retreating.

He drops my ankle, then backs off, too. “No harm intended,” he mutters and hurries after the others.

“You all right, Gabriel?” Corporal Blue asks.

“Yes sir, th-thanks to you and your men.”

“It was the least we could do,” says Private Campbell, lowering his weapon. “You and that horse made Company H a peck of money.” Staying a safe distance from Tenpenny, he adds with a chuckle, “Just don't tell that white man my rifle ain't loaded.”

I introduce the soldiers to Jackson, who gets to talking with them about the race. I jump off Tenpenny and pull the reins over his head. I'm bone-weary, and the colt needs tending.

As I near the stall, I hunt for Pa, wondering why he's not outside with a bucket of water. Renny is there instead. The team and wagon are waiting at the end of the barn.

“Where's Pa?” I ask.

Renny shrugs. “Your pa's got business in town. Come on, let's get that horse cooled. We're heading home tonight.”

“Tonight? But Penny just raced four miles.”

“Then a walk will keep him from stiffening up. 'Sides, it's Master Giles's orders. He got news that Captain Parmer and his band were leaving Versailles. He wants to git home in case they's headed to Woodville to do some mischief.”

Quickly I untack the colt. While I wash him, he eats his warm mash. Later, when I rub him dry, he sighs with contentment.

By the time Master Giles comes by, it's long past noon. Mister Ham, Beale, and Henry ride up while Renny and I are loading the wagon with the last of the supplies. Jackson arrives soon after, sporting a new red cap. Pa's not with him. I lead Tenpenny from the stall.

“Let's not tarry,” Master says as he snaps shut the case of his pocket watch. “Ride in the wagon, Gabriel. Henry will lead Tenpenny home.”

“Yes sir.” I hand the lead rope to Henry and climb in the wagon bed with Jackson. My feet and fingers are scabby, my body aches, and I'm grateful to stretch out on the feed sacks.

The wagon lurches forward, and we set off. Mister Ham and Beale ride in front. Henry follows the wagon, leading Tenpenny. The last race is over, and folks are heading for their carriages.

Jackson pulls out a small bag from under his vest. With a wink, he hands it to me. My eyes widen when I look inside. There are licorice twists, peppermint sticks, taffy, and gumdrops.

Grinning, I pull out a licorice twist and bite off a hunk before handing back the bag.
Um-um.
I smack my lips. Candy's about as close to heaven as a boy can get.

As we pass through Lexington, I keep expecting Pa to run from one of the stores. When he doesn't, my gut tightens with worry. The wagon creaks and sways, and Jackson's eyes are closed like he's asleep.

“Jackson.” I nudge him with my elbow. “Where's Pa? Why ain't he with us?”

Jackson mumbles but keeps his eyes shut. Frustrated, I kneel on the sacks. The city buildings are falling behind us, and we're headed out of town.

Where's Pa?

Gingerly, I tap Master Giles on his sleeve. “Excuse me, sir. I don't aim to pester you, but I'm right worried about Pa. Last I saw him was by the judges' stand.”

Slowly Master Giles turns. He clears his throat but won't meet my eye. Renny clucks to make the team trot faster. Jackson's opened his eyes, but his gaze is directed at the countryside, not at me. I glance at Henry, who's riding close behind. Immediately he looks away, too.

I clutch the back of the wagon seat, knowing something ain't right. “Master Giles, please, sir—
where's my pa
?”

“Gabriel, you rode a fine race today,” Master Giles replies.

I blink hard, wondering what the race has to do with Pa.

“Your father was mighty proud of you. He knows you're almost a man. He knows you can care for your mother while he's gone.”

“While he's gone?” I repeat. “Gone where?”

“Your father stayed in Lexington. He's enlisted in the Union army.” Master Giles places his hand gently on my shoulder. “He won't be coming home with us.”

I stare at him like he's gone crazy. Pa's lived at Woodville with Ma and me since the day I was born. How can he not be coming home?

“That can't be,” I whisper.

Then it all makes sense: Ma weeping when we left Woodville Farm. Pa telling me he loved me with tears in his eyes.

I flop down on the feed sacks. I want to cry, but the tears don't come. All I can think is
Why didn't he say goodbye?

Jackson pulls a piece of taffy from the bag and hands it to me. “Your pa is a brave man, Gabriel. Only he ain't brave enough to bear your sorrow. That's why he didn't say goodbye. Your ma 'bout broke his heart with her weeping.”

“But Jackson, that ain't fair.
I
didn't get to tell him goodbye!” I push the taffy away. Hot tears stream down my cheeks. “What if I never see him again? What if a Rebel shoots him dead?”

“Oh, you'll see him again. I'll make sure of it. I 'spect he's going to Camp Nelson for training before the army lets him loose on those Rebels. The camp's a long walk, but I'll take you there one day.”

“Promise?” I dry my cheeks on my sleeve.

“Promise.”

The promise makes me feel a speck better. “But, Jackson, why'd he leave me and Ma? Why'd he enlist?”

Jackson shrugs. Pulling his cap over his eyes, he slides down on the feed sacks. “He's got reasons. Your ma will tell you.”

I blow out my breath.
Pa's in the army.
I picture the colored soldiers standing up to those white men, and pride slowly replaces my sorrow. Sure, I'm plum mad Pa didn't say goodbye, but next time I see him, he'll be wearing blue and fighting for freedom.

Suddenly exhaustion hits me, and my eyes drift shut. Beside me, Jackson begins to snore. Curling up on the sacks, I dream about my first trip to Lexington: One Arm, city streets, Union soldiers, licorice twists, Pa enlisting.

Then I dream about the wind on my cheeks as Tenpenny and I race down the homestretch and cross the finish line. Ma will be so proud of me that her sadness about Pa will wash away.

It's night by the time we arrive home, and I finish bedding down Tenpenny. I can barely put one foot in front of the other, but I finally make it back to our cabin. After the city, it seems tiny. Our home ain't fancy like a Lexington hotel, but Pa's job as trainer affords us better quarters than the field hands. We've two rooms and our own privy. Ma and Pa have a feather-stuffed mattress, and I have a bed to myself.

Ma lights a candle, and shadows dance on the whitewashed plank walls. She sits me down on a stool in the bedroom and smoothes ointment on my blistered hands. She cocks her head, listening closely as I tell the tale of my trip.

“One Arm and his raiders had his sights on Penny, Ma, but I was fixing to get away.” My voice rises. “There's no way I'd let a renegade take my horse.”

Ma glances worriedly at the cabin's shut door. “Hush now. Don't talk of One Arm. News has it that this morning he passed Woodville by. Next time the farm might not be so lucky.”

“Next time One Arm might not be so lucky. He might come face to face with a colored soldier like Pa. You should have seen those white men at the racetrack turn tail and run from Private Campbell and Corporal Blue.” I shake my head. “I never thought I'd see the day. I can't wait until I enlist and fight alongside Pa.”

“Oh, no. Don't
you
be getting any bold ideas.” Ma wraps a strip of clean rag round my palm and knots it. “Your pa leaving is hard enough.”

“No ma'am. I ain't ready yet. But I reckon I will one day soon. First I gotta win some more races. Might be by that time Pa will have stripes like Corporal Blue. And he'll have his own company. You'll be so proud.”

Ma sighs like proud ain't what she's thinking about. She picks up my other hand. “I just pray your pa stays safe. Now, tell me 'bout the race.”

Happily, I tell her the whole story, from the time Jackson pretended to hurt his arm to the end. “When I spied that grandstand, I hunkered on Tenpenny's neck, made a kissing noise, and
whoosh
, he flew like the wind across the finish line lengths ahead! Why, you should have seen me struttin' to that judges' stand.”

She laughs. “That's some tale, Gabriel Alexander. It's good Jackson told me the real story.”

“Well, maybe Penny didn't exactly
whoosh
like the wind.” Grinning, I tip my chin high. “I bet you and Annabelle even read 'bout me in the
Lexington Observer
.”

Smiling in the flickering candlelight, Ma holds my bandaged hands in hers. “Your pa always says you have the gift, Gabriel. Use it smart. Your pa's skill with horses brought him to Woodville Farm, where life's been good to us.”

“Then why'd he enlist, Ma?” Angry, I pull my hands from her grasp and jump off the stool. Suddenly, missing Pa gets the better of being proud of him. “He should be here training horses. He should be here with
us
.”

Rising from the bed, Ma sets the ointment on her dresser. When she turns toward me, tears shine in her eyes. “Your pa did it for us, Gabriel. You know he's been saving money to buy our freedom. When he heard the Yankees were paying three hundred dollars to every man who enlisted in the Union army, he jumped at the chance.”

She dabs her eyes with the edge of her apron, then lays her palm below her apron ties. “Gabriel. I'm going to have a baby.”

My jaw falls slack. “A baby?”

Ma's eyes gleam. “Yes. Before your pa left, he added the three-hundred-dollar enlistment fee to the money he's saved training horses. Gabriel, he bought my freedom from Master Giles. Now this child I'm carrying will be born free!”

Free!
The word rings like music in my ears. I hug her round her waist. Then I rear back, embarrassed. A winning jockey doesn't hug his mama, especially when she's with child. “I forgive Pa then. Now you don't have to take orders from
no
one.”

“Mister Giles will still be my boss. But he says he'll pay me wages to care for Mistress Jane.”

I frown. “Why you want to keep taking care of her? You could go off and work in some fancy Lexington store. Sell flowery hats.”

“That sounds like a fine dream, and maybe one day I will. For now, Mistress Jane needs me, and I need the wages. Together your pa and I will save up for
your
freedom.”

“If I enlist like Pa, I can be free tomorrow.”

Ma's smile hardens into a frown. “No, Gabriel. You're too young to enlist. And if I have my way, you'll never be a soldier. I won't have both my men gone. I won't have you both shot by Rebel soldiers.”

“But I want to be free
now
, Ma. Like you and Pa.”

“Then stay here and jockey horses for Master Giles.” Ma places her hands on my shoulders. “Save your winnings. Horses helped buy my freedom and the freedom of this new babe, and one day, Gabriel, they'll buy your freedom, too.”

A
risto's stall stinks. Leaning on the handle of my pitchfork, I stare at the piles of manure and sloppy wet straw. For the past two days it's rained, and the horses have been shut up in the barn. This morning, when the sun poked through the clouds, Jase, Tandy, and me hurriedly turned the horses out. Now we got all these dirty stalls to clean.

“Seven days ago, I was a winning jockey. Today I'm pitchin' manure,” I mutter as I fork up a heavy mat of straw. I toss it into the wheelbarrow, barely missing Jackson, who prances backward like a sissy.

“Boy, don't be getting my britches messy.” Scowling, he swats at his pants legs. He's wearing his new cap and a wool vest. A watch chain hangs from the vest pocket and a stalk of straw dangles from the side of his mouth.

I snort. “You getting as prissy as Annabelle. Weren't that long ago
you
was cleaning stalls.”

“Yup, now I'm a fancy-riding free man.”

A year ago, Jackson used purse winnings to buy his freedom from Master Giles. Now, if he pleases, he can ride for other Thoroughbred owners in the area.

Jackson reaches back and pulls a rolled-up newspaper from his waistband. “Last Saturday's race is written up in here. Annabelle read it to me. There's lots 'bout Tenpenny.”

“There is?” Eyes wide, I lean on the handle of the pitchfork.

Mister Winston Giles's colt Tenpenny leads down the stretch with no sign of tiring
, Jackson recites from memory.

“What'd they write 'bout
me
?” I grin, picturing Annabelle's surprised expression when she read my name.

“Well . . .” Jackson spits out the stalk of straw.

Hanging my head, I start pitching manure again.

“Gabriel,” Jackson says, “reporters don't write
my
name, and I've been winning for two years. Reporters write ‘Mister Giles's colored rider' or ‘the darky rider.'” He points the rolled-up paper at me. “Gotta head north if I want folks to read ‘Jackson' in the paper.”

“That ain't fair,” I grumble.

“Well, I ain't lettin' it get to me, and you shouldn't either. You keep riding as good as you did last Saturday, and maybe one day, when the Yankees free the blacks, they'll write
both
our names.”

That cheers me a speck. “You reckon I'll be racing more horses for Master Giles?”

“Ain't Mister Giles put you on more horses this week?”

I nod. “I've been galloping Captain Conrad and Savannah, and yesterday I started Penny back to work.”

Crossing his arms, Jackson grins slyly. “Sounds like Mister Giles is getting his horses ready for another big meet in Lexington. Sounds like he might let you jockey one of them.”

“He is? He might? When? Where?”

Jackson chuckles. “Kentucky Association track is having a meet two Saturdays from now. Mister Giles is talking about taking a herd of horses. I'm contracted to ride some for Major Wiley, so I can't ride them all.”

“I'll ride!” I prop the pitchfork against the wall, all thoughts of stall mucking banished from my mind. “And this time I'll have a pair of gloves and riding boots.”

Jackson arches one brow. “You'd best get in good with the new trainer before you start making big plans.”

I know Jackson's right. Just yesterday, Master Giles rode over to the Midway depot to pick up the man he hired from the North to replace Pa. But I'm not worried about making a good impression on the new trainer. “I will,” I tell Jackson. “He'll think I'm the finest rider in Kentucky. 'Cept for
you
,” I add with a laugh.

“Get him to put you on Tenpenny again. If you win, Mister Giles might even slip you some purse money. So think on
that
, Gabriel.” Smacking the paper against his palm, he saunters down the barn aisle.

I don't have to think on it long. Purse money means freedom!

Then I scowl, wondering what good freedom would do me. Freedom sure ain't changed Ma's life. She's still fetching and doing for Mistress Jane like before. And didn't Corporal Blue say the colored soldiers are digging latrines and chopping wood for the white soldiers? Free jockeys like Jackson don't even get their names in the papers. The reporters write Tenpenny's name and he's only won one race. Jackson's won more than I can count.

Sighing, I pick up the pitchfork. Freedom sure is all jangled up. When I look at it one way, freedom don't seem so powerful. Yet then I look another way, why, it's
everything
powerful.

“New trainer's comin'! New trainer's comin'!” Jase thumps on the side of the stall as he runs down the aisle.

Dropping the pitchfork again, I jump over the wheelbarrow handles and run after him. The carriage is rumbling up the drive past the Main House. Jase, Tandy, and me watch from the doorway of the barn. Jase is little like me. He exercises the quieter horses, but one day he'll jockey, too. Tandy's already too heavy, but he's good with the two-year-olds and shines them up real pretty.

Across the way, Cato and the other workers appear in the doorway of the carriage and riding horse barn, and Oliver and his men line up in front of the mare and foal barn. Everyone knows no one can take Pa's place, but we're all wondering about the new trainer.

Renny halts the carriage in the area in front of the three barns. A white boy's sitting on the driver's seat next to him. The boy is older than me by a few years, but hard life is etched in his face. Renny jumps down and opens the carriage door, and Master Giles climbs out, followed by a whip-thin man with a bushy moustache.

“You think that's him?” Jase whispers.

Tandy nods. “I 'spect so. But who's dat white boy with Renny?”

The boy jumps from the carriage seat, and Master Giles waves us over. Me, Jase, Tandy, and the others walk toward them, and Master introduces the new man. “This is Mister Newcastle, Woodville's new trainer. He has many years of experience, and in my absence, you'll follow his orders.”

Walking back and forth in front of us, Mister Newcastle inspects us like we're cattle. Then he stops beside Master and says real loud, “I've never worked with slaves before, but I've heard they're lazy and need a firm hand.”

“The men and boys under you are hardworking and talented. Cato and Oliver handle the workers in the other barns. You won't have any problem.” Master gestures for the white boy to step forward. “And this is Danny Flanagan, Mister Newcastle's jockey. He's all the way from Ireland to ride our horses.”

My jaw drops.
Jockey?
Woodville doesn't need a jockey. Jackson and me ride Master's horses!

I glance over my shoulder. Jackson is standing in the doorway of the training barn, half-hidden by the shadows. But I know he's heard. He's furiously wiggling a stalk of straw in his mouth, and his eyes are cold beneath his cap. Abruptly he vanishes into the barn.

I turn back to stare at the boy. Only now I realize Flanagan isn't a boy. He's a man, but stunted like corn in a dry summer. A scar slices one reddish brow, and disdain fills his ghost-pale eyes.

Panic grips my innards. A minute ago, I was dreaming about racing and freedom. But now an Irish jockey's come to Woodville Farm, and those dreams seem as far away as my pa.

In the middle of the fenced circle, Aristo shakes his head at me. Spinning, he paws the ground. I laugh at his meanness 'cause I know he's only playing.

I cluck and he trots off, circling me. No lines hold him; I keep him trotting with my voice. Pa's idea. “Teach him to trust you on the ground, and he'll trust you on his back.”

Since Newcastle, the new trainer, came three days ago, I miss my pa with a heavy sorrow.

“Whoa, 'Risto.” The colt walks over and nuzzles my pocket for a sugar lump. I hold out one in my palm, and while he crunches it, I watch Flanagan gallop Arrow on Master's grassy track. He rides upright with long stirrups, and he's hauling on the reins.

I grit my teeth. Arrow's throwing his head, trying to get away from Flanagan's harsh hands. Yesterday, the man galloped Sympathy, and the poor filly's mouth was bruised from his rough handling. I shake my head. If Pa was here, he'd have Flanagan cleaning stalls, not riding. How can Master not see that his horses don't like the new jockey's ways?

Ever since Flanagan showed up, Jackson's been gone. For the past three days, he's been riding horses at the neighboring farm. Newcastle has Flanagan galloping all Woodville's horses, which means the Irish jockey,
not me
, will be riding in the Lexington races.

Feels like a stone in my craw.

“Be glad that man ain't on your back,” I tell Aristo as I walk over to the fence. The colt follows happily until I pull a saddle off the rail. Then he skitters away.

I roll my eyes. Aristo's a devil when it comes to the saddle and girth. Every day I rub him with all sorts of rags and blankets. I flap them in his face and under his belly, and he stands like a plow horse. But show that colt a saddle and—

“Boy!
You
, colored boy.”

I tense. Newcastle's outside the fence, calling me like I'm a dog with no name. Aristo bolts to the farthest corner. He doesn't like the new trainer either.

Slowly I face Newcastle, keeping my gaze on my toes so he can't accuse me of sassing him. “Yes sir.”

“Who told you to work that colt in here?”

“Master Giles, sir. He gave me freedom to train Aristo.”

“Well, Master Giles isn't here this morning, so you best follow my orders. Put a halter and rope on that colt and bring him into the barn.”

“Yes sir.” Newcastle leaves, and I dare raise my eyes. I let out a shaky breath, afraid for Aristo. Yesterday, when Newcastle tried to go into Aristo's stall, the colt struck at him. Newcastle has hard ways with horses, and now that Master's gone, I fear the colt's going to pay.

I halter Aristo, taking my time. When I lead the colt into the barn, Newcastle's in the middle of the aisle, whip in hand. I stop in my tracks.

“Put him in his stall,” Newcastle commands.

I can't move. Or speak. The sight of that whip has tied my tongue.

He whacks the handle on his palm, and Aristo slides backwards.

“Sir,” I croak, “this colt don't need the lash.”

“The colt
needs
the whip. Tried to strike me yesterday. Pain will teach him respect.”

“But, sir, pain will only—”

Newcastle points the whip handle at me. “Defy my orders and the lash will find
your
back.”

A shiver shakes me to the core. I
can't
disobey a white boss. But I
can't
lead Aristo toward a beating. “If
you
want to beat the horse,
you
put him in his stall!” I holler, flinging the rope at Newcastle. Then I turn and fly like a coward down the aisle.

“Come back here!” Newcastle bellows, but I run faster—out the door, around the corner, and into the hay barn—where I dive into last year's mound of hay, fingers plugging my ears so I don't have to hear the crack of the whip.