“The Good Book says, ‘Render up under Caesar what is his, and render up to the Lord what is his due.’ Now since Caesar is the Roman word for Master, and the Lord is up in heaven, what that means is, your black asses belongs to Master White, until he’s done with them, then Jesus gets what’s left over.”
-Master White’s Sunday sermon to, or at least the one Boy Jack most vividly recalls
One step beyond Happy Acres tobacco plantation, Norfolk Virginia, September 5th, 1826
“Free, free, free at last Baby! Look at that—the wide green road out of Perdition and beyond to Jubilee!”
Boy Jack got no response from his wife Jill, and turned to see her looking longingly back over her shoulder, cradling her little brown son in her arms. He knew she was a woman and would be having doubts so he comforted her. “Baby, we got the road free and clear before us. Canada is but six weeks away!”
Jill looked back at him with tears in her eyes, but one step from going off of Master White’s property. “I’m sorry Baby, I cain’t! Back there we got the bunkhouse, and I’m on good terms up in the Big House—get the best food for Little Man here. It’s dangerous out there. Master says they’re poor white cutthroats ranging all about to bring a fugitive down.”
Jack’s ears began to burn and he blurted, "I knew it bitch—you been layin’ up under Master White—don’t take no one two hours to return a pot to the main kitchen. You just can’t bear to take Little Man there away from his real daddy. That’s it, ain’t it bitch?”
Just then he heard the click of numerous rifle locks and pistol hammers, and the voice of Overseer Jackson, “Hold it right there ոigger. Get him boys. Good girl Jill.”
He could not stand to see the light of betrayal in her eyes and reached out to slap her moonstruck face only to have a heavy weight come crashing down on his head.
