Free Queen by Alex Haley

to
        America!"
        The call of his new land, his new life exhilarated him, and he galloped
        up the drive to his father's house, loving the clean fresh air of
        freedom. Jugs might have been waiting for him, for she ran from the house
        when she heard his horse, and cried out his name. She threw her apron
        over her head, and sat on the steps weeping, because he was safe, and
        home again.
    He turned her tears to laughter by picking her up and swing- 44 ALEX HALEY'S QUEEN
     
    ing her round, gasping good-naturedly with the effort.
    "Put me down," she cried. "I'm too heavy!"
        11 Yes, you are!" he laughed, and put her down. She held his face in her
        hands and looked at him closely, as if inspecting every pore of him, to
        see what the world had done to her boy. Satisfied that there were no
        visible scars of his wars, she hugged him, and old Quinn came by, looking
        older now, and walking with a stick. He shook Jamie's hand, and winked
        that he would hear all his news in the stable, when old Jugs was done
        with him.
        She took him to the kitchen, and fed him mugs of thick sweet tea, and
        oatcakes, and begged to hear all he had done.
        He told her of his adventures, but briefly, because he could tell Jugs
        did not want the details, they were too distressing for her. She crossed
        herself when he described how Scan died, and she cursed the British when
        he described Newgate Prison.
        He told her he had to leave Ireland, and where he would go. Jugs turned
        her head away, to compose herself.
        " 'Tis proper that ye go," she said. "There's nothing for ye here. "
    She tried hard to look on the bright side.
        "And half of Ireland is there afore ye. Ye'll not lack for friends. "
    But she could not hide her fear.
        "But, oh, Master Jamie," she cried. "Be careful of them Injuns. They's
        awful fierce, the heathen savages,"
        He laughed and said he would be very careful, and then asked after his
        father.
    "In his study," Jugs said. "He's waiting for ye."
        Jamie went to his father's study, rapped on the door, and went in when
        called.
        James Jackson was writing at his desk, and finished his signature before
        he looked at his son. He stared at him for a few moments, and nodded his
        head, as if in approval.
        "You look none the worse for your misadventures," he said. "In fact, you
        look positively healthy."
    "Good evening, sir," Jamie smiled. "I trust you are well."
        His father nodded again. "Things have come to a sorry pass," he said. "I
        told you no good would come of mixing with croppies. "
        BLOODLINES 45
     
    Jamie felt a flash of anger, but controlled himself.
        "I blame myself, of course," his father continued. "I should have been
        stricter with you. I'm sorry if you found me wanting as a father. I tried
        to do my best by you."
        Jamie struggled hard to control a smile. It was hard for him to imagine
        how his father could have been stricter with him.
        ~'To make some small amends I have booked you a passage to America. It
        is not until April-it seems it is a popular destination. I suppose you
        will want to stay here until then."
        It was not a gracious invitation, but Jamie was pondering something else.
        How did he know about America? Had Eleanor told him'?
        He accepted the envelope his father gave him. "Thank you, sir," he said,
        but his father did not smile.
        "I have also made arrangements for some portion of the family funds that
        would have come to you to be sent in letters of credit for your use in
        Philadelphia."
        Uncle Henry had told him, Jamie guessed. He had not talked to Eleanor
        about Philadelphia.
        "After