Free Midnight Rescue by Lois Walfrid Johnson Page B

how he’s learning to mind me?” she asked instead. Telling Samson to stay, she walked toward the door that lead to the forward deck. There she turned and called.
    Samson came to her at once, and Libby kept walking. In spite of the cool morning she felt warm with nervousness.
    Another trip still
, she thought, dreading the idea.
    Back on the texas deck again, she piled her quilts on the Newfoundland’s back. “I’m training you to carry loads, Samson,” she said. “If anyone asks, you remember that.”
    Once again Libby started out. As she passed onto the boiler deck she found first-class passengers coming out of their rooms to take their exercise. More than once someone smiled at her and Samson. Giving a quick wave, Libby smiled back but kept going.
    When she reached the main deck again, Libby looked around. Sure enough, Bates stood there as if waiting for her. Instead of turning into the cargo room, Libby started around the corner to the side deck. Wherever there was enough space, she walked, called for Samson to follow, then praised him when he did.
    “Good dog. Good boy, Samson. You’re learning fast,” Libby said, loudly enough for Bates to hear.
    For at least fifteen minutes Libby waited for the first mate to leave. Finally she headed for Gran’s kitchen to get Samson his food. When he finished eating, Libby returned to the forward deck.
    To her disappointment Bates was still there. Whenever sheglanced his way, Libby saw him looking toward her. At last he seemed to grow tired of watching her. But when he walked up the steps, he turned around when he reached the boiler deck. Just before passing through the doors into the main cabin, he turned again. This time Libby smiled and waved.
    Bates was too dignified to wave back. With his back straight and his shoulders stiff, he marched into the dining room.
    The minute he disappeared, Libby hurried into the cargo room. With trembling fingers she untied her quilts. Once more she glanced around, making sure that no one watched. Then she pushed aside the machine and pulled up the secret hatch.
    As she picked up a quilt to throw it down the hole, she heard a door open.

CHAPTER 8
Jordan’s New Plan

    L ibby’s heart pounded. Whirling around, she stared at the two people standing near the door from the engine room. In the dim light it was hard to see their faces.
    Then one of them spoke. “What you doin’, Libby?”
    Libby sagged with relief. Even her knees felt weak. “You scared me, Jordan. I’m bringing blankets for your family.” Though they had never talked about it, Libby felt sure that Jordan knew about the hiding place for runaway slaves.
    “I thanks you, Libby,” Jordan said.
    When Caleb stepped forward, Libby felt angry. “You’re following me around now?”
    It upset Libby. If Caleb and Jordan found it so easy to figure out what she was doing, what about someone else—someone who shouldn’t know?
    Libby picked up the quilts, tossed them into the hold, closed the hatch, and swung the machinery back into place. With Samson trailing behind her, she stalked off.
    “Wait, Libby,” Caleb called.
    “What for?” Already Libby had forgotten she was going to set things straight with Caleb and Jordan. Instead of helpingher hide the quilts and blankets, the boys had watched and followed her, scaring her besides.
    As she reached the door to the deck, Caleb caught up. “We need to talk,” he said.
    “I need to talk,” Libby said. “You need to listen. But this isn’t the time.”
    “Yes, it is,” Caleb said. “We’re leaving soon.”
    “To start the rescue?” Libby had both dreaded and looked forward to that moment.
    When Caleb took the lead, Libby followed him up to the hurricane deck. It was still quiet there and the three could sit down and talk.
    “You first, Libby,” Caleb said.
    Though it was just what she wanted, it was not the way Libby wanted it. With her heart still pounding, she began to explain. “That man on the deck last