Free The Indigo Pheasant: Volume Two of Longing for Yount: 2 by Daniel A. Rabuzzi Page A

—there is no other way to say it. She knew and I know that such behaviour (the pastors have many words for it, ‘adultery’ being the least of those) is contrary to all our moral and legal codes. It was the same for Mr. Ba, whose Mahomettan faith likewise prohibits such congress between individuals who are not married to one another. Yet, no matter how keenly the two felt remorse for their sin, they felt much more keenly the purity of their love for one another, a love born from the felicitous intertwinement of their minds as they naturally conversed about matters of mutual interest. I say they loved each other, as men and women have loved one another since the Beginning. If that is a wrong thing, then they will each suffer judgement and penalty as they stand before their Creator ; let no other than the Creator be their judge.
    Alas, their Creator was not their sole judge. Sibby became with child and when she could no longer hide this state, her husband realized it could not be his (he not having had carnal relations with his wife recently enough) and became devoured of an evil anger, ‘his brow dark with hot climates.’ Rumour enough there was to lead her husband to Mr. Ba.
    My brother-in-law had his vengeance in full . He had Mr. Ba gelded and otherwise mutilated in front of an audience (all within his rights according to the laws of Maryland), before having Mr. Ba put to death.
    Sibby most forcefully insisted that I promise to note this next, to convey the full depth and gravity of her husband’s conduct, that—as is customary in the American plantations—all members of the community were required to attend the torments in audience. Even at the Gallowlee near Calton Hill or at London’s Tyburn, those attending come of their own accord; none are compelled as Sibby was to watch the rending death of a beloved.
    Sibby also wanted it known that—again as is commonplace on the American plantations—the deceased’s teeth were extracted from his head and used to make dentures, in this case for the merchant McDoon himself.
    When the baby was born, my brother-in-law had it taken immediately from Sibby’s arms, not five minutes old, and given to the slave-women in the rude dwellings behind the main plantation house. As soon as Sibby was recovered enough to travel, my brother-in-law took her and returned to Scotland. Sibby, of course, never saw her baby again and I have been blocked in all my efforts to gain any further intelligence of the child, whether she be alive or dead, etc.
    Here the story stops; I have no more to say, but am relieved and enheartened to have it writ down so that the Truth be aired and now archived.
    In final conclusion , I confirm what I have made explicit in my fully executed last will and testament, namely, that I—Belladonna Eulalia McDoon, born Brownlee—do recognize the existence of my niece, the only daughter of my sister Eusebianna Eudelma McDoon, born Brownlee, by whatever appellation this daughter may have received or currently bear, and wheresoever my niece may be, and in whatever situation she may find herself. Furthermore,
in absentia
but having the full force of our law, I declare, recognize and embrace my niece, and any children or grandchildren she may have or will have, to be among my heirs, and I morever direct, instruct and require that my already indicated heirs, being my son and my daughter, to likewise recognize and embrace my niece and any children and grandchildren she may have, as being co-heirs with all rights attached thereto.’”
    Sedgewick handed the paper to Barnabas.
    “Sanford,” said Barnabas. “This explains so much. . . .”
    “Yes, as I listened I saw your uncle the day he refused your suit for Rehana,” said Sanford.
    “And then he flung you out of the house, honest Sanford, for your support of my declaration,” said Barnabas.
    “You are not your uncle,” said Sanford, putting his hand lightly on Barnabas’s shoulder.
    “Thank you, old friend, but