The Fiddler's Secret (33 page)

For more about Minnesota's historic characters see
www.mnhs.org
.

THE STEAMBOAT
CHRISTINA
:
The steamboat owned and operated by Libby's father and named after her mother. With the exception of the sidewheeler
Christina
and the
James Mason
, the steamboats in the FREEDOM SEEKERS series are historic.

TIME PERIOD:
August 17 through Thanksgiving, which was celebrated on December 10th in 1857. Spring, 1858.

W
hile writing this series, I've received many heartwarming letters from you, my very special readers. Often you've said that these novels have changed your life.

Usually you begin by telling how much you like to read about the excitement and suspense of the Underground Railroad. You talk about Jordan's courage in working for the freedom of his family. You mention Libby, Caleb, Pa, Gran, Peter, or the free blacks and whites who risked their freedom, reputation, and property for what they believed.

Then you say, “There's something I've wondered. If I had lived in 1857, would I have been one of those who helped runaway slaves reach freedom?”

Your question is an important one because you are really asking, “Would I know what I believe about the important things going on around me?” Then, “Would I have the courage to act upon what I believe?”

You might find the answer by asking still another question: “How do I treat the people who are around me now? My family; people of other races and ethnic groups; the kid who is being picked on by bullies; the boy or girl who dresses in a way that's different from everyone else; or the person who is hungry?”

Jordan wanted a home where his family could live safe and free. The fiddler wanted a place where people would be kind to his family. Isn't that the same love and kindness that each of us needs to receive? And every one of us needs to give?

For many years a number of people have offered special kindnesses to me. Big thanks to all of you who have faithfully encouraged and supported my writing. Your caring hearts have helped me continue.

Captain Retired Dennis Trone, builder of the
Twilight
and the
Julia Belle Swain
and for twenty-four years captain of the
Julia Belle Swain
, shared his piloting experience, imagination, and love of steamboats and the river. Thanks, Captain, for the exciting fog and ice scenes, the rattlesnake's appearance, and your strong sense of story. Captain Trone is also the former owner of the Marine Hospital in Galena, Illinois.

My appreciation to the state of Illinois and the people responsible for the terrific camping at the Mississippi Palisades State Park. Along with Libby, Caleb, and Peter, we've enjoyed your incredible view.

Freelance editor and violinist Helen Motter answered my many questions about playing the violin, helped me develop my character Franz, and read portions of the manuscript. Robert Miller, former curator at the
George M. Verity
, the Keokuk River Museum and National Historic Landmark at Keokuk, Iowa, also answered questions for this and nearly every Freedom Seekers novel.

I am indebted to Superintendent Joan Forney at the Illinois School for the Deaf, Jacksonville, for permission to use the finger alphabet chart in this book. Vocational instructor Dennis Daniel and teacher Kathleen Cook gave time and wisdom
toward the practical aspects of that chart. Thank you many times over! As a second grade teacher at the school, Kathleen Cook also helped me with my character Peter. Thanks, too, for your dedication in reading the manuscript, Kathy, and your ideas about a terrier as wonderful as Wellington. Kevin Healy, a student at the same school, inspired me by teaching his dog to obey sign language.

Thank you Laura Smith, a reference librarian at the Red Wing, Minnesota Public Library, and to others who help me develop historic characters from that area.

If you haven't visited St. Paul, you'll be glad to know that the streets have not remained in their 1857 condition. The present streets and freeways offer lovely approaches to the downtown area and the Minnesota State Capitol.

My gratitude to Kate Roberts, exhibit curator, and the Minnesota State Historical Society for your research facility and journal,
Minnesota History
, and for the help of Jenny McElroy, reference librarian, Minnesota History Center.

Thanks to the Ramsey County Historical Society for your journal,
Ramsey County History
, and the help of Julie Reimnitz, administrative manager and researcher, and Mollie Spillman, curator archivist. I am especially indebted to Virginia Brainard Kunz, the Society's former director, for her books,
St. Paul: The First 150 Years; The Mississippi and St. Paul;
and
St. Paul: Saga of an American City
.

Virginia also answered many questions, as did Rhoda R. Gilman. Thanks, Rhoda, for your book
The Story of Minnesota's Past
and your coauthoring of
The Red River Trails
. Thanks to June Drenning Holmquist, editor of
They Chose Minnesota
, and authors David Vassar Taylor, Paul Kirchner, and Anne R. Kaplan.

Two persons gave me the thought I needed at just the right time: Dr. Charles L. Blockson, author of
The Underground Railroad
, and Miles McPherson, author of
The Power of Believing in Your Child
. I am also grateful for the insights of Sven Sjostedt, columnist and freelance writer; Lisa Krahn, site manager, Sibley Historic Site; John Anfinson, district historian, Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul; Greg Brick, geologist; Catherine Mix, editorial assistant,
The Minnesota Volunteer;
and the
St. Paul Pioneer Press
for their early
Pioneer and Democrat
newspapers. Roger Mackey, Louie Morelli, and Bette Johnson helped me with the Swede Hollow area.

As always, thanks to the entire Bethany team for your work with the first edition of these novels. Special gratitude to Jeanne Mikkelson, publicity director, and my in-house editors, Rochelle Gloege and Natasha Sperling, for persevering with me and caring about me as a person.

This novel marks the twentieth book that my out-of-house editor, Ron Klug, has edited for me. Thanks, Ron, for the amazing, life-giving way you have helped shape my work. You've earned a very big award, especially in the hearts of my readers.

Thank you to every person at Moody Publishers who has had a part in bringing out this new edition of the Freedom Seekers series: Deborah Keiser, Associate Publisher of River North, for her strong gifting, creative planning, and visionary leadership; Michele Forrider, Audience Development Manager, for day-to-day marketing and making connections with you, my audience; Brittany Biggs, Author Relations; Editorial Assistant, Bailey Utecht; Pam Pugh, General Project Editor, for her oversight, management, and working through the details that bring this book to completion. Thanks, also, to Artist
Odessa Sawyer for giving us exciting art that keeps us asking, “What will happen next?”

Finally, I'm grateful to my husband, Roy, to each of our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren. You've brought richness, truth, and a sense of humor to our life together. By being the terrific persons you are, you have profoundly influenced my thinking and writing. Thanks to each one of you!

CHAPTER 1

W
ithout making a sound, Briana O'Toole slipped out the door to walk the mountain behind her home. In the half-light before dawn her reddish blonde hair swirled around her face. Her brown eyes peered into the mist that hid the valley below.

From the time she was born, Bree had lived in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. As if they were close friends, she knew every bush, tree, and stone along the path. What she
didn't
know was that this September day in the late tenth century marked the end of her old life and a new beginning.

After a steep climb, Bree reached her favorite spot on the side of Brockagh Mountain. When the breeze came, she felt it first upon her face. Moments later, the rising sun broke through the mist. The distant waters of the Irish Sea drew Bree in a way she couldn't explain even to herself.
If only I could know what's out there
.

For Bree the thought was not new. Years ago it started as a hunger—a curiosity that built with each story she heard about life in distant places. By now her wish to know the world beyond Ireland was a longing that wouldn't go away. What would it be like to see faraway lands?

Still watching the sea, Bree felt the dream of adventure.
But then a whisper of fear crept into her thoughts. It would depend on what those faraway lands would be.
Would I have the courage I need?

Her brother, Devin, seemed brave enough for most anything. But Bree knew an unknown world might be frightening too. Whenever friends gathered in the cottages of Ireland, she heard stories about Vikings and their fast ships with the dragon heads. Fierce raiders from the North countries, they fell like lightning upon a peaceful countryside.

Bree shivered.
Please, God, not here. Not ever again
.

As the red ball of light grew large, the sun glittered and danced on the sea. Tossing her long hair over her shoulders, Bree shrugged off her worry. She'd let nothing spoil the wonder of this, her thirteenth birthday. In a blue dress that gave her the freedom to climb steep hills, Bree felt ready to celebrate.

When she started down the mountain, the mist still hung in the valleys, but she took the long way home. Even without seeing them, Bree knew every turn of the rivers that passed near her family's farm on their way to the Irish Sea.

Below her lay the place where she took her younger brother and sisters swimming. Beyond that sheltered spot, two rivers flowed together. Close by, her father had nearly drowned as a child. Often he warned them about the stepping-stones just upstream.

“People think it's an easy spot to cross,” Daddy said. “But if something goes wrong—”