Chapter 1
Isabel and her sister Ruth attend the funeral of their Mistress, Mary Finch. Isabel and her sister Ruth are slaves. Before the
burial, Isabel asks permission to visit her mother’s grave. It is given, but she must hurry. When she reaches the grave, she
asks her mother for help, because “It’s here. The day you promised.”
Chapter 2
Robert Finch, the nephew of Mary Finch has inherited Isabel and Ruth. Isabel tells him that Mary Finch has made a will
and set them free. Pastor Weeks mildly supports this fact, but gives in to Robert Finch’s insistence that they must hurry
and leave the cemetery. Mr. Robert refuses to believe Isabel, and will not check it out. He intends to sell the girls as soon
as possible.
Chapter 3
Mr. Robert sends them into Mary’s house to fetch their belongings – an old blanket and shoes that already are too small
for their feet. Isabel also grabs a handful of flower seeds her mother had collected. Then, they ride to Newport, stopping at
Sullivan’s Tavern where Robert Finch hopes to sell Isabel and Ruth. He wants to hold an auction to sell the girls. The girls
are befriended by Jenny, the owner of the tavern, and she feeds them. She tries to buy them, but is quickly outbid by the
Anne and Elihu Lockton.
Chapter 4
The girls are taken to a ship, the “Hartshorn.” They are put below deck with six sheep, a pen of hogs, three families from
Scotland and fifty cases of goods. Isabel was seasick for most of the ship.
Mamma had told Isabel that ghosts can’t move across water. That’s why kidnapped Africans can be taken to the
Americas. This is the reason that the ghost of Isabel’s mother can’t save the girls.
Chapter 5
The ship docks in New York City and all the crates of the Lockton’s must be inspected. Billingham, a Patriot, accuses the
Lockton’s of being a Loyalist, loyal to England and the King. Mr. and Mrs. Lockton deny this. Anne Lockton does not
want her crate searched, so she tells the soldiers that her underwear are in it. During the argument between Mrs. Lockton
and Billingham, Ruth giggles. Mrs. Lockton demands to know who laughed, and Isabel protects Ruth by saying she did.
Mrs. Lockton slaps Isabel hard across the face, almost knocking her down. Isabel is shocked, as she has never been
slapped like that before.
Chapter 6
Isabel meets Curzon, Bellingham’s slave boy. He offers to show her where the Tea Water Pump and the Lockton’s house
are, so that Isabel can fetch water. Isabel is called “Country” by Curzon. Curzon stops at a shop, and brings out a small
package and two buttered rolls. He gives both to Isabelle, saying he ate already. He tells her that the Lockton’s are
Loyalists. He wants her to be a spy, listen to the conversations of the Anne and Elihu Lockton, then to report to him any
information concerning the King’s troops. He tells her that by helping the Patriots, she would be helping herself to get
freedom. She refuses, saying she promised her mother she would look after Ruth.
Chapter 7
Isabel, with Curzon’s help fetches the water and takes it to the Lockton’s house. She meets
Becky, the Lockton’s maid. Becky is paid help, and leaves each evening to return to her own
home; she is not a slave. Becky tells Isabelle what to do, and Isabel does it. Isabel learns
that Curzon was right; the Lockton’s are Loyalists, even though they told Billingham they
were Patriots.
Chapter 8
Mrs. Lockton uses Ruth as her personal servant, which worries Isabel, as she cannot watch
over her. Ruth is dressed up in nice clothing, and stays by Mrs. Lockton’s side. Isabel resents
Ruth being made into a “curiosity,” and the fact that they are the slaves of the Locktons. Becky
warns Isabel to be careful because Mrs. Lockton beats her slaves. At night, Isabel lays
awake thinking about Curzon’s offer to become a spy for the Patriots.
Chapter 9
General Washington has arrived in New York City. He marches his soldiers down Broadway. Becky has gone to watch
the event. Isabel meets Lady Seymour, the aunt of Mr. Lockton. Isabel is asked her name by Lady Seymour and she
responds, “Isabelle Finch”. Madame Lockton tells her that it is a ridiculous name, and that from now on she will be called
“Sal Lockton.” Isabel notices that Ruth has been crying – her eyes are red and puffy. Ruth calls Isabel, and Madame
demands silence. Ruth puts her finger to her lips and says “SHH..” Isabel can see that Ruth is afraid.
Isabel is ordered to take sustenance (food and drink) to the gentlemen in the library. After serving them, she must remain
in the room, standing in the corner. She listens to the conversation of Master Lockton, Goldbutton, Inkstained and
Shabbywig. They are discussing the King’s plan to bribe Patriots to switch sides. A chest is opened, and it is filled with
money, to be given to rebel men that agree to become Loyalists. They will also be given five guineas and 200 acres of
land. If the man is married, he will be given another 100 acres, and 50 acres for each child. Isabel is listening, even though
she acts as though she is bored and not listening. She decides she will tell Curzon what she has heard.
Chapter 10
Isabel asks Ruth why she was crying, but Ruth will not tell her. After everyone in the house is asleep, Isabel sneaks out of
the house to run to Curzon’s house. She must be very careful, as slaves are not allowed out after dark without a pass from
their masters. She does not have permission, or a pass, to be out at night. She makes it to Bellingham’s house, and is able
to tell Curzon what she had heard this evening.
Chapter 11
Isabel is with Becky and is immediately put to work. Madame is in a very bad mood and is constantly yelling at Isabel.
Ruth is busy scrubbing the back steps. A group of men and soldiers arrive at the house with Bellingham. They have come
to search the house and to remove lead from the fixtures and windows. The lead will be made into ammunition for the
Patriots. The soldiers find the chest, but there are only dirty linens in it – the money from the night before is gone.
Bellingham gives Master Lockton a summons and places him under arrest and takes him away.
Chapter 12
Isabel is sent to Lady Seymour’s house to tell her about Master Lockton’s arrest. Lady Seymour calls her Isabel, and
invites her into the house. She gives her cookies and milk, while Isabel tells her of the arrest. Lady Seymour tells Isabelle
she must tell Madame not to flee, as that will make them look guilty. She gives Isabelle two notes, one for the lawyer and
one for Ann Lockton.
Chapter 13
Master Lockton returns home the next evening. Master and Madame begin yelling at each other, and objects are thrown.
Mrs. Lockton is hit hard by her husband. Madame has a swollen, cut lip, but blames it on a fall caused by Isabel’s
carelessness. She tells Isabel she slipped on candle wax on the floor.
Isabel continues listening to Lockton and his friends, but there is no useful information given. When she goes to fetch
water, she meets Curzon. They discuss Master Lockton, who is on parole and is not allowed to leave New York City.
However, he comes and goes as he pleases, as there are not enough rebel soldiers to watch him. Also, his aunt, Lady
Seymour has strong connections in New York and England. Curzon tells Isabel that the Royal Fleet is approaching, ready
for battle.
In the evening, Isabel makes Ruth a cornhusk doll. On another night, after the Lockton’s are asleep, Isabel sneaks into the
library and begins reading Robinson Crusoe. Also, after everyone is asleep, she sneaks outside and plants her momma’s
seeds.
Chapter 14
Madame calls Isabel to serve Mr. Lockton, the mayor of New York, and other men. Madame tries to enter the room with
Isabel, but is blocked by Master Lockton. Isabel listens to the conversations as she serves the men. The plan to bribe the
rebels has failed. She also hears that the Continental Congress is close to declaring their independence. Next, the men
discuss a plan to kill General Washington, saying he has committed treason. The punishment for treason is death by
hanging, and then the body is quartered and sent to four corners of the kingdom – to Charleston, Philadelphia, Boston and
New York. The Loyalists have a man in the Life Guards, who works closely with General Washington. He will help with
their plan to kill General Washington. Master Lockton insists that he is told the names of all the men involved in this plan,
to insure that he is protected. The men’s names are written down, and the list is given to him. As Isabel leaves the room to
get more wine, a loud scream is heard.
Chapter 15
Ruth has fallen to the ground and is having a seizure. Madame is screaming, “It’s the devil!” She is beating Ruth with a
broom. Isabel lies on Ruth, covering her body to protect Ruth from the broom. Mr. Lockton arrives to see what the yelling
is about, and Madame insists that Ruth be sold immediately, as she is a “demon.” Lockton asks Isabel if Ruth has the
“falling sickness” and if it happens often. Isabel begs that Ruth not be sold. Meanwhile, Ruth has recovered and is picking
up the peas that she has spilled. Master decides Ruth is harmless and useful, so she will stay. He then returns to the library
to finish his meeting. Madame then orders Ruth to stay away from the milk, so that she will not curdle it. Ruth will not be
Madame’s personal servant anymore.
Chapter 16
Isabel decides that she and Ruth must flee, but she will need help. After the house is asleep, Isabel enters the library, and
steals the list of names of the men involved in the plot to kill General Washington. She leaves the house to take it to the
rebel soldiers. She successfully makes it to the Battery. She tells the guard that she has a message for Colonel Regan.
After some difficulty, she meets with the Colonel. She gives him the list, and tells him what she has heard. He believes
her, as there have been rumors about a traitor and a plot. Isabel is given the list back, and is told to put it back in its hiding
place so suspicion is not raised. She is given a secret code, “ad astra” to get back into the fort in case she has more
information.
Chapter 17
Master did not notice anything different about the list, and went about his business as usual. Ruth is no longer Madame’s
personal slave – she is now helping Becky in the kitchen. Madam will not allow Ruth near her because Madame thinks
Ruth is inhabited by demons. Isabel’s plant is growing. There was much gossip about what would happen when the
British ships and soldiers arrived. Loyalist shopkeepers have been tarred and feathered, and their ships have been
destroyed.
Two days after Isabel visited Colonel Regan, “Goldbuttons” came to the house. He told Lockton the plot has been
uncovered. Master Lockton plans to escape, and he burns all of his papers. Madame wants to leave with him, but he
refuses to take her. She must remain in the house and protect their belongings. When Madame continues to argue, he hits
her very hard. In order to escape, Master is hidden in a crate which is marked CHEESE. He tells Madame he is going to
Dr. Van Buskirk’s house in Bergen County. Isabel offers to get Lady Seymour, as she wants to leave the house so she can
tell Colonel Regan of Lockton’s escape. However, Madame refuses, and the doors and windows are locked. She continues
to burn Master’s papers.
The soldiers arrive at dawn, but all the papers have been burned. Master has successfully escaped. Becky returns from the
market with gossip to tell Madame. Becky has heard that a co-conspirator, a Life Guard soldier, named Hickey, has
“flapped his mouth.”
Chapter 18
Isabel and Ruth attend the hanging of the traitor, Hickey. She runs into Curzon, and they talk. Isabelle and Ruth are very
upset by the hanging.
Chapter 19
Isabel and Ruth are taken to church. Servants and slaves must go upstairs in the gallery. During the mass, a boy runs into
the church shouting, “The British have sailed into the harbor!” Ten British ships have docked at the Staten Island Harbor.
Everybody from the church went to see the ships and the British soldiers. Ruth has a mild seizure, which Isabel and Lady
Seymour try to hide from Madame Lockton. Many people are leaving the city, as they are afraid fighting will begin soon.
When Madame, Isabel and Ruth return to the house, Isabelle is told wash the table linens. Ruth amuses herself by washing
rocks. Ruth throws some muddy rocks into Isabel’s rinse bucket, which muddies the washed linens. Madame Lockton
sees what happens from the window, Isabel knows that Madame has seen Ruth’s actions, and she is scared.
Chapter 20
Madame’s mood changes rapidly, from depressed to very happy. When Isabel is sent on errands she learns that the
Continental Congress has declared independence. The Patriots of New York City have knocked down and smashed a
statue of King George. The lead from the statue will be used to make ammunition for the rebels to use against the English
soldiers. Isabel takes a small piece of the statue to save. When Isabel returns to her Master’s house, she is surprised to see
that Madame has some visitors, and that Ruth is in the room with them. Also, Madame has baked gingerbread and made
some sweet milk. Becky tells Isabel that Madame was “insistent” that Isabel eat some gingerbread and drink some milk,
as the reverend had told her she was too harsh on her servants and must mend her ways. Isabel is also given the night off.
Isabel becomes very tired, and falls asleep.
Chapter 21
When Isabel wakes up the next morning, Ruth is not in the room. She runs out of the room and to the kitchen looking for
Ruth. Becky has been crying, and she tells Isabel that Ruth has been sold. Becky tells Isabelle that Madame sent her home
early, and she thinks the warm milk had a sleep potion in it, so they could “spirit” Ruth away. Ruth is on her way to
Nevis, in the West Indies, to be a housemaid in a physician’s house.
When Madame comes to the kitchen, Isabel questions her and calls her a “miserable cow.” Isabel is so angry, she feels
like beating Madame and continues yelling at her. Madame tells her that she can have her hanged. Madame grabs a
picture of the wall, hits Isabel over the head with it and runs away screaming. Isabel runs out the front door. She runs to
the fort, screaming, “ad astra”, as she approaches the gate. She is allowed in, and she runs to find Colonel Regan. Isabel
begs him for help. Soon, Madame Lockton arrives, demanding that her “property” be returned to her. Madame offers to
sell Isabel, but he needs manservants to dig ditches, not girls, so he refuses to buy Isabel. Colonel Regan tells Isabel that
the “law binds my hands and actions. You must return to your mistress.” Isabel bolts for the window and almost makes it.
Chapter 22
When Isabel regains consciousness, she is being dragged up a street. She is then put into a dungeon, which is dark, noisy
and rough. She is given little food until her trial. At her trial, she is found guilty of violating her Mistress, destroying
property and attempting to run away. Madame asks that she be branded with an “I” for insolence and the judge agrees.
Chapter 23
After another two days in the dungeon, Isabel is pulled by a rope outside, and is put in a stock. Nearby, a hot coal fire
burns, and a man heats up the branding iron. A man, also in stocks, tells her not to scream, as that is what they want to
hear. Then, the man with the branding iron, presses the iron hard against Isabel’s cheek. Isabel states, “They cooked me”.
Isabelle passes out, and she has visions of her parents. They wrap their arms around her and cool her face with their ghost
tears, Isabelle thinks, “Night crept into my soul.”
Chapter 24
After regaining consciousness, Isabel is told by Lady Seymour that she was near death after the branding and was put in
stocks Curzon saved Isabelle by going to Lady Seymour and telling her that Isabel was “near dead” in the stocks. After six
days of unconsciousness, Isabel awakens in a clean room on a soft bed. She is at Lady Seymour’s house and is being
nursed back to health. Lady Seymour sits with Isabel at the table. Isabel learns that Lady Seymour thinks the buying and
selling of children is repugnant, but she does not know where Ruth is – Madame Anne would not tell her. Isabelle eats a
hardy breakfast and has a warm bath. Madame insists that Isabel be returned as soon as she is up and feeling better.
Unfortunately, Lady Seymour takes Isabelle back to Madame Lockton’s house. Lady Seymour enters the Lockton’s house
through the front door, but Isabel must enter through the back.
Chapter 25
Back at the Lockton’s, Isabel continues doing her chores. Madame does not look at her or speak to her. She relays her
orders to Isabel through Becky. Curzon keeps trying to talk to her, but she avoids him and refuses to talk to him. Becky
tells Isabel that she must tell Curzon to stop coming to the house, or Madame will have him beaten. She finally talks to
him and tells him to stay away. He wants her to continue her spying, but she refuses. She does not believe the rebels will
really help to free the slaves.
Chapter 26
War has hit New York City. Lockton’s house needs repair, but no one is available to do it. The men have either become
soldiers or have fled the area. Isabelle is sent for water. She had cut her hand, and it was very painful carrying the empty
buckets. At the Tea Water Pump, many slaves have gathered and are discussing freedom. The British have promised
freedom to any slave that joins their army. The old slave called Grandfather tells them they must “choose your own side,
find your road through the valley of darkness that will lead you to the river Jordan.” After seeing Isabel’s face, with the
“I” scar, he tells her that a scar is a sign of strength, the sign of a survivor. Isabelle sees Curzon, and learns he is a rebel
soldier. He has taken Bellingham’s place and is promised his freedom. As Isabel returns to the Lockton’s house, she has
difficulty carrying the full buckets because of her injured hand. She must carry one at a time, then run back and get the
other. Curzon sees her difficulty, and without saying a word carries the buckets of water for her. As they walk, they do not
look at each other, nor speak to each other.
Chapter 27
The British soldiers win a big battle in Brooklyn, killing or capturing 1,000 rebels. The surviving rebels retreated, Isabel
continues thinking about what she heard at the pump, and wonders if the British would really free her.
A heavy fog covers New York City at night, allowing General Washington and his troops to move to New York Island.
When Becky goes to shop, she walks through Washington’s abandoned campground. She sees dead, dying and maimed
men lying on the ground. As Becky tells Isabel what she has seen, they wonder whose side God is on – the rebels or the
British. Every day when Isabel goes to the pump she looks for Curzon. After eight days, she is happy when she sees him,
and knows he is not chopped up or dead.
Chapter 28
Isabel is ordered to go to the shops by Madame to pick up items, even though New York City is under attack by the
British Navy. As Isabel is going to the shops, she decides it is time to join the British Navy. As she is walking, she meets
soldiers and others traveling in the opposite direction. Isabel crawls into an empty shop to wait for the crowd of people to
pass her. She hopes the British come soon, before Madame hires someone to find her.
Chapter 29
Isabel arrives on the dock, where British soldiers are unloading from their ships. She talks to Captain Campbell. She tells
him she will be very useful – she can cook, wash and care for the sick and wounded. She is also able to tell him where
General Washington’s headquarters is located. He questions her about her “I” brand, and she explains about her sister
being sold. He is sympathetic to her. However, when he discovers she is owned by a Loyalist, he refuses her offer. He
tells her only slaves of rebels may join the British Army and be freed. While she is talking to Captain Campbell, Master
Lockton exits the ship and is very surprised to see her. She explains that she has been sent to the market and shows him
her list. Master notices her brand, and asks if it stands for illustrious or impertinent. Captain Campbell protects Isabel, tells
Master that she had greeted him in the King, and thanked him for rescuing the city from the rebels. Isabel quickly goes to
the market, buys her items, and returns to the house.
Chapter 30
Two British officers move into the Lockton’s house. Becky has fled the city, and Isabel is the only servant remaining in
the house. Isabel still sleeps at night with Ruth’s doll, but she no longer kisses it good-night.
Lady Seymour has lost all of her servants and has eight Hessian soldiers living in her house. She requests Isabel to be sent
to her house. Madame does not want to let Isabel go, as she will then have no servants and will have to do all the work
herself. However, Master tells Madame that it is a time for sacrifice, and he tells Isabel to go to help at Lady Seymour's
house.
Isabel, at first, is afraid of the tough soldiers, but soon becomes comfortable around them. Some of the men even said
“Danke”, (thank-you) to her and they like the cats that are in the house.
Loyalist refuges are coming into the city, wanting the British Army to protect them from the rebels.
Chapter 31
Isabel awakens coughing, because smoke fills her room. New York City is on fire – building after building is burning.
Isabel grabs Ruth’s doll and runs past Lady Seymour’s room. Lady Seymour grabs her, saying “Help me”. Lady Seymour
tries to take a trunk with her, but it is too heavy. She grabs pictures, sacks and small boxes of letters from the trunk. Half
way out of the house, Lady Seymour collapses, so Isabel pulls her down the hall. They make it out of the burning house
and head north. Lady Seymour’s has difficulty moving her left leg and her speech is garbled. Isabelle slowly manages to
take her to the Lockton’s house, and they both enter through the front door.
Chapter 32
Nearly 500 homes were burned, along with churches, shops and stables. Thousands of people were homeless and many
have died. Most believe that the American rebels had started the fires. Nathan Hale, a school teacher, was arrested and
admitted he was a spy, but denied that he had started the fire. He was sentenced to hand for treason against the King of
England. Before he was hung, Nathan Hale, said that he was sorry that he could die only once for his country.
Isabel lost Ruth’s doll while fleeing the fire, but still had a picture and the letters of Lady Seymour. Lady Seymour had
suffered “apoplexy” (a stroke) during the fire. Master insists that Lady Seymour remains in his house while she recovers.
Madame does not like having Lady Seymour in the house. Isabel must care for Lady Seymour.
Lady Seymour thanks Isabel for helping her, and Isabel gives her the portrait of her husband and the love letters. Eleven
more soldiers move into the Lockton’s house. There are also five wives of the soldiers who have moved in with their
husbands. They were a big help to Isabel as the helped with the cooking and cleaning.
Chapter 33
British troops drilled and patrolled the streets. Isabel had to do the hardest jobs – fetching water, wood chopping and
chamber pot cleaning. Also, Colonel Hawkins used Isabel to deliver messages.
The price of food doubled, then doubled again. The burned section of the city was called “Canvastown”, because of the
Loyalist refugees living in tents. Isabel’s plant that she had grown from Mama’s seeds has died. Once again, Isabel
collects the seeds from the dead flower and saves them. Lady Seymour gives Isabel a new, heavy skirt and a thick, warm
cloak. While at the Tea Water Pump Isabel sees a group of captured, rebel soldiers. She is sad to see that Curzon is one of
them.
Chapter 34
Madame orders a dinner to celebrate the British capture of Fort Washington. Madame prepares herself for the party by
putting on white make-up and false eyebrows made of mouse fur. During dinner, the soldiers discuss the thousands of
rebel prisoners and the poor conditions of the prisons. Lady Seymour states that the prisoners should be treated well.
Isabel worries that the British will let the soldiers starve to death or freeze.
Chapter 35
Three days later, Madame and Lady Seymour went visiting and the soldiers’ wives ran off to see friends. Isabel filled the
water buckets with scraps of food and went to the prison where Curzon is held. She asks the guard to see her “brother”,
Curzon. The guard let her in, but kept the bucket of food for inspection. She finds Curzon, but he is not well – he has a
wound in his leg and a bad cough. Finally, Isabel is given back the food bucket, but half is gone. All the men in the cell
share the remaining food. She wants Curzon to keep her cloak, but he refuses saying it would be “borrowed” (stolen) as
soon as he fell asleep. She leaves him newspaper to use as a bed.
Chapter 36
Lady Seymour has a fever. The doctor comes and bleeds her. Madame wants to send Lady Seymour to South Carolina,
but the doctor says she would be dead by Philadelphia. Isabelle must tend to Lady Seymour while she is ill. Isabel reads
Lady Seymour’s paper while Lady Seymour sleeps. Isabel is upset by the rebels' defeats. Two days later she again sneaks
to the prison, and takes more food scraps. She places mince pie on the top, knowing the guard will take it. Curzon is worse
– his wound on his leg is hot, but there is no pus. The men again share the food. Isabel returns to the prison a few days
later, again bringing food. Curzon is still not well.
Lady Seymour calls to Isabel to run some errands for her. She knows about Isabel’s visits to the prison, and warns Isabel
to be careful. Madame will be very angry if she finds out.
She enters a bookstore to purchase the books Lady Seymour wants. She stares at all the books while waiting for the clerk
to wait on her. She sees a book of poems by Miss Wheatley, a former slave. She opens the book to see if she is able to
read poems. The clerk notices she is reading the book. He calls to her, and she gives him the list. The clerk has seen her
feeding the prisoners, but she denies that it was her. He gives her a thin book, telling her not to let her Mistress see it. She
tells him she cannot read, but he insists that she takes it. She finally takes the book and leaves the shop.
Chapter 37
Lady Seymour is well again, so Isabelle returns to her regular chores. Two of the wives are arguing over who will go to
the Tea Water Pump for water. Isabel volunteers to go fetch the water, so she can go to the prison to visit Curzon.
The next morning, she again fetches water and stops at the prison. There are new regulations, and she is not allowed
inside the prison. She must pass the food in through the window of Curzon’s cell. The nasty man, Dibdin, demands the
food, but Isabel wants to see Curzon first. Curzon is very ill – he can barely stand, his eyes are half closed and he is
shivering. She demands that they give him his hat and blanket back, and tells them she will not bring them anymore food
Curzon dies. Dibdin wants Isabel to take a message to Captain Morse. She agrees because he promises that Curzon will
then be seen by a doctor. She reminds him that if Curzon dies, he will not see her again. She passes the message to
Captain Morse, who promises a doctor will tend to Curzon.
Isabel continues to visit Curzon and bring the prisoners food. She is very afraid that Madame will find out and what
Madame will do to her. Yet, she continues to visit to save Curzon’s life.
The book the clerk gave her is Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. It is a difficult book, and she read it four times before
she understood it.
Chapter 38
It is the day before Christmas, and while Curzon is still alive, he is now sleeping most of the day. Isabel is given off on
Christmas Day. Lady Seymour gives Isabelle new leather shoes, but Madame gives her nothing.
It is Christmas Day. Madame now knows that Isabel has been visiting the Bridewell prison and is not happy. Lady
Seymour tries to protect Isabel by telling Madame that she had told Isabel to take food to the poor prisoners. Madame
calls Lady Seymour a “blithering idiot,” and forbids Isabel to visit the prison again. Madame tells Isabel she could be
ruined if her slave was seen giving food to the rebel prisoners. Isabel decides that Madame “cannot chain my soul,” but
can only hurt her.
Isabel does not know what to do with her free time. She goes to the kitchen and makes maple syrup bread pudding. She
packages the pudding and sets out for Canvastown. She gives the pudding to a family living in a tent.
Chapter 39
Sarah and Isabel go to the fish market. A fight breaks out, and Isabel and Sarah become separated. Isabel runs into the
rebel Colonel Morse, who wants to talk to her. Isabel is afraid – she cannot be seen talking to a rebel. She agrees to meet
him later at the tavern.
Sarah tells Isabel that Madame has forbidden Isabel from going to the water pump anymore. At midday, Isabel purposely
spills the water, so that more is needed. Sarah agrees to let Isabel go to get the water and she will not tell Madame.
Isabel fetches the buckets, and then hurries to the tavern to meet with Colonel Morse. Captain Morse gives her a loaf of
bread, with a note hidden inside. The note told of a rebel victory of a battle by General Washington’s troops against the
British. She is told to deliver it to the prison. She delivers the bread (note), and hurries to get the water. As Isabel is
getting the water, she hears a loud cheering from the prison.
Chapter 40
There is another victory for General Washington’s troops. Master Lockton prepares to leave for London to deliver the
troubling news of the British soldiers’ defeats. Isabel continues to visit the prison with her buckets of food. Curzon seems
better – he is not coughing. As she leaves the prison, a male voice calls her. It is Guard Fisher from the prison. He asks her
where she has been and tells her to remember him also when she brings food. He also wants to hire her to clean the cells,
telling her to ask her Master if she can be “rented”.
Sarah gives birth to a baby boy and moves to a new house. Lady Seymour’s health changes daily. She tells Isabel that she
wishes she had purchased her from Madame. Isabel is not happy by this comment. She does not like being sold and
bought, even by a kind person.
When alone, Isabel reads Common Sense. She keeps her mending (sewing) basket nearby, in case she needs to quickly
hide the thin book.
Chapter 41
The British are having a ball (dance) to celebrate Queen Charlotte’s birthday. Madame begins preparations to attend the
ball.
Lady Seymour has another seizure. The doctor is called, and she is bled again and given tea. She cannot speak and she
cannot move her legs. Lady Seymour is moved from her room upstairs to room downstairs. Isabelle is ordered to clean
and air out the Lady Seymour’s upstairs room.
It has gotten cold, and it snowed. Isabel is thinking of the poet, Phyllis Wheatley and how she was set free because of her
writing. She thought of other slaves, whose owners allowed them to do work for themselves. They saved their money and
bought their freedom. She knew Madame would never allow her to be free.
Chapter 42
Lady Seymour is a prisoner in her own body, as her mind is still sharp. She can barely chew soft bread or swallow broth.
The seamstress and hairdresser have been summoned by Madame to plan her dress and hairstyle for the ball.
Isabel finishes Common Sense- she thought the words were dangerous. Thomas Paine wrote that all people were the same,
and no one deserved a crown or was born to be higher than another. She thought that if a nation could seek freedom, why
not a girl like her?
The next morning, after stopping at the prison, she went to the tavern. Captain Morris called to her. He wanted Isabel to
deliver a penny to Captain Farrat for a bet he lost. She agreed to do it. Captain Farrat gave her a note to deliver back to
Captain Morris. It was late, and she did not want to get in trouble, so she went back to the Lockton’s – she would deliver
the note tomorrow. However, Madame was waiting for her and was very angry. When she saw Isabel, she hit her across
the face and shoulder with a riding whip.
Chapter 43
Madame’s friend, Mrs. Jane Drinkwater saw her talking to Captain Farrat and saw him give her the note. Madame
demanded that Isabel give her the note, but Isabel ran to the fire and threw it in to burn. She thought of all the things she
wanted to do to Madame – choke her, brain her, throw her in the fire or beat her senseless. Madame was screaming that
she would kill her and her sister Ruth. Isabel discovers that Ruth is at the Lockton’s other house in Charleston. Madame
tells Hannah to lock Isabel in the potato bin.
Isabel is locked in the potato bin. She cannot sit up in the bin, and lying down is uncomfortable as there are potatoes in the
bin. After Madame left the house, Hannah brings Isabel a chamber pot, blanket and water. However, she will not let Isabel
go.
Isabel heard a roar, then realized it came from inside of her. She begins looking for a way out of the bin. She kicks the bin,
trying to find weak boards that she can break through. She finds a spot and kicks a hole through the bin, then crawls out.
She decided that she must run away.
Isabel sneaks into Master’s drawing room with all of his papers. She finds a map and a pass. Isabel fills out the pass,
naming herself Isabel Gardner. The pass reads that she is a free Negro.
Chapter 44
Isabel hides the map between the lining of her cloak, then loads a basket with cheese, bread and dried beef. She also takes
her lead pieces from the destroyed King’s statue, her seeds and her book, Common Sense.
Isabel then stops in Lady Seymour’s room to build up the fire to keep her warm. She notices the silk retieule (purse). She
takes the coin purse. Isabel feels bad stealing from Lady Seymour, because she had always been kind. However, Isabel
remembers Lady Seymour did not stop the sale of Ruth, and she returned herself back to Madame after the branding.
Isabel notices that Lady Seymour is watching her. Isabel apologizes, gives her water and offers to return the money. Lady
Seymour shakes her head “No.” Lady Seymour speaks one word “Run!”
Isabel leaves the house. Her plan is to steal a rowboat, cross the river to New Jersey, then walk to Charleston to rescue
Ruth. First, she goes to the prison, as she had a debt to repay to Curzon, her friend. She decides she will take him with her.
Guard Fisher is on duty at the prison. She tells him that Colonel Hawkins sent her to clean the cells. She uses a
wheelbarrow to empty overflowing chamber pots into and takes a blanket that is covering a corpse. After emptying the
wheelbarrow outside of the prison, she comes back in and goes to Curzon’s cell. He is lying on the floor and is burning
with fever. She whispers to him, “SSHHH”, and then announces loudly, “He’s dead.” She drags him to the wheelbarrow,
then grabs his hat and a lantern. She covers him with the blanket and leaves the prison to ‘empty’ the wheelbarrow, and
does not return.
Chapter 45
Isabel pushes the wheelbarrow as close to the wharf as she can. Then, she makes Curzon get out of the wheelbarrow and
walk to the dock. However, he is very weak, and she must support him. Fortunately, as they struggle to get to the dock,
fireworks begin exploding in the sky in honor of the Queen. The guards are distracted as they watch the fireworks. Curzon
and Isabel finally reach a rowboat and they climb in. Isabel rows and rows as fast as she can. Her hands blister and bleed,
but she keeps rowing. As she is rowing, she sees faces of many people in the fog and feels their warm presence. Finally,
she can go no further and she falls asleep.
Isabel awakens with a start and discovers the rowboat is stuck in a tangle of bushes, covered in ice. She and Curzon have
reached the New Jersey shore. She asks Curzon if he was still alive, and he answered that he was. Isabel tells him, “I think
we have just crossed the river Jordan”. They begin walking.