I opened my mouth to speak but no words were coming out. So I cleared my throat noisily to hide my embarrassment. Just then, I saw Boris giving me a middle finger, so I decided to be bold, thanking my stars that Katty already tutored me on the issue.
“We move down south via the coast,” I began slowly, “when we arrive in Georgia, we move by the coast also, making our way through Savana. From there, we walk down to Jacksonvile in Florida, we can move into Orlando or pass it, depending on time.”
I concluded my speech and took my seat. The same young man stood up again and threw another question.
“Nicely planned and mapped out,” he began. “My next question is, when we get to Florida, how do we cross over? Because there, we are likely to get trapped by the sea on the west, south, east and the Americans on the north.”
He sat down immediately after asking his question.
“I think Mr Smith is in a better place to answer that question,” Boris shot in before any eye could rest on me for answers.
And for the first time since the commencement of the meeting, I felt very comfortable. Mr Smith just smiled and stood up to address the gathering.
“Let’s march down to Miami, the Americans have taken the Western and Northern rout. Our only chance is to get to Miami as fast as possible and evacuate the women and children and then,” he paused to inhale and exhale before dropping the bomb shell, “battle the Americans there in Miami once and for all.”
“That’s serious, they’ve chased us enough. Let’s face them once and for all,” a lanky but strong man cried out.
“Rightly said,” another complimented.
Everyone was supportive of the idea. We soon rounded up the meeting and in no time, the camp was broken up.
The next morning caught us moving down south with remarkable momentum out of Georgia. After some days we arrived in Savana. The next day, we resumed mobility with a renewed spirit, our aim was to get to Miami in time. Heavily armed to the teeth (all thanks to the captured weapons and ammunition) we moved down south and finally after what seemed like an eternity, we arrived in Jacksonsonvile of Florida.
We moved down further southwards and arrived in Orlando. Here, Boris and his men laid ambush for the Americans while the rest of us advanced further. We finally got to Miami, it was indeed a nice temperate zone. Luckily for us, the captured ships and some Merchant ships were already at the harbour the day before we arrived in Miami.
Without further ado, the women and children began boarding. It was a painful moment, but we all had no choice. I moved closer to Katty who was already crying alongside Doris.
“Katty, it’s gonna be over soon, please stop crying,” I tried to console her.
“But Morris, you promised me that you wouldn’t venture far away from me, didn’t you?” Katty asked amid sobs.
“Yeah, I did but right now we have no choice,”
I was covered with guilt, guilt of making and breaking a promise. But right now I had no choice, we had to fight to defend ourselves, our wives and children or get killed. After persuading and consoling her, I planted a soft kiss on her forehead, released and pushed her gently towards the ship.
I watched her board the ship and soon the ship began its sail down the Carribean Sea.
I stood rooted on the spot watching Katty waving at me, I waved back. I couldn’t control myself any longer, I didn’t know when emotions got the better part of me and I burst out crying.
Why was I crying? I was already at the edge of the Caribbean Sea, about to sail home to Africa. But was that possible? Would it be possible for me to go back and see my beloved continent, Africa, my birth place? The only place those damned slave merchants saw fit for their bloody business?
The scene during our time when we were captured and finally set sail across the ocean came back to my memories. The ship was about to capsize and crews were screaming and shouting while the ship rocked aimlessly at the mercy of the prevailing storms of the Atlantic ocean.
I had watched as the future hopes of Mother Africa were thrown into the deep blue sea, all bound hands and feet. More than fifty young Africans were thrown overboard, mostly boys and men.
Any time I recalled that scene I always cried. More than thousands of Africans perished at sea for no cause after being sold to the Americans. The Americans increased their sorrows by molesting and maltreating them like cows. And when they said they wanted to be free and be on their own, the Americans still chased them to kill or bring them back to slavery.
No, that will never happen. I’d rather die than to let them capture me back to slavery. I’d rather die fighting for my freedom than to die miserably as a slave.
With the new rage burning inside me, I turned and stormed towards my tent. Once in, I picked up my weapons and ran off to the muster point. By the time I arrived everyone was already gathered, waiting for Mr Smith’s arrival. We were all armed to the teeth and soon began chanting war songs.
Mr Smith soon arrived, heavily armed also.
“Greetings to you all, who are about to die today on your quest for freedom. Today might be the last we might see each other, because war is knocking. The women and children on the sea are not safe, while the men on the battlefield are also not safe. But in all, we will never let fear drive away our dream of gaining freedom. Don’t let fear grip you, let’s fight bravely for survival and freedom. It is better to die fighting for your freedom than to die miserably as a slave. Let’s go to war!”
It was then that I knew the blood bath had begun.
We were still at the muster point when two messengers arrived, alerting us that the Americans troops chasing us had been ambushed and were outnumbered. Our help was urgently needed. Without further ado, Mr Smith divided the troops into three and we advanced towards the battle field at Tampa and Orlando.
After days of marching, we spent a whole day for resting when we got closer to the battle site so as to replenish our lost energy for the battle. The intensity of war cries was at its apex. We joined the battle and the Americans intensified their military skills. But the slaves, being determined, countered them back gallantly.
A great blood shed ensued, canons blasting, guns roaring, arrows flying, spears thrown, catapults flying its stones, swords cutting, fists punching, bones cracking and breaking, flesh tearing and being pierced, swords cutting through it. The wailings of the victims echoing and shaking the earth. The fallen littering around like dried leaves, and the earth painted red with blood.
The scene soon made me hunger for more blood and I soon found myself slaughtering without mercy. I soon came across Boris, all stained with blood and fighting fiercely like an angry lion.
“Watch your back!” He shouted at me.
At once, I turned around and caught my opponent in time by the arm, he was raising his sword to strike me. I sent him to the ground and Boris wasted no time as he beheaded him.
Suddenly, a trumpet sound from our side called, indicating that we should fall back. This meant that the Americans were gaining the upper hand. At once, we all took to our heels, retreating down south towards Miami.
I was sure by now our ship might have arrived and we’d just board and cross over the Carribean Sea to a nearby Island, and from there board home to Africa.
We took a quick and short route while retreating, thinking we were outsmarting the Americans, not knowing that we were retreating into a trap. We soon arrived in Miami after some days, our troop was slow on the way as a result of our injured comrades and fatigue.
In Miami we were surrounded both on land and on the sea by the Americans.
We were given only two choices, either we surrender and go back into slavery or we get killed. We were given two days to think and make decisions. During this period, Mr Smith tried all he could to negotiate but it wasn’t successful. On the third day we joined battle.
We battled them from dawn till dusk. They were releasing all their war powers on us. Good thing that we already sent off the women and children, we fought back fiercely with tooth and nail.
Deep down within me, I was sad that I might never live to see my beloved Katty again. I cried while fighting, I cried but there was no going back. I soon ran into Duke who was already wounded mortally, he was groaning and gasping for air. I drew him up and tried taking him out of the battle field, but it was impossible as the Americans maintained their constant shooting of Cannon balls.
Finally, before my very eyes, Duke gave up the ghost. Before closing his eyes he gave me his last message.
“Morris, sorry I can’t go back with you. Please take care of my sister and tell her I did my best.”
I looked up and saw men dying and yet still fighting, never giving up on the battle for freedom. I dropped Duke's head gently and went into battle.
We fought tirelessly till the next day when some troops from Northern States came to our aid Beforehand, they’d been advocating for the Southern States to free the slaves.The battle finally came to an end after the Southern troops withdrew. The Northern state then waged war against the Southern states and a civil war sparked out.
We assisted the Northern states and finally the Southern states were defeated and the war came to an end.
During our campaign, Mr Smith and Boris fell. What would I tell Doris? Losing both her brother and fiancé? What would I tell my mother? That her son died in battle while fighting for the independence of the slaves in America?
I wept bitterly at the end of the war.
War, a destroyer of families, and agent of death! We soon boarded a ship and sent sail to the Island where the women and children were kept away for safety. From there, we’d see what fate had in store for us.
*****
As I stood by the shore of the Island Havana, looking at the dark blue sea, the memories of the past three years still lingered with me. It was great being free, most of the slaves moved out of Havana to other Islands to settle down and start a new beginning. The remains of Boris, Duke and Mr Smith were buried in Havana.
Doris gave birth to twin babies, a boy and a girl, shortly after the death of Boris and his legacy lived on. Doris refused to get married again, she remained a widow till the day she died. Mr Smith’s son, Leo, later went back to Virginia to take over his father’s estate. Katty and I finally got married and she gave birth to a baby boy who I named Agufia in memory of my late brother. Duke’s fiancé gave birth to a boy, she named him Smith.
After spending five years in Havana, we finally boarded a ship and sailed down south to a little Island that would someday be known as Jamaica to settle down and start life anew. We finally did achieve our dream of being free. Even though I never got to see mother Africa again, it was great to be free and live a happy life.