Anthony Renwick McGill - Abes Story

W e know youre out there, Mister Seckert, rasped Svensen, the baker. Youve stolen your last bread from me.

Then I froze as I heard them: dogs. I snatched up my bundle and ran for my life. Jumping over the low wall, I tried to keep out of sight for as long as possible, hoping that Svensen and his son Jack would not release the leashes. I charged across the uneven terrain, with prickly bushes tearing my skin and blood dripping from cuts and scratches, air ripping into my lungs and fear clawing at my bowels. I was heading for water. It was my only chance of throwing off the scent. I stumbled, almost twisting my ankle.

The cries of my pursuers, and the excited yelps of their hounds, were closing in on me. I burst through a clump of trees for my first glimpse of the river, my saviour, and in a moment felt the water wash around the calves of my legs. I looked back. There was still no sign of Svensen and his brutish son. I staggered upstream for thirty yards before diving for a clump of reeds on the far side of the river. Down I went, only my mouth and nostrils above water, and just in time. The baker and his son slipped the dogs leashes. There were four of them, and they were frantically sniffing up and down the banks, sometimes close, but not close enough to sight me.

Were gone catch you, Seckert. Then the dogs will rip you apart and feed on your bones, yelled Jack venomously.

Terrified and shivering, I dared not move lest I betray my position. The search went on for twenty endless minutes before the baker and his son called off the dogs and headed downstream to continue the pursuit. I did not move a muscle for a further half hour and then it was to move in the direction opposite to that taken by the Svensens. Finally, I collapsed in a heap under the bushes and fell into a deep sleep.

Much later, layers of tired slumber were penetrated by an aroma that teased and beckoned me. Eyelids still gummy with weariness, I rose from my grassy bed with my senses filled by the scent of cooking, and I homed in on the source. My instincts sharpened by a feral existence, I snaked my way towards the campfire, all the while mindful of predatory dangers. Roasting rabbit had coaxed me out of the shadows, and as my right arm extended towards the food, a powerful hand grabbed the back of my neck. I was hoisted from the ground, arms and legs flailing wildly. Lifted higher still, I faced the brightest pair of blue eyes that I have ever seen.

Easy, boy, soothed the deep voice, easy.

My limbs relaxed until I was sat down on the ground on the other side of the fire, whereupon I turned to flee.

Theres no need to run, lad.

The combination of those eyes and that inviting tone held me, and I settled into a squatting position.

Join me for supper, the deep voice continued.

In grateful response, my hand moved automatically towards the food, but was then firmly stayed.

First, young man, there is a question of introductions What is your name?

Abe, I croaked.

He tilted his ear towards me.

Abe, I tried again.

The long neck craned towards me, the bright eyes never leaving mine.

Abe Seckert, I advanced.

A-aah, yes, he nodded. And do you know who I am?

I nodded.

Di I began to blurt out the nickname Ding-Dong that the children of Sioux Falls had for him.

Yes, he interrupted, I am Reverend Eli Bell.

My hand edged again towards the roasting rabbit.

Before we take food, let us lower our heads and thank the Lord for that which He has provided this night

I bowed my head in acquiescence.

Lord, we thank You for Your gift of this food that we have before us. May You look after the wants of the poor; may Your peace rest upon us

He gestured to me.

You may help yourself, Abe.

Even before the first morsel of the food he shared slid down my throat that night, I seemed to know that I loved that man and that it would be my privilege to do so until death would separate us. As we ate, he drew from me a brief history of my eight and three quarter years, concentrating on the sixteen or so months since my parents and little sister had been carried off by cholera. After food, the Reverend tossed a blanket to me and nodded. No words were necessary. I covered myself and curled up in a blissful sleep.

A hand, gentle but insistent, on my upper arm awakened me from my mothers embrace and guided me to a breakfast of beans and coffee. First, however, came the obligatory wash. I scrubbed my hands and splashed my face. The preacher stripped to the waist and washed himself thoroughly before proceeding to shave with the aid of a cutthroat razor and a tiny mirror. Naturally, there was Grace before the consumption of any food. After our meal, we struck camp and Reverend Bell picked me up and plonked me on the back of his pack mule. He swung up into his saddle, took me in tow and started off in a direction that made me jump.

Wh-where are we going? I squeaked.

Sioux Falls, he replied.

But, but, Svensens dogs I gasped.

What about Mister Svensens dogs?

They have my scent

I blurted out my account of the events of the previous evening and he listened closely, nodding at the details as they spilled from my mouth.