New York - The Novel

alley, over a wall, down another alleyway, and he’d lost them.
    He was halfway along Ferry Street now, hoping he was safe, when he heard the footsteps hurrying behind him, and turned to see the two watchmen.
    For a moment, he wondered what to do. Should he run? He might get away, but if he didn’t, then running would confirm his guilt. Could they even be sure, in the darkness, that he was the black man they’d seen in the other street? Probably not. But they mightn’t care about that. He hesitated, and was on the point of fleeing again, when he saw that another man was now coming toward him, from the other end of the street. Quite a big, fit-looking man, carrying a silver-topped stick. If he fled, and the watchmen gave chase, the man with the stick would probably catch him. There was nothing to do but stand his ground, with what dignity he could.
    The two watchmen reached him. Although he wasn’t moving, one of them grabbed him by the collar.
    “Gotcha.” The fellow shook him. “We saw you.”
    “Saw what?”
    “Back in Vesey Street. Startin’ a fire.”
    “A what? I wasn’t in Vesey Street.”
    “Don’t answer back, nigger. You’re goin’ to jail.”
    The man with the stick had reached them now.
    “What’s this?” he asked.
    “We saw this nigger boy tryin’ to burn down a house in Vesey Street,” said one of the watchmen. “Right, Herman?”
    “Could be,” the other man answered. But Hudson noticed that he looked a little doubtful.
    “Not me, it wasn’t,” Hudson protested. “I wasn’t even in that part of town.”
    “And when was this?” asked the stranger.
    “Maybe ten minutes ago, wasn’t it, Jack?” said Herman.
    “The nigger belongs in jail,” said Jack.
    “Not this one,” said the stranger, coolly. “Because until I sent him onan errand five minutes ago, he was with me.” He looked Hudson straight in the eye, then turned back to the watchmen. “My name’s John Master. Dirk Master’s my father. And this slave boy belongs to me.”
    “He does?” Jack looked suspicious. But Herman was ready to capitulate.
    “That’d explain it,” he said. “I thought he looked different.”
    “Goddammit,” said Jack.
    The stranger waited until the two watchmen had turned the corner before he spoke.
    “You didn’t light a fire, did you?”
    “No, sir,” said Hudson.
    “Because if you did, I’m in trouble. Who do you belong to?”
    “Nobody, sir. I’m free.”
    “That so? Where do you live?”
    “My grandfather had a tavern near the waterfront, but he died. He was called Hudson.”
    “I know it. I’ve drunk there.”
    “I don’t remember you, sir.”
    “Only went there once or twice. But I’ve been in all the taverns. Been drunk in most of them. What’s your name?”
    “I’m called Hudson too, sir.”
    “Hmm. So where d’you live now?”
    “Nowhere at present. I was at sea.”
    “Hmm.” His rescuer considered him. “Jumped ship?”
    Hudson was silent.
    “There was a drunken captain down by the docks today, hollering for a Negro boy that jumped ship. Can’t say I liked the look of him. Drunk on board, too, I should guess.”
    Hudson considered. The stranger, for whatever reason, seemed to be on his side.
    “He nearly lost the ship twice, sir,” he confessed.
    “Well, you’d better stick with me for the moment,” said John Master. “You can act as my slave until something better turns up.”
    “I’m free, sir,” Hudson reminded him.
    “You want to come with me or not?” asked his benefactor.
    And seeing that he had nowhere else to go, Hudson accepted the offer. At least he’d be safe for a while.
    Mercy Brewster was rather surprised when John arrived with a new slave. It only took a few moments for him to explain what had happened, after which Hudson was sent down to the kitchen.
    “My guess is he’s telling the truth,” John said when Hudson was out of earshot. “If not, I’ve made a horrible mistake.” He smiled. “I’m afraid I lied, Mercy. You won’t approve of that.”
    “But you lied to save him from being wrongly arrested. You may even have saved his life.”
    “I suppose so. I couldn’t leave the poor fellow like that.”
    “No,” she said quietly. “I see you couldn’t.”
    “Hope you don’t mind me bringing him here.”
    “Oh no,” she said, a little breathlessly, “I don’t mind at all.” She looked at him for a long moment, and decided. Yes, he was kind. He could not have done such a thing, if he were not