Chapter 31
I wonder who“they”are,but Fred immediately jumps up and runs to our supplies.As two burly men with shotguns aimed at Anna enter the house,Fred shoots one in the chest.The other turns to look,and Fred shoots him in the head.Out of ammunition,he turns to see Jonah pulling a pistol on him.Fred runs over and bashes Jonah on the bridge of his nose with the butt of his rifle.Jonah falls to the ground,roaring in pain.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t shoot you,too,”Fred says,reloading,and pointing his rifle at Ed,who hasn’t even pulled his weapon.
“It…it’s all a big misunderstanding,”Jonah says thickly,blood flowing.
“Pa,why did you have Ed send for slave catchers?I thought you said—”
“There are things you don’t understand,Lucas,”Jonah says.
Fred motions with his rifle for Ed to join Jonah in the corner near the fireplace.
“I should kill you both!”he roars.
At the first shot I had dived under the table,screaming.Now I stand.Anna is still sitting at the table,her mouth hanging open in shock.