Sample Chapter
"Fair Wind of Liberty"
Chapter 1
Leonidas
It was an hour before sunrise but the air was already warm and heavy—signaling another day of the September heat wave. In the southwestern sky the gibbous moon hovered lazily, its pale light lost in the sleepy Connecticut landscape. On the Thames River there was no activity, save for a tiny boat gliding noiselessly over the black water, the occasional creaking of the oars and the slight lapping of the incoming tide muffled by the dense darkness of the predawn morning.
In the stern of the boat, nestled against the gunwale, sat eight-year-old Abby Cutler. Struggling to stay awake, she opened her eyes wide for a moment, but the warm air and gentle rocking of the boat defeated her. As she drifted off, her hand slipped from the tiller, causing the little boat to jerk to the right.
“Keep your hands on the rudder,” said Leonidas softly.
Abby shook her head and opened her eyes, then reached out and grabbed the wooden tiller with one hand and pulled herself upright. She took a deep breath and sighed.
“That’s a powerful sigh,” said Leonidas. “You’ll surely scare the fish away with that kind of attitude.”
Abby knew he was teasing, but she was too tired to smile. She almost regretted her decision to help Leonidas with his fishing nets, but she knew he would be disappointed if she said anything.
“I’m awake,” she said. “It’s just so early—I’m usually still in bed at this hour.”
“You gotta fish when the fish is there to be caught,” said Leonidas. In the dark it was almost impossible to see his large black face, but the sound of his voice was soothing.
“The tide is coming in, and that means the bait fish run up the river. Then the bigger fish—the ones we want—come in behind. The big fish chase the little fish, hoping to get some breakfast, and we catch the big ones. It’s all a part of nature.”
Abby smiled. Most adults treated her like a little girl, but Leonidas was different. He always took the time to explain things, and he had a way of talking that made it easy for her to understand.
“What kind of fish do you think we’ll find?” she asked.
“Bluefish and mackerel for sure. Salmon if we’re lucky.”
“I love salmon,” Abby replied. “My Mama bakes it in the bread oven till it’s so tender that you can eat it bones and all.”
“Your mama is the best cook in these parts—besides my ’Lizabeth, that is.”
At the mention of Elizabeth, Abby smiled. Leonidas worked on the eastern shore, chopping wood, building cabinets and coffins, and fishing the river. He didn’t get to see his wife much. She and their three sons were slaves, owned by a shipbuilder in New London.
“It must be hard not seeing your family much,” Abby said. “When my Papa was off fighting the British, I missed him so.”
“I’ll see ’em plenty when they’re free,” said Leonidas. “Almost got enough now to buy my oldest boy. With Jacob, I can earn a lot more money—and I won’t need to ask you to give up your sleep to help me fish.”
Abby couldn’t imagine what life was like for a slave. Most of the people in Groton didn’t own slaves, and the few blacks she knew personally were free men, like Leonidas. She wasn’t sure she understood slavery, but she knew that she was helping Leonidas, and that made her feel good.
In the eastern sky faint traces of light began to appear. Leonidas pulled the oars into the boat and dropped the small anchor over the side.
“Hold the tiller steady,” he said to Abby. “I got to get the net out just right to catch the incoming tide.”
Abby kept the nose of the vessel pointed south towards the mouth of the river as she watched the powerful black man pulling the net out of the bottom of the boat and feeding it over the side.
In the distance she saw something that startled her.
“Oh, my,” she said suddenly. “Look at that!”
Leonidas cocked his head to one side. At first he couldn’t see anything but as his eyes adjusted, the horizon was suddenly filled with the outline of dozens of ships.
“It’s the British fleet,” he said. “Must be twenty or thirty warships!”
“What does that mean?” Abby asked anxiously.
“It means we’re being invaded!” said Leonidas.
Original Artwork
Fair Wind of Liberty is illustrated by Miranda Norris. Each chapter comes with its own drawing, and the story has its own distinctive logo. In addition, Miranda provides hand-drawn maps and illustrations for the teacher's guides.
Teacher's Guide
Chapter 1: Leonidas
Before You Read:
This story is set during the Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783). What do you know about the war? Brainstorm for a few minutes and come up with a list of things you know about the war. Then work with a friend and compare your lists.
New Words or Terms:
Gibbous moon – the phase of the moon either just before or just after it is full
Stern – rear portion of a ship or boat
Nestled – snuggly or comfortably settled
Gunwale – the side of a small boat
Tiller – handle that steers the boat (connected to the rudder)
Rudder – a hinged board that steers a boat or ship
Bait fish – smaller fish that are preyed upon by larger fish
Bread oven – brick oven that was a part of a kitchen fireplace
Eastern shore – the Groton or eastern side of the Thames River
Questions:
What is the setting (time and place)? How do you know?
Why is Abby out fishing with Leonidas?
Why doesn’t Leonidas live with his family?
What is the meaning of the British ships in the mouth of the river?
Connect to the story:
Abby is helping a friend in this chapter. Do you have jobs at home that you have to do? Do you get paid for them?
Historical Notes:
“when my Papa was away fighting the British…” The story is set in 1781—the sixth year of the American Revolution. Abby’s father was a captain in the Continental Army and had been away from home for many years.
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Last Updated on 06/20/08