My Vicksburg by Ann Rinaldi Read Free Book Online Page A

asking him to find Dr. Corbet. Landon was reading the soiled and wrinkled envelope, not looking at me.
    "What do you mean 'not the cellar'?"
    "I'm afraid of the cellar."
    He sighed, stuffed the envelope back in his coat pocket, and gave me his full attention. "You mean you still haven't gotten over that nonsense?"
    I blushed. "No."
    "Well, maybe a day and a night down there would cure you of it then."
    I bit my bottom lip. "Please, Landon."
    He took pity on me. His voice went kind. "Look, I'll go with you. We'll stay until the shelling stops. I'll have Clothilda bring us some food, and I promise I won't leave you. How's that?"
    I said all right. Hesitantly. I followed him down, trying to ignore the shadows and the dark corners that had so terrorized my childhood. As soon as we had found some old blankets and settled on the floor, Landon opened and reread the letter.
    Shells burst outside, Porter's shells from the river.
    "I've been reassigned," Landon said. "To the division hospital at Milliken's Bend, close by. Grant wants to make it a hospital for the slightly injured who can be made well quickly so they can go back into the field as replacements. The Sanitary Commission has brought three boats of supplies and doctors and nurses down the river to get started. I report by the beginning of July."
    He looked at me. "At least I won't be far from home. I can still keep an eye on you," he teased, but I sensed there was some sadness in his demeanor. And then I thought of something.
    "What of Robert?" I said.
    He shrugged, and looked terrible sad. "I have to figure out what to do with him before then," he said quietly. "Just make up my mind and do it."
    "Landon, I don't understand. Isn't it Robert's place to decide what to do? I mean, is he your prisoner or something?"
    "You're too wise for your age, you know that?"
    I pouted. The shells were exploding overhead regularly now. One was especially loud and close and I ducked, instinctively. Just then Andy came down the steps and sought Landon out.
    "Mister Landon. Suh?"
    "Yes, Andy, over here."
    He had two pillows and two blankets in one arm and a basket of fried chicken and biscuits in the other. "Clothilda, she say you all shud eat, then catch some shut-eye if 'n you can wif those shells screamin' out there. They won't stop till noon."
    "Thank you, Andy." Landon took the pillows and blankets and threw one of each at me. "Clothilda's orders," he said. "Here, take some food. And then get some sleep."
    "Mister Landon, suh?" Andy was still standing there, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "I gots a favor to axe you."
    "Have at it, Andy."
    "Well, the other day when I wuz washin' Mr. Robert he wuz tellin' me how he wants to go home. Only he gots no money to travel. I wuz thinkin', suh, if'n it be okay wif you an' your mama, if'n I hire myself out to dig a cave. There's a gentleman I know who will pay up to fifty dollars to get himself a cave dug proper like. I could do it in
my spare time and give the money to Robert, suh. If'n it be okay wif you."
    Landon was silent for a moment, taking it in. "Confederate money?" he asked. "Or Yankee dollars?"
    "Why, Confederate, I 'spect," Andy told him.
    Landon sighed. "Confederate paper is sixty cents to the Yankee dollar, but it's still sound," Landon said. "If you're willing to do it, Andy, go right ahead. I'll clear it with my mother. Now I have a favor to ask you."
    "Yessuh."
    "I'm dying for a cup of coffee, Andy."
    "Bring it right quick, suh."
    "Me, too?" I begged. "Please, Landon, Ma lets me have it."
    He said all right and Andy went back upstairs to fetch it.
    That coffee was wonderful, hot and sweet, and I must admit that the fried chicken and biscuits tasted like angel food. We ate in pleasant comradeship. Then I settled myself under my blanket and closed my eyes.
    "You still awake?" Landon asked.
    "Yes."
    "You hear that from Andy? It means Robert is planning on going home."
    "Well, what else did you think he was planning