Charlie thought Papa seemed worried. He went to the cabin door again and again, looking out. “Lion keeps watch outside now,” Charlie told him. “He’ll bark if anyone comes.” But even with Lion as a watchdog, no one slept much. Charlie heard Momma and Papa talking late into the night. “James, I fear for your life if you stay here at Spring Creek,” Momma said softly. “If the border ruffians find you here, you’ll be outnumbered.” Papa’s voice was low and fierce. “Things are bad. It looks as if there will be fighting all summer. It’s not only the proslavery men causing trouble now. A free-state man named John Brown has killed five of his proslavery neighbors.” “Then you must help protect Lawrence and help the free-state men,” Momma whispered back. “And maybe you can try to arrange safe passage to Canada for Lizzie. We must not let her master find her.” Momma took a breath. “Don’t worry about us. We will make do.” And they had. Each morning they got up at five.
