“Why are there so many candles?” Kate asked Mrs. Hanby. The older woman hesitated before picking up her cup of tea from the side table. “They are a guide to fugitives from across the river.” She took a sip, watching Kate. Mrs. Hanby had told her about the mission to rescue the slave woman. It did not seem quite real, watching these lights appear that would show John and Ben—or Mrs. Hanby—the way back to Ripley from a dangerous errand. And it was illegal. The thought made Kate twitch, even though she agreed in principle with the abolition of slavery. Aiding fugitives was one thing as a topic for Otterbein oratory, but quite another matter when John Parker was cleaning his pistols on the kitchen table of his home while his wife wiped off the dinner plates. John came back into the parlor, where Kate stood looking out over the water. “I’m afraid we can wait no longer for Ben,” John said. “It may be for the best. His ankle has not completely healed.” Mrs. Hanby set her tea aside and stood up.
