The Arrow of Freedom
The daily lives of John Brown and Owen Brown, currently active in the North, had not changed much. John Brown continued to travel the country, preaching the necessity of liberating Black people and spending his time smashing the skulls of vicious slaveholders and slavery apologists. However, since his visit to the South, one principle of his actions had shifted. He would continue to push his convictions as he had before, but he had begun to acknowledge the clear possibility that a bloody war could erupt between the North and the South.
“Father, it’s become clear that the anger in the North is soaring even higher since the Dred Scott decision.”
“I know. If just a few more incidents occur, the South might truly try to break away from the North.”
If the North and the South truly engaged in total war, that day would be the day the hollow sandcastle built by the Dixies would crumble.
“But for that day to come, we need a larger wave. A massive wave that can strike the South with shock and stir the North with disgust.”
“But wouldn’t it be too dangerous for us to carry out such a feat alone?”
“How can you do this work if you fear danger? Owen, you need to be bolder.”
It was right around that time, while John Brown was searching for a catalyst to deepen the tense confrontation between the South and the North, that the message sent by James arrived.
Cedar Grove. A mid-sized plantation located in Natchez, the cotton capital where the wealthy elite of Mississippi were concentrated. It was a place where none other than a U.S. Senator managed the assets, and James Sett, the current talk of the town in the South, had begun to improve its management. There was no need to explain how much of a stir could be caused by targeting this place. Moreover, the overseer, Duncan Skinner, was a bastard of such legendary proportions that even John Brown had rarely seen his like.
“I don’t know about anything else, but I have to praise Sett’s resourcefulness. To think he managed to find such a son of a bitch.”
“Mr. Sett suggested we cooperate for this particular matter. In fact, if we receive his help, we can deliver immense terror to those wretches without revealing our identity.”
“Certainly... we could easily accomplish what we couldn’t do alone.”
If a wealthy man of Sett’s stature helped, they could move to Natchez without catching anyone’s eye. Furthermore, since it would be possible to effectively neutralize the plantation’s security, they could dispose of that legendary bastard without anyone ever finding out.
“If we can take out the overseer of a plantation connected to a U.S. Senator and James Sett, and expose the rot within, wouldn’t that provide the massive shock you desire across the entire Union, Father?”
“It might not be enough to ignite the spark, but it will certainly be enough to throw logs on the fire so the current atmosphere doesn’t cool down. It’s certainly not a bad proposal. However, I must set one condition.”
He didn’t know what Sett wanted, but surely, he wouldn’t have requested cooperation if it didn’t help him. Therefore, he had to present a condition that ensured a clear benefit for their side as well.
“If there are Black people on that plantation who wish to be freely released, we will take as many as we can. If you allow that, I will gladly offer a prayer for that human trash.”
“I will send the reply immediately.”
Fortunately, James confirmed without a moment’s hesitation that they could take as many slaves as they wanted, provided it was done in a way that wouldn’t be detected.
“I never thought I’d return in this manner... but in a way, this must be His guidance.”
Tremble, you Dixies. Mississippi, we have returned.
June 1857. John Brown and Owen Brown entered Natchez once again, carrying the undercover identities provided by James Sett.
“My, you look even better than the last time I saw you.”
“That’s what I should be saying. You look like you have more color in your face than when we last met.”
“You aren’t being sarcastic, saying it’s thanks to living well on the dirty money exploited from slaves, are you?”
“If there were even a hint of shadow on the faces of the slaves on your plantation, I would have criticized you as such, of course. But I heard you’re up to some strange business again. What was it? A marriage promotion office?”
As soon as John Brown entered my plantation as a guest, he inspected how the slaves were living. He was looking for useful ideas he could apply to the Black community he was planning, but honestly, I didn’t know if it would work. Things like this required a new-generation sensibility, and John Brown, regardless of his intellect or character, felt like a rather stubborn old man.
“The response is currently very hot. As you’ve seen while walking around, it’s no exaggeration to say the atmosphere on our plantation is heating up with a rosy glow.”
“No wonder something felt different from when I was here before... It’s a sensibility I can’t understand, but well... if they are all satisfied, I have no choice but to accept it. I suppose they are all in the prime of their youth.”
While John Brown shook his head, I examined the face of his son, Owen, standing next to him. Fortunately, his nose bone, which had been beautifully broken last time, seemed to have found its place again, as the shape didn’t look too strange.
“I was worried it might become a hooked nose, but thankfully it doesn’t look like there’s a problem. If your nose still hurts or feels strange, come to our clinic.”
“I am fine. In fact, I actually hoped this nose wouldn’t heal cleanly. Every time I look in the mirror, I can reflect on my immature and arrogant past.”
Owen looked into my eyes with a gaze so sincere it made me feel awkward, then suddenly stood up, took off his hat, held it to his chest, and bowed.
“Thank you once again. Thanks to you, Mr. Sett, I have stopped merely shouting about human rights with my mouth and have begun to truly consider their position and seek ways to draw a future together. Of course, I am still lacking, but I intend to keep trying without breaking.”
“Oh... I see.”
When someone expresses gratitude so genuinely, it actually makes me feel more awkward. He was such a sound and upright young man that I felt even more guilty for no reason. Owen turned his head from me and offered an apology to Leo and Ben, who were standing behind.
“I truly wanted to apologize to you both as well. Of course, using such insulting language is not something that can be forgiven, so I promise to reflect and repent for the rest of my life, recalling the shameful memory of that day.”
“No... if you think about it, we assaulted you too, so it’s fine to just let it pass as if it never happened.”
“I cannot do that. A wound carved into the flesh heals with time, but a wound carved into the heart lasts a lifetime. I am grateful if you accept my apology, but I will still live with the lesson of that day carved into my heart forever.”
I thought he had the character of the top 3% of the United States before, but perhaps he was now in the stage of awakening into a saint. John Brown watched his son with a satisfied look, nodding repeatedly as if to say, That is indeed my son.
“Come to think of it, that sport you were doing in New York last time. You called it baseball, right? Owen said he wanted to launch a movement to spread it throughout the North.”
“Oh, you want to spread baseball? Is there a special reason?”
“There is, indeed. As you proved, isn’t it a sport where Black people can also stand out? If we spread baseball throughout the United States and Black people perform well, it will be a great help in raising their status.”
“If that’s the case, I welcome it. Leo, Ben. Take Owen with you, show him how you play baseball, and answer any questions he might have.”
If baseball becomes a popular sport across America faster than in the original history, it wouldn’t be bad for me, who would be revered as the father of baseball. No, if things go well, I might be raking in money faster than expected. Owen’s goal of improving Black human rights wouldn’t hinder me, so I should actively support it.
As Leo and Owen left for the baseball field, laughing and chatting, only John Brown and I remained indoors.
“Now that we are alone, let’s speak more directly. What exactly do you want me to do? Should I just clear out Duncan Skinner and disappear with those who want to go to the North?”
“It’s similar. Instead, please make sure everyone knows this is an attack on Cedar Grove, a plantation that abuses slaves.”
“But if I reveal directly that I did it, Southern politicians will go even crazier than they are now, demanding my arrest, won’t they? Wouldn’t that also cause disadvantages for your company, where I have my name listed?”
“Of course, you shouldn’t leave physical evidence that John Brown was directly involved. Circumstantial evidence is enough. For example, leaving behind a fancy symbol or a manifesto.”
The important thing is for Southern planters to perceive that Cedar Grove has become a target for radical abolitionists from the North. If someone were to lead such an elusive organization, John Brown would undoubtedly be mentioned as a strong candidate, but without evidence, how could they catch him?
“I understand. You mean to leave only the feeling that John Brown was involved and disappear. And one more thing. The records of Duncan Skinner’s deeds you investigated—they are all facts beyond doubt, right?”
“Of course. Didn’t I suggest this in the first place? The punishment of that man should not be carried out by me or Mr. Brown. It must be left to the slaves of Cedar Grove.”
“Yes. Even if you had asked me to kill that trash in the first place, I wouldn’t have granted your request, even if he were a man who deserved to die. No matter how radically I pursue the liberation movement, I am not a contract killer.”
Since there are many who misunderstand my intentions—Leo included—let me clarify: I am absolutely not asking for Duncan Skinner’s head to be chopped off. I am merely asking for him to disappear from that spot before he can harm more people. I even added a request that the punishment be carried out as the slaves, who have suffered as victims for years, desire. You say there’s no other answer but the death penalty? If that happens, it just means Duncan’s karma was that deep, so I can’t help it. Who told him to pile up such grudges?
“Then, I will assume our intentions are aligned and execute the plan. There won’t be any problems, right?”
“Yes. When should we move?”
“Three days from now, after I leave the plantation. I have a meeting with the members of the horse racing club, so they will serve as witnesses for my alibi.”
“If there are slaves who want freedom, how many can you take?”
“If we move too many, we’ll definitely get caught, so please keep it to around ten. But what will you do with them after you take them? Are you going to send them to the North?”
“I must give them the choice. Those who want to go North can go North, and those who want to be with us can be with us.”
To be honest, the Black people who disappear from the plantation will inevitably be suspected as the culprits involved in this incident. They would face death if caught, but if there are those who still want to follow Brown, their longing for freedom must be that great. If I can gather such people and take them, I have no reason to stop them. In this world, there will always be people who want to enjoy freedom, no matter how much they roll in the gutter or drink muddy water.
“Then, before we carry it out, we need to create a manifesto, so let’s decide on a name first. Do you have a name in mind for the organization?”
“We will become the arrowhead containing the wishes of all slaves who long for freedom, so we have decided to use the name Arrow of Freedom.”
“That’s cool. Let’s go with that.”
John Brown and James Sett. It was the first collaboration between two people who, under normal circumstances, could never mix. It’s not an opportunity that comes every day, so let’s make it as spectacular as possible.