THE DEPRIVED... Part 12.

A continuation of my story.

Michael woke suddenly, hearing the sounds of childish laughter and rising he saw Beth playing ‘Touch-Chase’ with Tessie and Megs. Calling Beth and Sam to him, Michael pointed at the two sisters who now stood silent.
“Who are they?” he asked.
“They’re our new friends.” explained Beth, going on to tell him the names of the two girls.
It was just at that time a man suddenly appeared and the two girls ran to him, telling him how they had come upon the family and that they came from Ireland. Mary had woken to the noise and sat with a worried frown on her face as the farmer looked at Michael.
“I’m sorry if we camped on your land.” apologised Michael. “And I suppose I had better give you an explanation of what we are doing here.”
In this way Michael explained about their leaving the homestead and of the broken promises made to him and his family by the Gaffer. He talked of the cesspits and the quicklime burial pits for those who had died from cholera. The farmer listened then with a smile extended a hand to Michael, who shook it warmly.
“You may stay as long as you like. We are a small farm with not too much to offer but you and your family are welcome to share what little we have.” said Amos Hammerson.
Amos Hammerson was a medium sized man of stocky build with a cheerful grin which matched a cheerful disposition.
“I have a barn over yonder.” he said, thumbing over his shoulder. “You can make use of it while you stay. It is warm and has hay for a good bed.”
“I will accept your kind offer.” replied Michael. “But only if I might do some work for you in return for your hospitality. I do not ask for money, just work as a repayment. I was a farmer back in County Cork and never afraid of hard work.”
Amos Hammerson readily agreed, leading them all back to his small homestead. His wife, a jolly woman of a motherly appearance had made a solid meal of oats and wheat cakes which Michael and his family ate hungrily.
“Go out to the barn and make up a bed for yourselves.” said Amos. “From what you told me, having travelled through the night and having had just a little rest you must still be tired. Rest up in the barn and tomorrow you can work with me in the field.”
The barn was much warmer than the chill outside and Michael, having taken the handcart into the barn, settled down on a bed of new straw alongside Mary and they were soon asleep again. Beth, like all children, was awake to this new adventure and played with Tessie and Megs, running through the fields and picking apples which had fallen from the trees. Sam seemed uncomfortable playing alongside Tessie and Megs and not able to draw Beth away from their play he settled himself down on a grassy knoll and stared into the distance of the hills from where they had come. Suddenly he stood up and shading his eyes against the sun he peered out into the distance, seeing the dusty trail of some horsemen. Running to Beth, Sam stopped her in her play and holding tight to her skirt he pointed to the oncoming horsed riders. Grasping his hand and calling to the others to run back into the house and warn Amos Hammerson of the emergency, Beth ran with Sam into the barn and woke her parents up.
“Quick!” she exclaimed. “There are riders coming this way!”
Michael and Mary, very bemused at once more being woken, calmed Beth down and then making sense of what she was saying they drew both children into the barn and locked the door.
“Shall we try to run out the back way?” asked Mary.
“It’s no point of us trying to run.” said Michael. “We shall just have to stay in here and keep very quiet. It will be up to Amos what he tells them if they are company law men looking for us.”
Pulling some of the straw over themselves the family waited with baited breath as at last they heard the sound of horses hooves and a loud voice demanding the farmer to come out of the house.
“We’re looking for an Irish family of one man and his wife along with two children. Have you seen them come this way?”
“No Sir, I aint seen no-one come this way. Why are you looking for them?” asked Amos Hammerson.
“They robbed the company of a lot of money which was pre-paid to them for work in bondage. They’re rogues and a dangerous lot!” exclaimed the voice.
“Well, I’ll keep an eye out but I’ve seen nothing come this way.” promised Amos.
The family in the barn listened as horse leather creaked and hooves pounded impatiently till, with a last word of warning, the hooves drummed away from the farm and all was quiet. There was a tapping on the barn door and Michael rose to open it.
“It’s safe now. They’ve gone but it might be better if your children come into the house for a while and play with Tessie and Megs. They can have something to eat while you and your wife finish off your rest.” said Amos.
Michael and Mary dreamed well into the next night then lay and spoke quietly about their next move. Beth and Sam were still at the house and Mary supposed they had been put to bed with Tessie and Megs so that Michael and Mary could get some rest from them and return to sleep which they did.
Early the next morning Mary rose from a long sleep to find that the children were already up and at play outside while Michael had been up and already left, going with Amos to work in the field, harvesting the crop of turnips and potatoes.

“You’re a very good worker.” said Amos as they came back from the field, each carrying a large sack of potatoes and turnips.
Michael set the heavy sack down alongside that of Amos’ bag then stretched his arms out. It was getting dark, a setting sun turning the horizon crimson. Amos begged Michael and his family to join them at the house for an evening meal.
“It seems Michael has set his mind on leaving us early in the morning.” said Amos as they ate.
This statement brought out cries of alarm from all the children.
“Why can’t we stay, Da? We are happy here with Tessie and Megs.” cried Beth.
Even Sam who was normally quiet shouted his disapproval at the move.
“It’s no good!” said Michael, holding up a hand for silence. “Amos Hammerson is a fine man in allowing us to stay. But he cannot afford to feed us. He is not rich and has his own family to provide for. We must make it to London so that I can find a regular job and support my own family.”
“Your father is right, children.” said Amos, standing up from the table. “While I would most love to have Michael working here and making my life easier, I cannot afford to pay him or feed you all. I can give you some potatoes and turnips and my good wife will make up some oat cakes and that is all I can give you to see you on your way.”