The Long Road to Freedom

Two young slaves are on the run. One makes it, the other gets killed. Travor, who has been dubbed as one of the worst overseers ever, was fired for not coming back with Master Dalton’s prized negro Bobby Gene. He sought employment at Master Wellington’s plantation. It had been brought to his attention that someone had been raiding his property. Nothing of great value; crops, chickens, eggs, as well as a few of the slaves’ attire. A young white couple traveling cross country have fallen on hard times when they are robbed, leaving them only with their personal things. Found themselves in the state of Missouri. Their names are Jeffrey and Pauline Turner, ended up taking what they thought was temporary residency. It became something different. Master Wellington put Jeffrey in charge of finding out who this mysterious person was who had been raiding his property.

Several months of staying in the loft, Jeffrey was ready for it to be over. Gets his wish when he happens to see someone running through the dried-up fields. Took out in pursuit of this person. Bringing him to a cave. Discovering he’s black, and his name is Bobby Gene, they become the best of friends. Bobby Gene and Anna Belle are reunited through Jeffrey. The three come up with a plan to get Bobby Gene safely to the north. Jeffrey seeks work in town at the saw mill after finding Pauline and Matthew in bed together.

Bobby Gene comes back to Missouri a free man and a lawyer, pays a surprise visit to Wellington’s Plantation only to find Anna Belle has become Matthew’s mistress. Bobby Gene and Matthew meet face-to-face. Matthew gives Bobby Gene a deadly warning concerning Anna Belle. Bobby Gene and Jeffrey are put in a life or death situation. Matthew and a few of his overseers ride onto Bobby Gene’s plantation demanding his woman back. A shot is fired. Travor lies dead, Anna Belle is grazed by the gun fire. Matthew returns, guns a blazing, finds his way through the house to where Bobby Gene is. Gun clicked, aimed, and an eerie cry as Matthew falls dead, knife protruding out of his back. Anna Belle runs into the arms of Bobby Gene.

-- Carolyn Harris