Page 72 of Master of Paradise
At last they reached the property where thefarm was located, and curiosity chased away weariness. Theyexpected to see some sort of harvested crops in the fieldssurrounding the farm, but all they saw were long, low buildings,surrounded by barbed wire compounds. Altogether there were fivesuch buildings, not counting the house.
The house was a disappointment in itself. Itwas made from logs like the other buildings, but it was on thesmall side and had a neglected air about it. For one thing it badlyneeded a fresh coat of paint. By contrast, the other buildings wereclay-daubed against rats and weasels, and were freshlywhitewashed.
The blue twilight shadowed the compounds, butas they got closer they saw dozens of young blacks. They weresegregated by age and by sex. In one compound all the females werereally still children, while in another, all the wenches wereobviously with child.
Brandon's eyes opened wide in astonishedrealization. "Lord God Almighty, it's a breedin' farm!"
"No wonder Daddy didn't want us to come uphere," Jennifer said avidly.
"By God, Jenny, you shouldn't be here. Onething's certain-- Mother didn't know about this. She must beturnin' in her grave."
When Brandon stopped the carriage, a man witha burly chest and thick neck approached. He had a gun slung on hiship in an open holster that was strapped to his leg. "Y'all gotbidness here?"
Brandon got down from the carriage. "I'mBrandon Jackson. I suppose you could call me the owner."
The factor went a dull red. "Sorry, Mist'Jackson. I'm used to dealin' with your pa. Name's Jeb... Jeb Sloan.Come to the house an' make yourselves to home. Nothin' fancy, nofit place for a lady," he apologized.
"Yes, that is a problem, Sloan. This is mysister and I guess we are going to have to keep it betweenourselves that she ever came here."
"No problem, no problem," he assuredthem.
Beau helped Jennifer from the carriage, andJeb summoned a white youth and gave him instructions. "See to thehorse and then fetch Topaz from the sheds." He handed him a bunchof keys and turned back to the visitors. "Traveling parches thethroat. Come in an' wash the dust away, genlemen."
The house was furnished plainly withserviceable furniture. Jennifer, whose eyes missed nothing, noticedwith surprise that most of the furnishings had come from theJackson Plantation.Whenever Mother refurnished, the old piecessomehow found their way up here.
The place was tidy, but certainly not up tothe immaculate standards that Jennifer was used to. Under normalcircumstances she would have put her dainty nose in the air andrefused to stay, but at the moment she was busy calculating theworth of the cash crop they had just discovered.
Before the men were finished their cornliquor, a young black woman came in. She was perhaps six monthspregnant, at the stage where her condition was obvious, but she wasnot yet large enough to be awkward and clumsy.
"Topaz, I want you t'look after Miz Jacksonhere. Get them young gals in the kitchen to heat up water for abath, and I bet she could sure use some lemonade." Jeb looked atthe men. "We got us a real good cook here. Yore daddy allus saysgood vitals makes good breedin' slaves. Topaz, you get the bestbedroom ready for Miz Jackson, and when supper's ready, you brangher a tray."
"Yassir, Masta Jeb." The black girl was eagerto be of help.
Jennifer resented the fact that the menwanted her out of the way, but she knew she would be able to plyTopaz with her questions, so she allowed herself to be escortedupstairs.
Once the restraint of Jennifer was removed,the three men sat down at the table to do some serious drinking andtalk 'bidness'. Brandon took off his jacket and cravat and said,"Now, begin at the beginning and tell me how the whole operationworks."
Jeb pushed his hat to the back of his head."Well, sir, it's simple enough, if you know the bidness inside outlike I do." He went into detail, explaining all the whys andwherefores of the breeding farm.
When he was done, Brandon asked, "It's aprofitable operation, I gather?"
Jeb grinned. "Brings in double what yourdaddy makes on cotton every year."
Brandon and Beau both whistled theirappreciation.
"Got a pair of twins, Candy an' Sugar, couldpleasure you gentlemen tonight."
Brandon exchanged a glance with his friend."That would be right hospitable, Jeb."
Upstairs, Jennifer found herself in a smallroom with hand-hewn furniture and a rag rug on the floor. It was arustic novelty for her. Topaz carted in a big tin bathtub and twogirls from the kitchens were kept hopping up and down thebackstairs until it was filled with warm water. Jennifer slipped inthankfully and sank down up to her shoulders. She pretended apersonal interest in the girl. "I see you are going to have a baby.Is it your first?"
"Oh no, ma'am. Dis here's ma third."
"Good gracious, you don't look old enough tohave three children."
Topaz assured her that she was. "Ah'sfifteen."
"Good Lord, how old were you when you weremarried?" Jennifer was shocked.
