SLEEPY HOLLOW UN-RECORDED NEGRO HISTORY

SLEEPY HOLLOW: UN-RECORDED NEGRO HISTORY When Abigail Mills brought the volume, before Ichabod Crane, it was her primary intent, to find out if the volume was even genuine. The events, which would tranpire, from this action, would, once again, shatter Abigail Mills perception, of American history. Having grown, to womanhood, surrounded by the racial hatred, of "Roots", Abigail Mills, now a police lieutenant, had been forced to confront Ichabod Cranes alternative version, of American history. A version which the young woman remained reluctant to accept. Still, since Cranes version, of history had proven correct, more than once, the police lieutenant was learning to accept NOTHING, at face value, anymore. This, young, negress was being faced with the fact that, while not all white people were "evil", as "Roots" had claimed, not all negroes were victims, either. All of this had been staring Abby in the face, ever since the day when she had visited Professor Malachai Olsen, who had reminded the young woman that there was NO one, CORRECT, version, of American history. Neither textboooks, nor television, told the entire story, of the nations history. These were just some, of the factors, which lead to Abby's caution, when she found the very old volume, at an "odd's and end's" sale. Out of curiousity, when Abby opened the volume, to the first page, and she found the stylized writing, of both Queen's English, and what appearred to be German, all hand-written, with the flair, of the 14th through 18th centuries, Abby would check, to be sure no pagess were missing prior to offering the cashier $10.00, for the volume. Abby was hoping that Crane would decide that the volume was authentic. If not, she was only out $10.00. What very few people, even in Sleepy Hollow, knew, about the police deputy, was that Abby had, never, been a "straight A" student, even in English class. Ofcourse, neither had Jennifer, for that matter. Like most children, of modern times, all the Mills sisters wanted, out of each day, was to get OUT of the "prison", which many students consider school to be, in order to be free to enjoy their afternoons. Abby, however, had started to re-think her education, especially when dealing with a man like Ichabod Crane. A man who not only spoke, but read, and wrote, in both Queen's English, as well as regular English, and (somewhat annoyingly) Crane could handle German, as well. Abby remembered that she, herself, had considered taking language classes, while in school, however, when she had decided to try the German language, she had dropped out, early, in the first semester, and for good reason. While the students had wanted to learn about the nation, its language, and its people, the teacher, FIRST, INSISTED that, before teaching the students this "evil" language, that the students were, first, required to memorize, and be able to quote, the events of the Holocaust. This would include the NAMES, of the death camps, NAMES, of the commanding Germans, and so on. The whole, first, semester, was to be devoted to this darkest part, of German history. When one, of Abby's classmates had dared ask the teacher "What about all of the beautiful art, buildings, classical music..." It would seem that such praise, for an "evil" nation, had so enraged the teacher that the instructor had THROWN the student out of class, then warned the remaining class members "ALL krauts are EVIL! Just as Germany, itself, is "evil", in its purest form. NEVER forget that". After the "teachers" display, and remarks, Abby had understood that the teacher had no intention of teaching the facts, about Germany. Abby understood that this was the reason why, soon after the demonstration, all of the class members had removed "German Language" class from their schedules. The class had folded within a month of its start date. Not surprisingly, the teacher had transferred to another school. That was then. Now, Abby was tempted to ask Crane to share his knowledge, of German reading, and writing, with her. The question, which concerned her, though, was "Am I too OLD to learn?" Ofcourse, Abby had one advantage, which other students, even in the modern day, do NOT have. While students, especially in public schools, such as the ones the Mills sisters had attended, were staffed with "teachers", who "fire" information, at students, at the rate which machine guns fire, while set on "fully automatic", and students either grasp the information, at "warp speed", or they fall behind Abby, now, had an "edge", on this "educational system". Atleast as far as history is concerned. Abigail Mills had Ichabod Crane. Not only as a partner, but as a teacher, as well. A person willing to discuss American history, at a casual, conversational, pace. As a result, Abby had, already, learned that, in Queen's English, "Successful intercourse" was interpreted as "Succcessful, of profitable, conversation". Now, Abby hoped that Crane would be equally understanding, about translating this volume. (Abby thought 'God, I HOPE that this is NOT a volume, of fairy tales'. Abby felt that it would be so embarrassing, having Crane inform her "Congratulations, you have discovered an original manuscript, of: Mother Goose, Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Bean Stalk,, etc") While Abby Mills was using her leisure time, to find some objects, for her own place, Ichabod Crane would be devoting his time to locate, and converse with, the descendants, of his friends, and fellow soldiers, from the Revolutionary War. To date, though, Cranes search had shown that, over the years, following the war, most of the parties involved wanted to move themselves, and their families, as far AWAY, from the memories, of blood, and death, as possible. In as much as Crane could research, maybe a dozen, of his comrades, had remained in the area, attempting to re-build, from the ravages of war. To date, however, Crane had located, and visited, only three, of these families. To his discouragement, though, none of these people even had any acknowledgement, that a "distant ancestor" had been involved, in the war-fare. Now, thanks to the fact that, in revolutionary days, the main "system", of "record keeping practices", was family bibles, Crane was un-certain that he would be able to locate ANY of his compatriots. Sure, he might request the assistance, of Katrina's White Magic coven, in the hope that the women MIGHT provide some answers. However, due to the number, of recent inquiries, which Crane, and Abby, had made, of the coven, Crane was un-certain of if additional inquiries would tax the covens patience. When Abby produced the volume, for Crane, she would remind him "I picked this up since it appearred to be atleast as old, and, maybe, as inportant, as George Washington's Bible. I thought you might want to review it". When Crane would reply "I am most gratified by this display, of generosity", Abby would say "If that means "Thank You", then "Your Welcome". Upon reading only the primary five pages, of the text, though, Crane would call Abby to his side, stating "Letenant, you have procured a most interesting document." When Abby would ask "How so?" Crane would say "It appears that this manuscript is a record, of the negro populations attempts at forming new, post-war, communities, in the America's.." When Abby would say "I thought that slavery lasted long after the Revolutionary War". Crane would correct her, saying "This manuscript speaks, not of the Revolutionary War, but, rather, of the Civil War. What your fellow officers refer to as the "War between the States". When Abby would suggest "So, it was written by a powerful white person..." Crane would correct her, saying "Letenant, although your current public school system was only founded in the 20th century, my own research, of post-revolutionary America, indicates that, once the shackles, of British tyranny were thrown off of the colonies, the colonial peoples, again, pooled their resources, in order to retain educational services". When Abby would say "For white people, right?", Crane would ask "WHY do you continue to cling, so powerfully, to that distorted fairy tale, of American "history", which you refer to as "Roots"? Abby would reply "Until you came along, "Roots" was the closest thing, to American history, which black people had". Crane would respond "Gratious. How easily mis-informed the current generation is. You watch that thing called a television, and you believe whatever you see is the "truth". When Abby would say "Come on, Crane, you have to admit that Africans were brutalized, when the slave ships reached America... Crane would cut her off, saying "Yes, I was present, at the time, remember? **I** witnessed slaves, both black, AND white, being marched off of ships, like cattle". When Abby would say "All I am saying..." Crane would cut her off, again, saying "....is that you PREFER to believe this fellow, Haley, and his writing, just because it makes you feel empowered" When Abby would say "Okay then, WHAT does the BOOK say?" Crane would inform Abby "This volume was recorded by a person, who refers to themselves as "an educated African gentleman". It would appear to list his efforts, to detail the primary motivations, for post Civil War Africans, to attempt to establish their own communities". When Abby would suggest "I'll bet THAT went over, REAL well, considering that this is the first I am hearing, of this story". Crane would mention "Am I correct in remembering that your own history teacher, recently, informed you, of your LACK of interest, in America's, historical, lessons?" Abby would admit "Okay, so I wasn't the most attentive student, in class" Crane would say "Precisely. I have little doubt that it was your lack of interest which reduced your awareness, of the nations history" When Abby would say "Just tell me what the book says, PLEASE". Crane would say "Very, well. This volume speaks of a time, after your Civil War, when freed blacks were offered parcels of land, as well as small numbers, of livestock. The volume speaks to the fact that most of the parcels were so minute that it was, nearly, impossible for the workers to plant crops, while building shelters, on the lands." When Abby said "Okay, so freed slaves got shafted, on land deals. Big deal. Corporations shaft the public, everyday". Crane would interrupt Abby, again, saying "Letenant, I am attempting to inform you that some of the freed slaves managed to create a positive outcome, from the land grants". Crane would continue "According to this volume, it would appear that groups, of freed slaves, came together, and settled on sections, of wilderness, which other persons had decided, previously, were "too wild for development." This volume states that the primary settlement, of the freed persons, was a piece, of rough, and wild, land, which sat in the shelter of a rock overhang. The writer states that "Where land owners, and the religious, saw the face, of Satan, in the rock overhang, the settlers saw, as they developed the land, was a face, of a wolf. This is why, instead of fearing the rock, the settlers named the village after the wolfs face." When Abby asked "What happened to the settlers? I sure dont remember any villages, named Wolf's Face". Crane would, silently, read on, for awhile, even as Abby performed a web-search, for any villages named "Wolf's Face". Crane would, soon, come forth with "Letenant, I think I may have found atleast a small amount, of the solution. According to the volume, it is recorded that, after the lands were cleared, and crops planted, families began erecting shelters. If this journal is correct, some of these shelters later evolved into homes, while others evolved into shops." When Abby would say "Still not registering" Crane would say "The freed slaves would build a prosperous village, for their use, and even began trading goods with other villages. For approximately twenty-five years, the villagers prospered, and built a solid community relationship, with nearby settlements." Crane would continue "If this journal is correct, it was about the time when the village was becoming an equal partner, with local villages, that the "ghosts" began to show up." When Abby would say "Ghosts"? You mean, the Ku Klux Klan?" Crane would say "Possibly", since, so far, he had found mention, of this group, only a few times, during his research. Crane would ask Abby "Tell me, did this Klan ever wear glowing apparrel?" Abby would say "If you consider bed sheets to be "glowing clothing", then yes". Crane would wonder "Perhaps the mist, which is mentioned, was, actually, ground cover" When Abby would ask "Why the ghost questions?" Crane would say "It would seem that, once the village began to prosper, and grow, that these "spirits" began charging through the villlage, swinging hand weapons, at the villagers. It would seem that these "spirits" wanted locals to flee, in terror". When Abby would ask "Did anyone stand their ground?" Crane would say "Let us find out", then he read, further on, and informed Abby "The volume states that just two men stood their ground. These men were, then, roped, and dragged away, by the "ghosts". When Abby asked "What happened to the village?" Crane would say "The volume says "Village re-settled, and re-named, by newly arrived, European, settlers". When Abby asked "What else does the book say?" Crane would say "This was only the first, of several, attempts, at establishing communities. The volume indicates that, each time a community was founded, by freed slaves, the community was allowed to flourish, for decades. In each case, the "ghosts" only appearred once the community was, firmly, established". This is when Abby would say "You know, Crane, this sounds a-LOT like the modern practice of Emminent Domaine". When Crane would ask "What, perchance, might this "Emminent Domaine" procedure entail?" Abby would say "To put it simply, anyone, with plenty of money to spend, including corporations, and hospitals, who wants your land, can just buy it out, from under you". When Crane would say "Barbaric" Abby would say "I agree, BUT it is legal". When Crane would question "To THROW people out of their HOMES, just for MONETARY gain?" Abby would say "Woe, now. I didn't say that I APPROVE of the practice. I said it was LEGAL". When Crane would ask "Have you participated in such an action?" Abby would say "You know that new, medical research center, at the edge of town?" When Crane would say "That enormous brute, with wings, spread, as though preparing to take flight?" Abby would say "The sheriff's department had to serve twenty-five families, with "Notice to Vacate", just to clear enough land, for that place to be built." When Crane would ask "So, are you saying that the owners, of the land, were endebted, and were un-able to produce sufficient revenue, to cover the debts?" Abby would say "Wrong. None of the homes was in foreclosure. Everything was on schedule". When Crane asked "If the land owners were not in debt, WHY was property seized, from them?" Abby would say "Because MONEY TALKS, LOUDER, in American courts, than tenants rights. Since the medical community has billions of dollars, at its disposal, they can just mow down home owners, who have only about $150.00 per month, in revenue, after the bills are paid. In the modern world, MONEY wins, every time." Crane would consider these words, as he continued reading the volume. What baffled both Mills and Crane, was how, in every case Crane read of, the plot line was the same, in village after village. In atleast a dozen cases, the villages were allowed to grow, into successful communities, before being raided. The question was "WHY were the villages not raided, while being established?" WHY wait until a community was, firmly established? Of the communities which were, actually, burned to the ground, Crane found notations, stating that members, of the negro community, had attained not only the respect, of neighbors, but held positions, of power, within communities. The author, of the text, would surmise that this is why the villages were burned to the ground. In only one case, though, which Crane read about, was a white community burned, as well, by the "bed sheets". From the contents, of the volume, it was reported that the "bed sheets" burned the white town, since, the white people responded to their neighbors plight, with buckets of water. Even as the "bed sheets" began lighting fires, all on account of a negro male being selected, over a white male, for a post, at a local fire brigade, the riders had set fire, to the negro community, only to be foiled, by the neighboring whites, who began dousing the flames almost as fast as the fires were lighted. The author surmised that this is the reason why the "bed sheets" turned their attack on the white town. When black and white turned their attention from the now-doused flames, of the negro community, and saw the white community going up, in flames, the groups bound together, to fight this new blaze. According to the volume, only half of the white community could be saved. While locals were battling these blazes, the "bed sheets" returned to the task, of burning down the black community. Only after the negro community was, fully, ablaze, did the leader, of the "bed sheets", come forward, to warn the exhausted towns-people "Blacks is inferior to whites. This is God's commandment". When Crane would, mistakenly, think, out loud "There is no such commandment", Abby would say "Commandment, about what?" Crane would advise her "The author suggests that, when two villages worked together, to stop some destruction, that one of the "ghosts" came forward, to warn the survivors that "Black people are inferior to white people. The author even suggests that the rider claimed "This is God's commandment". What rubbish". Abby would say "But, typical of the Ku Klux Klan. Just like other groups, they interpret the Bible, as they choose to." Crane would say "How convenient". When Abby would ask "Does the volume tell how MANY villages the Klan burned, and how many they just scared people away from?" Crane would say "Most un-fortunate. No totals seem to be listed. Only the fact that each village was allowed to become well-established, before being attacked" When Abby would say "The question is: WHY? Why not attack, while the village is small, and defenseless? Why wait until locals have built homes, and businesses?" When Crane would suggest " I think it may have something to do with the land. Remember how the author states that, in the eyes of developers, the land, in its original form, is not worth the cost, of development?" When Abby would say "I remember you mentioning it" Crane would suggest "What if this group, your Klan, waited until the negroes worked the land, made it manageable, then ran the negroes off of the land, now that the land had real value?" Abby would say "Sure, the land must have been worth maybe a thousands times more, once it was developed." Crane would say "Yes, and add to the fact that it was well-known, even in my day, that negroes were terribly frightened of ghosts, dogs, witchcraft, voodoo, and so on..." Abby would say "Light a few torches, put on some bed sheets, wail, like ghosts, scare locals out of their homes, and off of their land, then come back, lay salvage claim, and make a killer profit from the sales of the property" When Crane would ask "A "killer profit"? How does a murderer profit, from land sales?" Abby would say "Figure of speech. It means that the salvagers make a very LARGE profit, from the land deal." When Abby would take the information to Professor Olsen, and ask "Can this be verified?" Professor Olsen would say "My dear girl, you really DID sleep through too many classes. I even recall the questions, from your class-mates, about how supposedly un-educated black people could build such prosperous communities." When Abby would ask "So, it is true. Freed slaves DID build communities, and these places prospered?" Professor Olsen would say "Until the Klan ran them off the lands. Them, and those ridiculous bed linens. Such a lack of originality." When Abby would suggest "It was effective, though, wasn't it?" Professor Olsen would say "Un-fortunately, yes. It was most effective". When Abby would ask "Could you provide me a map, of these places?" Professor Olsen would say "Sure, just give me enough time, to find one of the original maps, and I can have something for you, in a few hours." When Abby would leave the professor to his errands, she would, no-sooner, be behind the wheel of her truck, when she would hear a familiar voice saying "Not everything is as it seems, is it?" When Abby would look to the rear, sure enough, there was August Corbin. Her mentor, teacher, and "guide", on more than one occassion. When Abby would ask "What are you doing here?" Corbin would ask "What is it that YOU are looking for?" Abby would say "Answers. I need to know what the TRUTH is" When Corbin would ask "WHY?" Abby would say "I grew up believing, in one way. Now, everything I THOUGHT I knew, and thought I believed to be true, is being proved false". Corbin would ask "Abby, what does it matter that white people were slaves, as well as black people? What difference does it make, that one group, or another, founded a city? Why are you upset about events which happened centuries before you were born?" Abby would say "I THOUGHT that I could do something, to make things right" When Corbin would ask "Make WHAT right?" Abby would suggest "Balance out history. Give us our "fair share". Things like that". Corbin would remind her "Abby, NO one can change the past. Not even the covens. The past is past. All you can do is work at the present, and make a better future". When Abby would ask "Better, but for WHOM?" Corbin would remind her "You cannot remake the world, in your own fashion. All you can do is make the best, of what you have. Dont try to change the world. If anything, change yourself. By the way, word has it that you want Crane to teach you the German language." When Abby would ask "How did you know, about that?" Corbin would say "I may be dead, but even the dead hear things." When Abby would say "Swell. Tell me, what will happen if I do this?" Corbin would only say "You will expand your horizons, just as you had hoped to, with Quantico" When Abby saw that Corbin was about to vanish, she told him "Nice seeing you, again, old man" Corbin would say "Always a pleasure, kid". With that, he was gone. Over the coming months, and at Abby's request, Crane would, at every opportunity, use German terms, for a variety of reasons. Granted, it was slow going, however, with Cranes assistance, including the slow substitution, of German vocabulary, for English, Abby, soon, understood enough German to aid some travellers, who had lost their way, to an Octoberfest. When her co-workers began asking "Since when do you speak German?" Abby would say "Since Crane is teaching me." In fact, it would be due to Cranes assistance, with teaching the language, which allowed Abby to figure out a message, written in blood, at a crime scene. When a co-worker asked "Is this Moloch's work?" Abby could state, with certainty "No, this is not Moloch. This is the Hessians. A rough translation would be "You will not prevent the rising. Prepare for what is to come". Her co-worker would say "So, I guess Mr. History Professor IS teaching you, isn't he". While ignoring her co-workers comment, Abby would bring the news, to Crane, who was, still, contemplating the reason why the K.K.K. had waited, for so long, to raid each of the negro villages. It wasn't like it was a national secret, that negroes fear spirits, and the supernatural. When Abby would question Crane with "So what? Many people fear spirits. Even the fake ones, inside haunted houses". This is when Crane would remind Abby "Your perceptions, of history, remain flawed." When Crane would continue "In MY day, un-like your precious "Roots", trappers, rarely, used fire arrows, to subdue potential slaves." When Abby would ask "So, WHAT did they do? Ask "pretty please"? Crane would respond "The most successful trappers played upon the fears taught to children, around camp-fires. Tales, of using the fires, which lit the night. Tales which claimed that monsters, spirits, witches, etc. roamed the darkness, beyond the fire-light, waiting for the fool-hardy, to wander away from the fires protective light". When Abby said "Let me guess. Anyone, who ventured away from the fires, was eaten". Crane would muse "Not so many stories, as one might suggest, were stories of persons being consumed". When Abby would ask "Then, what was the major line, in YOUR day?" When Crane would say "The primary accounts, which I learned of, were acounts of the non-attentive being captured, and used as slaves, either by dragons, or by Satan." When Abby asked "Are you suggesting that people were sent, to hell, for not staying close to camp-fires?" Crane would correct Mills, saying "Letenant, I was, merely, pointing out one, possible, rationale, for how persons were captured, and turned into slaves." When Abby would say "I dont follow" Crane would clarify "The most successful trappers used local superstitions, to lure locals into traps. Fire-arms were, rarely, needed, since superstition caused such fear, in captives, that victims were immobilzed long enough to be netted." When Abby would suggest "I would bet that white slaves were treated far better than the black ones were" Crane would state "A wager you would have forfeitted. While negroes were netted, and chained, near their villages, Europes impoverished were netted, chained, and hauled away, from European poverty prisons." When Abby would say "But, negroes were sold, publicly, at auction", Crane would add "As were Europeans, and Asians." When Abby would ask "Wait a minute. What does African slave trading have to do with Americans being chased from their homes, by fake ghosts?" Crane would spell it out, for her. "Just as tribal story-tellers impressed tales, of "evil", on Africa's young people, so, too, did the "leaders", of the later, American, communities. In a similar fate to the tales of Atlantis, tales, being re-told, generation after generation" When Abby would suggest "So, you are saying that "story-tellers" made villagers easier targets?" Crane would suggest "I am implying that FEAR, based upon hearing the same tales, many times, during youth, were, deeply, ingrained, on community members." Abby would say "Let me guess. You think that stories, such as ghosts, who snatch children away from parents, were the real reason why settlers fled the bed sheet covered Klan members?" Crane would say "A logical conclusion. After all FEAR causes irrational actions, even in the most rational of minds." Abby would, then, bring up the question "So, you are saying that these people, who spent decades, building new communities, just up and ran away, from the bed sheets, due to some old fire-side tales?" Crane would say "To protect ones family from perceived danger, I would assert that this would be a distinct possibility". When Abby would ask "Okay, but, WHY didn't the people return, once the "ghosts" rode away?" Crane would say "At this moment, I believe that the solution, to the current situation, lies within the pages of the volume. I must return to my reflections, in order to obtain said information". When Abby would say "One, final, question. Well, maybe two. For one thing, some, of what I saw, in that book, appearred to be in the German language. Am I right?" When Crane would say "Indeed, the volume does contain many Germanic writings" When Abby would ask "Why the combination of the languages?" Crane would say "I presume that the author was being humble, in presenting himself as educated. Due to his fluid use, of both German, and English, I would suggest the author was a person of exceptional education". When Abby would ask "But WHY the combination? Why not use just one language?" Crane would suggest "Not everyone, even in MY day, was multi-lingual. I believe that it was the authors intent to make the volume understandable ONLY to those who could read both languages". When Abby would suggest "Like a code?" Crane would say "Presumably". When Professor Olsen would produce the maps, Abby would mention "I have been to some of these places. There is, nothing there, except tree's, rocks and water" Crane would avert his eyes as the professor would say "That is true, NOW. Who can say WHAT it looked like, a century ago?" When Abby would ask "What eventually, became of the people?" Professor Olsen would say "Who can say? They may have died out. Maybe they moved on. Remember that, until the twentieth century, official record keeping standards did not exist." When Abby asked Crane "Road trip?", Crane would say "Dandy". A few hours later, and the duo arrived at one of the spots Abby did not already know about. Sure enough, between the map, Cranes "talent", for observing the landscape, and some luck, thrown in, the two DID locate the remains of a village. Still, Abby wondered why the negroes did not return, after the whites moved on. It would be Crane, who found the vital clue, in the landscape. Namely, the community graveyard. If what was left was accurate, the colony was wiped by a now-preventable, childhood, disease. Since the disease had left so many dead, in such a short time, whomever buried the last, of the bodies, left a warning, written in Queen's English: "Let it be known, to one and all, that the final numbers, of these souls did perish in the year of our Lord, one year ago. Our numbers waited for a year, hoping that God's Divine Judgement would have passed from the area." When Abby would suggest "So, this is why the negroes did not come back. They thought the place was cursed, by God, no less" Crane would say "It would appear so." When Abby would suggest "These people need a better memorial, than weeds, and decaying tombstones. We should do something". This is when August Corbin would pay the two a visit, asking "What does it matter, now? They have gone, from this world. Why not just let them Rest In Peace?" Abby would say "They need to be remembered" Corbin would say "Funny, you never cared about such things, before." Abby would say "Wonderful. A philosophical discussion, with a dead man. Crane, would you help me with this?" Crane would say "The sheriff is correct. The time, for remembering, is when ones family is alive. Celebrate the living. Allow the deceased rest in eternal peace". It was odd but it was not until this moment that Abby wondered "WHY did I find that volume, at the sale? Was I SUPPOSED to find it? If so, why?" While Ichabod Crane reviewed the volume, hoping to find some financial motive, for the K.K.K. to attack the villages, at intervals of 25-30 years, he noted the reports, of harvests, of food, and weaving, of fabric. Reports which were no more astounding than those of any of the other settlements. The cause, of the attacks, also, could not be moonshine. This, due to the fact that these communities did not produce more product, than any other settlement. And, as for the fact that white children were, routinely, being raised, by negro nannies, this was nothing new, as well. In fact, by the time Cranes regiment had arrived, in the colonies, atleast three, elderly, negro men, had earned the title of the colonies "Best Animal Trainers". During these same times, negro women had, for generations, already, served as personal maids, for white families, just as negro males had served as butlers. As far as market prices, for goods, and services, were concerned, both races received the same payment. In fact, from what Crane was able to deduce, from the contents of the volume, there was NO apparent REASON, for either the delays, or the attacks. This is why Crane decided to conatct the local chapter, of the Freemasons. Due to the fact that these men served as a kind of "guardians", of American history, Crane hoped that, maybe, these men would be able to provide him with some clues. Crane would be most dis-appointed to learn that, un-fortunately, the "No Girls Allowed" rule extended even into the groups records keeping. Crane would realize this when he stepped inside the groups archives. It would not take long for Crane to notice that some items, which Crane KNEW that women had invented, first (including household items) had invention credited to the men, who re-invented the items, at later dates. It would not be until Crane would turn to Malachai Olsen, that a possibility would present itself. As Olsen would remind Crane "You do understand that the Klan has been a Puritan group, since its founding. In fact, if the K.K.K. had its way, none, of America's negroes would even be allowed to live in, let alone VISIT, states, where white people would live". When Crane would admit "I am aware of such facts" Olsen would, then, ponder "Do you remember what happened, during colonial days, when some white women became pregnant, and gave birth, to the children, of negro men?" When Crane would say "Indeed. As I recall, numerous men were, publicly, flogged, for the "crime" of "tainting" white women" When Olsen would ask "Do you remember what became of the children, born of such relationships?" Crane would say "I heard stories of the children being sent to foundling homes. I cannot be certain since none, of the children, were, ever, heard from, again". When Olsen would say "Fair enough. Now, what do you remember of the "other side of the coin"? The relationships between negro women, and white men?" Crane would ask "What is to know. Some, propertied, families, "purchased" "comfort", for their young men. Always a most discreet practice, though. Officially, the young females were regarded as "household staff". When Olsen would ask "And what ELSE do you remember?" Crane would admit "Some of the women, eventually, beccame mistresses of the household." When Olsen asked "WHY?" As if testing Cranes knowledge, of history, to which Crane would say "It is a popular belief that the girls provided their lovers with children" When Olsen would ask "What happened to THESE children?" Crane would say "Most were sent to live with negro relatives, whom the fathers families paid handsome sums, to take in, and raise, the children" It was when Crane would say "In colonial times, the races did NOT "mingle" BOTH races maintained a respectful distance". When Olsen would ask "And WHY was this?" Crane would say "The Quakers, and the Catholics, were as deeply, opposed, to racial integration, as this K.K.K. was". When Olsen would ask "And, what would half-breed children have meant, to these groups?" Crane would suggest "Perhaps, that negroes, and whites, could get along, just as well as the indian tribes got along." When Olsen would ask "Would it not pose a danger, to the religious?" Crane would, then, review some documents, which showed that negro families were compensated, handsomely, for permitting young daughters to "attend" young white mens "needs". Now, Crane would realize the reason WHY the villages were attacked. Someone must have let slip the knowledge, that young, negro, women, were "attending" to young, white men. Now, the 25-30 years gap made sense. While the negroes were building their communities, trading goods, and raising crops, and families, no one paid the villages any notice. The villages were only attacked when young women became "staff", in white homes. Since the Quakers,, and the K.K.K. would suspect racial relations were occuring, the Klan had decided to, further, seperate the races. Now, the mystery made sense. The question would be HOW to inform Abigail Mills, without pushing her right into the arms of that Haley fellow? By the time Crane was prepared to give Abby the news, Abby would inform HIM of what had happened. It would appear that, for some reason, the coven was not yet certain, of Katrina's motivations. As a result, the coven would choose Katrina to act as an "errand boy", bringing Abigail Mills before the covens membership. Abby would inform Crane "When I was inside the coven chambers, again, I remembered what you said, about showing respect. When I met with the high priestess, I could not believe what she showed me. Not until I was, also, shown the records, of the time" When Crane would ask "And, what conclusions have you drawn, based upon this information?" Abby would say "Considering the SIZE, of some of the families, I would say that the women were happy with their lives. Not that women, of the day, had many choices". Crane would say "Indeed". Crane was relieved that Abigail Mills was coming to terms with an alternative version of history. After all, NO one had the "full story". Not even Crane. When August Corbin would appear, to the two, Abby would say "Yes, I know. Not everything is as it appears" Corbin would say "You are learning". When Abby would ask "Hey, old man, you COULD have made this easier, you know. You COULD have just TOLD us". Corbin would ask "Would you have believed me?" And let the question hang, even as Abby considered it, herself. Abby would inform Crane "It looks like I have a LOT more studying, ahead of me" Crane would say "Courage, letenant. Remember that even the Roman Empire was not constructed within a single passge of the suns radiance, upon the Earths surrface". Abby would say "If that means "Rome wasn't built in a day", then you are right". Corbin would instruct Crane "Teach her, well, Mr. Crane. Abby has much to learn, before she understand how just how much she does not know" When Abby would say "Thanks, old man", Corbin would say "Anytime, kiddo", just before he would dissolve. Abby would, then, suggest, to Crane "Why dont we get a fresh start, in the morning" Crane would say A most excellent suggestion."