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“Like a horse or cow. Like any other property.”
    Libby pulled back, afraid of Caleb’s anger.
    He grabbed her hand. “You may come from a mansion in Chicago, but I’m tired of your silly ideas. I’m going to show you something.”
    “Like what?” Libby asked. “You better take care of me, or Pa won’t like it.”
    “I’ll take care of you, all right!” Caleb pulled her along. “I’ll take you to something you should have seen a long time ago!”

CHAPTER 6
Strange Message

    W ith quick angry steps Caleb headed away from the river. Libby hurried behind, trying to keep up. But Caleb’s long strides kept her running.
    In the street around them, teams of horses pulled heavily laden wagons. Caleb darted between them, seeming not to notice the danger. When they reached a building with tall pillars, he finally stopped.
    “Where are we?” Libby asked.
    “The courthouse for Saint Louis County,” Caleb answered, his voice short with anger.
    Wide steps led up to great wooden doors. As more and more people moved into the area, Libby’s gaze was drawn toward the top of the steps.
    A man stood there wearing a long, expensive coat that protected him against the sharp wind. Looking out over the people, he seemed to swagger, as though taking pleasure in the size of the crowd.
    In front of the steps was another white man who stood like a guard over a tall, strong-looking black boy. The boy waited with head bowed, as though staring at the ground.
    Libby turned toward Caleb. “What have you brought me to?”
    Caleb’s gaze met hers. “A slave auction.”
    “A slave auction? Pa won’t like that one bit.”
    “Are you going to tell him?” Caleb asked, and she knew he was daring her.
    Seconds later, Caleb looked away, as though he’d forgotten Libby. Instead, he seemed to watch the tall black boy.
    Even from this distance, Libby could tell that his short-sleeved shirt and cotton pants were new.
It’s just like I said. Well cared for, that’s what he is
.
    Wanting to continue their argument, Libby faced Caleb. “See his clothes?”
    Her words made Caleb even more angry. “They cleaned him up to sell him!” he muttered close to her ear. “Gave him new clothes to bring a better price!”
    Again Caleb grabbed her hand. When he pulled Libby through the crowd, she had no choice but to follow. Finally Caleb could not get around any more of the men waiting for the auction. Yet from where Caleb stopped Libby heard the guard talking to the young slave.
    “They call you Jordan, boy? You’re too uppity for my taste! Don’t you forget for one minute who you are! You is
property
!”
    The guard pushed the boy forward. “Hear me now? Keep your eyes on your feet, or they’ll think you run every chance you get!”
    As Jordan started up the steps, he moved slowly, as if dreading what lay ahead. Libby stood on her tiptoes. Inside she felt torn—wanting to see, yet not wanting to see.
    In spite of his strong appearance, Jordan seemed to have trouble walking. One at a time, he swung his feet wide with an awkward movement. Partway up the stairs, he stumbled.
    The man in the long coat called down to him. “Hurry, boy! Get up here!”
    Moments later, Jordan reached the top of the steps. Only then did Libby see that his feet were bare, even on this cold day. She also saw why he swung his feet wide and stumbled.
    Around his right ankle was a heavy steel band. Another band circled his left ankle. Between the leg-irons stretched a chain.
    Libby gasped. Caleb turned to her, a warning in his eyes. Quickly Libby covered her mouth, trying to hide her dismay. Yet when she looked back, the chain was still there. The leg-irons were still in place. She could not wish them away.
    As the man on the steps raised his arm, the crowd grew quiet. Libby no longer needed to be told what was happening. The well-dressed man was the auctioneer.
    “We got a boy here you’ll all want to own,” he started out.
    The young slave stood straight and tall