“Wait here,” Helene said.

- I'm with you! - the slave threw the blanket to the side, - I will not let you go of one!

The voice of the black woman was so insistent that Helen, without hesitation, threw some clothes to her and told her to hurry. Five minutes later, both of them ran out into the street and jumped into the saddles of the horses at the doorstep, and after twenty minutes of furious racing, they flew to the dock.

There has already gathered a large crowd of onlookers, which are many in any city. Helen jumped off the horse and, pushing elbows around the curious, made her way to the pier. Dana followed her relentlessly, trying with all her might not to lose her mistress in this anthill.

- Boatswain! Shouted Helen, finally making her way to the mooring posts.

“I'm here, Mrs. Helene,” a stocky, red-haired fellow emerged from the group of sailors, smeared with soot.

“Where is my brother, Kirk?” The woman asked sharply.

“Oh, don't worry, Mrs. Helene,” the boatswain smiled wryly, “With Captain Bross everything is fine.” Now he will appear. Yes, here he is!

From the depths of the still smoking ship appeared Alan. His white shirt in several places was torn and stained with blood and soot, his hair was tousled. He walked slowly toward the gangplank, carrying a girl in his arms. It was Mara. Her curly head lay back, hands hanging limply down.

Dana's heart sank with fear.

Bross went down to the pier and laid the girl on the rocks of the pier. Helen screamed when she saw a huge bloody hole at the girl’s temple. Dana rushed to her sister and fell on her knees in front of her. She could not believe that with her now there is not the closest person, the only one who survived after the attack of the pirates on their village.

The girl ran her hand over Mary's hair that had strayed into the bar and threw back her head and howled like a mortally wounded bear. Later, Helene admitted that she had such goosebumps on her back that had not happened since her parents died.

Grabbing her sister's head, Dana bent over her and quietly began to whisper some strange words, while swaying from side to side.

- How did she die? - asked brother Helen.

“Better ask how I survived,” Alan grumbled.

“Exactly,” the woman cast a stern glance at the captain. “You are alive, and she ...”

“Mara saved my life with her price,” Alan replied bitterly in his voice. “I stood at the helm and talked to the helmsman.” Suddenly there was a strong explosion. The cat pushed me hard. When I realized what was the matter, I saw her lying on the deck with a hole in her head, and a huge piece of yelled lay beside him. I pulled the girl aside in the hope that she was alive, and wanted to bandage her wound, but soon I realized that it was useless. Mara was dead. I left it next to the steering wheel, covering it with a piece of canvas, and I rushed to extinguish the fire along with other sailors.

- Where is Tina? - Helen suddenly asked, turning her head.

“I don't know,” Bross shrugged. “I haven't seen her since the explosion.” Maybe frightened and hid somewhere?

- Boatswain! - the woman shouted again, - Take three people and look for the slave Tina!

“Yes, Madam Helene,” Kirk snapped, “Hey, you three, jellyfish are for you down the throat!” Search for a girl! Alive, tear the devils apart!

- She is in a powder cellar! - shouted someone from the team, - if this girl weren’t, the schooner and slivers wouldn’t be left! I saw how she lay down on a burning bachonok with gunpowder and extinguished the explosion with her body.

Kirk, pushing away the sailors, he rushed into the womb of the ship and soon brought out the disfigured body of a girl, which could only be identified by a small patch of red ribbon woven into her hair. Dana could not survive this loss and fell to the ground, losing consciousness.

- How are you, honey? - Helen leaned over the slave, wiping sweat on her forehead, wiping a scarf.

“Madam,” said the girl, barely moving her lips, “Is that you, Madam?”

“Of course, I,” the hostess sat down on the edge of the bed on which Dana lay, and stroked her cheek, “Do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid of anything. I love you ...

“Do not, madam,” tears welled in the slave’s eyes, “I am now completely alone.” I want to die too.

“You're not alone, my girl,” Helen said tenderly, “I'll always be with you.”

“You are my mistress,” said the black woman through the tears.

“No,” said the woman confidently, “You are now a free man.” My brother and I have issued all the papers. Now you yourself can choose where to live and what to do. But I would like you to stay with me.

- How is your maid? - Dana puzzled looked at Mrs.

“Like a daughter,” Helen corrected her, “Now calm down and sleep.” If you want, I will sit next to you.

- Madam! - called the girl.

“I'm here,” the woman said quietly.

- I was unconscious for a long time?

- Several days. But now the doctor said that everything will be fine. Get some sleep, and I'll sit here.

The girl, swallowing tears, nodded in response. Helen smiled and settled herself in the chair, which was set against the headboard. Dana closed her eyes and felt herself calming down. Eyes themselves began to stick together, breathing became even, anxiety gradually disappeared.

- Maybe this woman gives me such a calm? She thought.

But soon thoughts became incoherent, and Dana fell into a peaceful, undisturbed sleep.

A month has passed since that terrible day. Helen did not deceive the girl. When she recovered and got stronger, the woman showed her a paper that said:

"Dana, the daughter of the leader Matomat, is now recognized as free and is under the auspices of the marquise Helene Stefanie Bross and is her adopted daughter."

On the occasion of recovery in the estate Brossov was arranged a small reception, which came only close friends. For two days, the tailor brought a magnificent lace dress, and the girl spun for a long time in front of the mirror, examining herself in his reflection under Helen’s tender gaze.

- Like? The woman asked, seeing the happy face of her pet.

“Oh, yes, mother,” Dana rushed around the neck of the Marquis, “But ...”

- What, honey? - the woman was alert.

“I dare ask, mother,” said the black woman timidly, shyly lowering her eyes.

“You dare,” Helen assured her, putting a pearl necklace on the girl’s thin, tanned neck.

- Thank you so much for your concern, but I would like to have more casual clothes for each day.

- Which one? - the woman raised an eyebrow.

“I remember our first meeting with you,” Dana began from afar, “Remember when you and your brother bought us from that pirate?”

“I remember,” Helen nodded her head.

“I was amazed by you then, mother,” the girl exclaimed enthusiastically, “You were so beautiful in that costume!” So slim and graceful!

- Do you want the same? - clarified Marquis.

“I would like to have a men's suit in which I could ride,” Dana blurted, “I’m a warrior and should always be ready to fight a battle with enemies.”

- Good good! - laughing, she waved her hands to Helen, - You'll have such clothes, but also women's dresses too.

The ball was great. All the guests looked at the dark-skinned alien with interest, wondering how this “savage” freely held and said. Helen followed Dana relentlessly the whole evening to save her from unwanted disturbances that the prim matrons or their important gentlemen could deliver to the girl. She vigilantly made sure that her adoptive daughter was not offended with ridicule and unnecessary talk. When one of the guests tried to offer a young pupil a glass of wine, Helene immediately appeared nearby and appeased a lover of unnecessary jokes.

When the guests left, Dana, sitting in a chair near the fireplace, asked:

“Mother, why are all these gentlemen so cruel?” How have I prevented them?

“My girl,” the woman replied with a heavy sigh, “This is my mistake.” I shouldn't have invited them. For these puffed turkeys who boast of their generosity ... Read more →