Chapter 3 – Into The Wilderness
A gray and cloudy day found Thomas Jefferson and his dear friend James Madison on horseback riding far beyond the broad fields of Monticello. Jefferson's magnificent Arabian steed led the way as the two friends traveled down a narrow road through thick Virginia forests. The road ahead reminded Jemmy of a tunnel through a sea of dense green trees.
"You know Thomas, there is a fortune to be made in lumber here," Jemmy observed as they leisurely rode along.
Jefferson remained brooding and silent. He seemed to have missed his friend's comment entirely and Jemmy understood. Thomas was deeply distressed by his financial difficulties and had been in a gloomy mood. Jemmy had agreed to accompany his friend on today's ride in hopes of lifting his spirits. While Jefferson was silent, Jemmy continued to chat out loud to himself, "Lumber has so many uses and these forests are immense, Thomas. A logging operation could be quite profitable even in this distant wilderness. Perhaps you should expand your vision beyond your enterprises at Monticello."
Without a word, Jefferson reined his horse to a stop in the road and faced Madison, "Unfortunately, I don't have time to construct a lumber mill or expand my enterprises," he said darkly and extended his arm toward Jemmy. In Jefferson's had was a black, silk handkerchief.
Madison looked at the handkerchief and was confused. He smiled hesitantly, "Thomas, whatever are you doing?"
"I need you to put on this blindfold," Jefferson replied and took the reins to Jemmy's horse, "From here on, I will lead the way."
Jemmy frowned and looked from Jefferson to the blindfold and back. When Thomas had suggested they go for a ride, Jemmy had not expected this.
"I am going to show you something, but I wish for you have deniability regarding certain aspects of it," Jefferson said patiently, "such as where I am taking you."
Jemmy suddenly smiled broadly, "Oh Thomas, we are on one of your adventures. How marvelous!" Madison grabbed the blindfold from Jefferson's hand and quickly tied it over his eyes. He then grabbed his mount's saddle with both hands, "Lead on Thomas, I cannot wait for your secret to be revealed."
Jemmy's sudden enthusiasm was contagious and Jefferson laughed gently, "Yes, of course. Now hold on tightly, I would not want to explain to Mrs. Madison how I lost you in the forest."
"No, you would not want that Thomas," Jemmy exclaimed, "she would be quite cross with you. But I know one day we will look back and laugh about the day you blindfolded Jemmy in the forest!"
Jefferson laughed again, "Indeed we shall, dear friend," he said. Holding the reins to Madison's mount, Jefferson rode a short distance further along the forest road. Next, he led them in two complete circles before plunging his horse, with Madison's in tow, from the road and into the dense forest.
Jemmy had lost all sense of direction but held tightly to the saddle. Low hanging tree branches and overgrown bushes snagged and tugged at his clothing as they rode deeper into the forest. It was frightening, confusing and exhilarating. Jemmy could barely contain his excitement, "How much further, Thomas?" he finally called out.
"Not much further," Jefferson called back.
Jemmy could tell that Thomas was feeling better and could feel the horse beneath him carefully pick its footing through the forest. Jemmy smiled, he like surprises and Thomas was doing a good job of keeping their destination secret. Soon came the faint sound of distant voices talking and other sounds of hammering, sawing, of men working. These sounds gradually grew closer and much more distinct. Then Jemmy's horse stopped.
"Have we arrived, Thomas?" Jemmy asked while looking excitedly around, despite the blindfold.
"We have," Jefferson replied and removed Jemmy's blindfold.
Jemmy blinked several times while his eyes adjusted to the sight before him. Thomas had led them to a large clearing in the forest. They were surrounded by the green wall of dense trees on all sides. Before them in the clearing Jemmy recognized a gigantic Indian burial mound. These mounds were occasionally found in the forests of Virginia, but Jemmy had never seen one before.
Most remarkable was the swarm of African slaves who busily scurried over and about this mound. The sight reminded Jemmy of ants on an anthill. These workers scrambled up and down ladders and scaffolding that had been built on sections of the mound. In other areas new scaffolds were being constructed. Slaves were hammering, sawing, and carrying lumber as the new scaffolding grew like a cage around the burial mound.
A group of slaves were digging on top of the mound while others tunneled into the sides from ground level. Workers with pics, shovels and wheel barrows of dirt were everywhere. This organized chaos was forced labor under the direction and threat of Jefferson's overseers armed with guns and whips.
Jefferson gave Jemmy a satisfied look, "Well, what do you think?"
Jemmy's wide eyes darted all around, he had never seen anything like this. "Oh Thomas, I never expected this…very exciting!" he said, "You're excavating a native burial mound." Then he frowned slightly, "But why, Thomas?"
"I brought you here Jemmy, to show you why," Jefferson said and nodded toward a line of tents along the far edge of the clearing and they rode slowly in that direction. They rode through a sea of men scrambling in every direction, each intent on their own task.
As they rode on Jefferson explained, "Months ago, my surveyors stumbled across this burial mound quite by accident. I have some interest in archeology and began this dig as a purely scientific project to research the ancient peoples who once inhabited this area."
"Always the scientist, aren't you Thomas? Always studying and investigating. How interesting," Jemmy exclaimed.
"Indeed," Jefferson replied, "then a recent discovery here led me to expand to a much larger operation. Now, what is happening here needs to remain secret for the time being and you will soon understand why."
"I am simply giddy with anticipation," Jemmy giggled. This was an immense project, and Jemmy said, "Thomas, this must be a rather expensive project you've begun."
Jefferson smiled slightly, "Fear not my good man, you will soon understand everything."
They stopped outside of a very large tent protected on all sides by armed men. Jefferson dismounted and a guard stepped forward to take his horse, "Where is Mr. Varek?" Jefferson asked.
"Inside sir," the man replied and nodded toward the tent.
Jemmy was still looking all around him and Jefferson called, "Climb down, Mr. Madison this is what we have come to see."
To Be Continued in Chapter 4 – The Winds of Change