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Fiction |
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Off To See The Wild West Show Part 1, Chapter 20
(4/4)
By Frank Beill
1886: Hull, Yorkshire
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(1/4),
(2/4),
(3/4),
(4/4).
Part 1
Chapter 1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15,
16,
17,
18,
19,
20.
Part 2
Prologue,
Chapter 1,
2,
3.
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Laughing Waters was frozen, gripping the rail and staring ahead. The little ones craned their necks trying to see what was causing concern for taller people.
'Ask someone what it is!' I shook my sister's shoulder. She could ask the question I dare not mouth.
'Land ahoy!' A sailor cried belatedly from up in the rigging. Others in the ship's compliment ran forward to see. Everyone wanted confirmation that our journey was coming to an end at last.
'Go on ... ask!' I demanded in a hoarse whisper.
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None of the crew or any of the cowboys looked apprehensive at the strange sight ahead of us. We got nearer and its size kept increasing. All the white men looked pleased with what they were seeing but there was nervous muttering among the Native Americans.
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'What is that?' Laughing Waters was able to form words again. She pointed forward and looked at a heavily bearded sailor standing beside us in a waterproof jerkin and blue bell-bottom trousers.
'That be the Statue of Liberty. Miss Liberty some calls her.' The matelot's words were drawled in a heavy accent, which I couldn't place but would later come to know as English West Country.
'A present from the people of France to the citizens of the United States of America. Built on Bedloe's Island in New York harbour while we've been in England.' A new but familiar voice added this information.
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We turned to see Buffalo Bill himself. He was on deck with us, trying to get a first glimpse of home. He hadn't left his saloon since the funeral of Old Charlie.
'Nate says he's got plans for us to take the show to France one day. I'll be sure to thank those French folks for this mighty fine statue. Mighty fine.' At long last, he could breathe air bearing the tang of his homeland. I swear some of the sparkle seemed to be coming back into his eyes.
His reassuring words made Laughing Waters relax and her smile returned once more. The little ones still didn't know what the fuss was all about until she explained the monument to other Lakota on deck.
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There were statues around the centre of Hull. Mostly they were worthies from the town's history. The most impressive one looked to be made of solid gold. Everyone called it 'King Billy.' He was mounted on a golden horse, which he rode without stirrups like the Native Americans. Folk in Hull said the sculptor went insane and was unable to finish his work, which was why the feet were left hanging free.
This statue awaiting us on the shore of America was of a different order. 'King Billy' stood at most twenty feet off the ground but when we drew close to her 'Miss Liberty' towered above us.
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Behind her a city emerged from out of the mist but she dwarfed its buildings and they were taller than anything I'd seen in Hull.
A whole new world of surprises was waiting for me and I forgot little Sammy Smyle and his life in the orphanage.
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Copyright © Frank Beill 2006
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