me as ever Philip or Harris were. And I loved them both dearly.”

“Then you did all this?”

“No,” Portland laughed.

“Sixteen free men and women walked out of slavery. You taught them they could be free and in their hours of freedom, they did this.” Keith looked levelly across at the doctor and shook his head. “I am not a political man, whatever my father may believe, but what you have inspired from these men and women through your own politics is a loyalty as strong as any I have ever seen. Manny?” Keith questioned, turning to Portland who nodded in reply. “He would follow you to hell and back, doctor.”

The three friends stood for a time considering the past and the onset of their brighter futures. There was a silence in the gr...

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