At dusk, she escapes to the dock on the banks of the Potomac River where the Pearl is anchored. She is not alone. There are others ready to board the boat. Like Louisa, they want to be free. If only the wind will take them far away. Freedom Calls: Journey of a Slave Girl is the story of Louisa’s escape from slavery and of her friendship with Abby, the daughter of an abolitionist newspaper publisher. Both girls take enormous risks to do what they think is right-come what may. This historical novel is based on a true incident from 1848-the escape of 76 slaves from Washington and their capture aboard the Pearl.