Page:A Chapter on Slavery.djvu/62

 slowly. Every four slaves are likewise fastened together by the necks with a strong rope of twisted thongs, and in the night an additional pair of fetters is put on their hands, and sometimes a light iron chain is put round their necks. Such of them as evince marks of discontent are secured in a different manner. A thick billet of wood is out about three feet long, and a smooth notch being made on one side of it, the ankle of the slave is bolted to the smooth part by means of a strong iron staple, one prong of which passes on each side of the ankle — In other respects the treatment of the slaves during their stay at Kamalia was far from being harsh or cruel. They were led out in their fetters every morning to the shade of the tamarind-tree, where they were encouraged to play at games of hazard, and sing diverting songs to keep up their spirits; for though some of them sustained the hardships of their situation with amazing fortitude, the greater part were very much dejected, and would sit all day in a sort of sullen melancholy, with their eyes fixed upon the ground.

"The long wished-for day of our departure at length arrived: and the slatees having taken the irons from their slaves, assembled with them at the door or Karfa’s house, where the bundles were all tied up, and every one had his load assigned him. The coffie [company], on its departure from Kamalia, consisted of twenty-seven slaves for sale, the property of Karfa and four other slatees; but we were afterwards joined by five at Maraboo, and three at Bala, making in all thirty-five slaves. As many of the slaves had remained for years in irons, the sudden exertion of walking