The stern windows of this high, Spanish-builtvessel
were thrown wide open.
During a slave-barter healways became peculiarly
aware of that.
But how does this differ from the universal
commerce of the worldfor personal profit?
The voice continued in curiously correct Englishas
if it were wound up and running down.
This time, even after the departure of the caravan,
his fit ofglumness had lasted. His face which had been so stern and fixed all day
workedin the darkness. Loud, complaining rumblesin a husky voice went on for some
time on deck.
At least it was a relief to get ridof the flute,
Anthony felt. During a slave-barter healways became peculiarly aware of that. The
two Foulahs had reduced the proceeding to a swift and efficientbut varied ritual.
Most ofthem soon came to rest in the ever-growing graveyard.
Youths and boys danced andshouted to show how gay
and active they were. A few of these unfortunates he hadeven been able to
rehabilitate completely, but not many. He gave a glad cry that brought Juan running
from the wheel. Perhaps after all he could not become what he had set out to
be.
They looked strong but they just went outand died
in a few days for no reason at all. The naked, sullen warrior looked abouthim still
using his last weapon, silent contempt.
For even a mode oflife was only living,
doing.
They were just over the edge of the hill but the
redlight of them beat up into the sky. It was like floating along in awide, glass
house well above the water. A wrinkling of the mans paunch in the vicinity of its
earseemed to reply. The little settlement attracted small notice and few visitors
ofany kind. The half-breed took a profound satisfaction init. In particular they
were on the watch for slaveswho had been doctored up for the occasion.
It seemedsuddenly as if he stood close to an abyss,
the edge of the world.