1762
M A Y
C H A P T E R Seven—
“Everyone off!” The sailor yelled. Nearly a hundred and fifty slaves, tied and cuffed, were brought through the towns. Each were going to different places, and some to the auction.
Temperance woke up. It was dark and hot in the little compartment to which she was confined.
A man came down the stairs, and, spotting the two, dragged them by their hair to the landing dock.
Temperance inhaled a deep breath of the free air, just like she used to back in the Netherlands.
Mr. Reeds took both James and Temperance and tied them to a pole. It seemed he was searching for someone.
Temperance saw the baby get adopted by a young couple. “Goodbye, little sister.” She whispered.
“Mayhap we won’t get separated after all,” came James’ tired and weary voice. He squinted.
“James, what is it?” Temperance was worried about him. “Is it your eyes again?” She sensed the answer.
“I’m afraid it is, but there’s nothing I nor you can do. They’d never give spectacles to a slave.”
Temperance stomped her feet. “We’re not slaves!” She exclaimed. “We are the proud children of Milan and Esme Danielson.”
“Really, Temperance. You’ve got to stop your nonsense. It’s over now.”
Mr. Reeds stalked closer to the children. “Slaves,” he began. “This is Mrs. Capsicum. My Lady, will you purchase both?” He turned to the plump woman next to him.
She stuck her chin up and grabbed James’ jaw and twisted his head to the right, and then to the left. “This one’s too scrawny. Is that the best you can do, Mr. Reeds?”
Mr. Reeds looked terrified. “Well, we have more on the ship, but they’re from France and Germany.”
Mrs. Capsicum wore a disgusted look on her plump face. “I don’t want a worthless French slave, and I clearly won’t take a German. So I guess I’ll take the girl.”
Temperance’s head flew up. “No!” She screamed. She tried to search for Gideon but he was gone. And now, really truly, she and James were to be separated. “Please Miss, I beg of you, keep us together!”
“Shut up!” Mr. Reeds threw a hard slap on her face.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man walked over and looked at both of them. “Are they both available?” He asked.
Mr. Reeds spoke quickly. “Nay, sir. The girl has just been purchased, but you’re more than welcome to buy the boy. It seems no one wants such a scrawny little thing.”
James looked away. There was no help coming now.
“I’ll take the boy, but he’ll have to behave.” The rough, big man looked at James. He looked like a blacksmith. He wore a clay-red apron over black dusty clothes, and a pair of dirty brown boots.
He paid Mr. Reeds and took James by the rope he was restrained with.
Temperance let out a cry. “James no! No! James!” She fell to her knees in tears.
Mr. Reeds kicked her. “Get up, you dog!”
Mrs. Capsicum took the ropes and led her down the cobblestones to a place that was to be her room.
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