By Supporting The
Fetters With A String, They Can Walk, Though Very 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
passed round their necks.
Such of them as evince marks of discontent are secured in a
different manner. A thick billet of wood is cut about three feet
long, and, a smooth notch being made upon 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. All
these fetters and bolts are made from native iron; in the present
case they were put on by the blacksmith as soon as the slaves
arrived from Kancaba, and were not taken off until the morning on
which the coffle departed for Gambia.
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.
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