FULFILLING THE FANTASY XIV
By Bill Smith (anonymous4371@juno.com)
"Your next two markets we will visit, Mumbone in Mozambique and Bonthe in Sierra Leone, have two things in common," the ship's port lecturer began as the Fantasia made its way out of the Arabian Gulf and across the Indian Ocean to the eastern coast of Africa. "Both will offer predominately black stock - I'd estimate at least 99% of the offerings will be pure black stock although some of the Sierra Leone offerings will tend toward a brownish hue. And both will feature captive stock - mainly 'prizes of war' from their recent rebellious uprisings. Neither country is sophisticated enough, let alone stable enough, to set up successful breeding operations to date, so the markets are stuffed with fresh, raw slaves who have little to no training to date, are usually 'unbroken' to their new status, and are anything but quality controlled. True, some slaves offered have been slaves for years, perhaps since childhood, and are merely changing hands once again, but most of the stock is new to slavery. Any and everything that can bring a profit is offered without a thought to quality of goods: any sale price is often cheaper than having to feed these captives and it's been known that some slaves of very poor quality (the old, the ugly, and the sick) have actually been given away by the government just to eliminate the cost of feeding and caging them. So both markets are "buyer beware" havens as far as you are concerned.
"Nevertheless, the judicious buyer can find some real bargains in both markets. Mozambique, our first stop that I will concentrate on today, will offer a wide selection of big, sturdy, young slaves that have years and years of hard work potential in them if that's what you feel you can resell back in your home markets. It's a great place to stock up on draft slaves is you have a market for them. Mozambique slaves are noted for disease-resistance, high survival rates under very harsh conditions, and an endless supply of strength and energy when placed under the whip. They breed prolifically and without fuss, and once they have accepted their slavery, they tend to become obedient and relatively easy to manage - even loyal to their new masters once the reality of their collar has taken root in them. Some of the younger slaves possess very good features and can be quite handsome with high cheekbones, straight noses, thin lips, and magnificent bodies highlighted by elephantine genitals. Such slaves are good candidates for domestic duties. Others offered are, frankly, ugly as sin and could only be considered as draft slaves, although they do feature exceedingly large genitals that respond eagerly when placed in the breeding pens. If you want blacks, this is a good place to shop - but you must be very careful in your selection. Take your time in inspecting the stock, ask a lot of questions of the dealer marketing them as to the slave's origins, time in slavery, exposure to proper training, and time in the sales pens. Check your potential purchase out for whip weals, lash marks, scars from corrective brands or electric prods, tears from oversized training dildos, or signs of starvation regimes. Interrogate the slave himself to check out if his story collaborates the dealer's version, his humility in responding to a potential master, his willingness and cooperation in the thorough and intimate body inspection, and his current attitude toward being sold. And, once bought, make sure you have a properly notarized sales receipt, official Mozambique certificates of ownership signed over to you, and a slave well constrained with a proper neck collar, wrists chained behind their back (or better yet to their collar), hobbled by a short chain between their ankle bands, and with a sturdy short leash fastened to their collar. No use taking chances until you have the new purchase securely caged back on the Fantasia.
"Most offerings in the Mozambique markets are not fitted with any control devices other than their restraint chains. Nor are Mozambique dealers particularly well equipped to install body enhancements or control devices - their blacksmiths are crude and unskilled and sanitary conditions practically assure high infection rates with body modifications. You would be well advised to leave all that to the slave handlers here on the Fantasia who, as you know by now, perform almost all of the usual slave modifications and body adornments at nominal costs and with practically no risk of infection. Although many of the dealers will offer to castrate the slave for you prior to delivery at a ridiculously low cost (usually a $5 charge), their procedures almost always lead to nasty looking scars, almost guaranteed infection, and a 40 to 50% mortality rate! Need I say more? If you want the slave castrated, make sure that you have that done on board the Fantasia where a skilled vet, well trained in castration, can perform a very clean cut under antiseptic conditions and with antibiotic therapy routinely administered to control for any possible infection. It's well worth the nominal $100 charge here on the Fantasia. Castrated slaves are very popular in Mozambique and the dealers will push this on you routinely, especially in view of the fact they tend to think castration is the only way to fully control a male slave . This view only reflects the ignorance of the local populace, including the very ones selling slaves, on modern techniques of slave management and control where, we all know, castration is rarely used as a behavior control technique anymore but more as a permanent birth control measure, especially in their use by mistresses or where the slave carries some genetic trait the owner does not want propagated in his upcoming stock .
"Prices in Mozambique are very cheap due to the constant oversupply of slaves due to civil disturbances. The government finds selling off its captives the most profitable way to solve political strife and foreign buyers are particularly welcome in that their purchases will be shipped far away and those captives will have no opportunity to stir up the local populace against their admittedly repressive government ever again. Therefore, foreign buyers are, by law, given a 35% discount on all purchases as long as they can guaranteed the purchases will be shipped out of the country. As a result, thousands and thousands of slaves are being snapped up by foreign buyers but local buyers still persist, paying full price for slaves where escape to their home villages is a constant threat to their ownership.
"You may ask why any captive sold off in Mozambique wouldn't constantly be trying to cast off his bonds and get back to his home village? That's always a possibility, of course, but the tradition of slavery is so ingrained in Mozambique's history and culture that persons, once enslaved, think of their new status as permanent and unchangeable and so attempts for freedom are relatively rare. The fact many are castrated only physiologically and psychologically confirms this feeling of permanent change of status and may be the primary reason the vast majority of male slaves purchased locally are castrated once they are enslaved. This concept of 'fate,' implying once enslaved there is no reverse process possible, greatly enhances the potential for successful adaption of your purchases to a good, obedient, and always compliant slave once he or she is back in the U.S. Of course, laws in the U.S. denying manumission of any slave sold in the U.S. means any of your purchases, once resold in the U.S., are slaves for life regardless of the wishes or intents of any future owner. So their concept of 'fate' and U.S. law are in perfect agreement which will only enhance their acceptance of their new status in life as owned property.
"In summary, gentlemen, in the Mumbone markets, 'let the buyer beware.' Be extra cautious before agreeing to any sale, insist on a thorough and lengthy inspection of the potential purchase looking for danger signals of the need for heavy discipline, rebellious attitude, or a sulky, disrespectful demeanor. If you are in the market for strong, long-lasting draft slaves, this market may be ideal in that you will have a good choice at very low prices. If you are looking for domestic slaves, the market will be more limited, but fine-featured, good looking stock with strong body appeal are available at a reasonable price for the patient shopper. Before forking over any money, make sure all the paperwork is complete and in good order and be sure the 35% government discount for foreign purchase has been included. Don't have the dealer do any body modifications or enhancements or have him install any control devices - let the ship's slave handlers do that for you once they are onboard and by all means avoid a Mumbone dealer's castration of your new property, no matter how low the price for this service. Again, let that procedure, if desired, be done safely and without complications down in the Fantasia's cargo hold. Good luck, gentlemen, and thank you for your attention."
The dealers gave a thunderous applause to the presenter, appreciative of his common sense and cautionary approach to buying up slaves in strange markets. Most felt much more encouraged to go shopping in Mozambique armed with this new familiarity of the possible pitfalls and problems they might run into, especially knowing the prices would be most attractive.
"You know I really don't have too many draft slaves caged downstairs," John said reflectively. "I'll probably be wise to stock up on some in view of the demands back in the States."
"You mean not everyone in the U.S. wants a handsome, well-hung and compliant slaveboy in his bed every night?" Mark giggled.
"I didn't say that, Mark," John shot back. "They probably would if they could afford it. But someone has to do the dirty work no one else wants to do and that's where draft slaves fit in. You know 80% of all slaves in the U.S. are currently work slaves - it's just that those slaves are generally sold in huge lots by dealers specializing in them. My dealership doesn't really sell too many draft slaves - my speciality is domestic slaves, I suppose - but still, I suppose I sell 100 to 200 a year who are bought for nothing more than their muscle and sweat."
"Do you have that many on hand?" Mark asked curiously . "If so, I've never seen them."
"I keep them penned up in the back cages. They're not exactly show objects, you know. Usually, they're filthy dirty, stink to high heaven, are covered with whip scars and brands, are almost grotesquely muscular, and generally below average in looks, if not downright ugly even if they were shaved and cleaned up. But most of them are so beaten down, they're constantly frightened of anyone with a whip in their hand and most have almost forgotten how to talk. All you see if a cowering hunk of muscle with their heads hung down, their eyes diverted to the floor, and shivering in fear. That's hardly something you'd put out front to attract new customers, Mark," John laughed. "We only put the pretty ones out there who know how to display their bodies. That's all you ever see at my dealership," he added proudly, "unless you specifically ask for draft slaves. Then I show you what I have on hand that day."
"Sounds to me like you could buy at least 100 without risking too much if the price was right," Mark responded.
"And you, Mark. Any interest in purchasing a Mozambique boy for your bed or whatever?"
"Oh, maybe, John. It's not like I need another one, now is it? But you never know what may be lurking back in the recesses of this obscure African market, now do you?" Mark giggled. "There may be the sexiest piece of man flesh on seven continents there - and at a dirt cheap price. Who knows?"
Forty-eight hours later, John and Mark were deep into the extensive slave markets of Mumbone along with hundreds of their fellow passengers. The Mozambique market was primitive with dirt floors and canvas canopies stretched overheat to cut the sun's rays although it was remarkably clean and free from odors despite the numerous flies evereywhere. There were no iron cages for the slave stock - they were kept in crowded barracoons behind each dealer's display stands contained by nothing more than crudely made fences of woven vines and tree stalks. As such, every slave was shackled at all times, their wrists attacked to their iron collars and their ankles hobbled together. Totally unlike the last market they had visited, all stock here was completely naked at all times so buyers could see immediately what they might be purchasing and their exposed sex organs were frequently fondled and massaged to test for quick reaction and size of the organs when fully aroused. But the slaves themselves were clean, being doused with buckets of water every few hours to wash off the sweat and fly specks as well as the grime from numerous hands probing and testing every part of their exposed bodies.
Finally, John found a dealer specializing in young, muscular and very sturdy draft slaves and the price was certainly conducive for volume buying. John took his time (over four hours) carefully examining over 400 slaves before he settled on 50. Those he actually bought were all between 18 and 22 years of age; all over 6' tall; all weighed in over 200 pounds; all were extremely muscular with large bone structure; all looked to be in excellent health although a little hungry at the moment; and all were jet black with kinky black hair cut as short as possible. None had much if any body or facial hair; all had black eyes with long lashes; and all would be capable of breeding in that their organs were large, easily excitable, but not exceptional. Priced at around $30,000 each after the 35% discount, John bought his lot of 50 young men all new to slavery, recent rebel captives who were not unusually handsome, who were a long way from accepting the fact they were now slaves for life, and who would obviously have to be kept in chains for some time yet until they settled down and accepted their destiny as work animals in a strange land far away. As they were being rounded up for the forced march to the Fantasia, most were strangely fully erect.
"Why are so many of them showing hard?" John asked the dealer.
"Oh, two reasons," the dealer smiled. "First, they're young and healthy and they haven't had a woman in months now probably. Second, they're scared shitless and the panic of raw fear often produces a good hard-on, haven't you noticed? We call it the 'warrior's last stand'," he laughed heartily. "They'll settle down eventually, but sometimes only after they spew all over themselves. Draft slaves, at least in this country, seldom have any opportunities to relieve themselves sexually. Therefore, it's not uncommon to see them hard and even spurting off while they're working. Will they have a chance to fuck much in your country?"
"Probably not," John admitted.
"Then get used to it," the dealer advised with a smile. "You can't stop the natural functioning of a healthy male unless you cut them. That's why I would strongly advise you to have them all castrated. They'll not only be much easier to manage, but it eliminates the unseemly problem we're witnessing even as we speak. Besides, they adjust much more readily to their slavehood once their balls have been cut off - and we only charge a mere $5 a slave for the service."
"Well, if so, I'll have the cutting done on the ship after they're loaded," John replied. "I do understand the advantages."
Mark thought he had better intercede to cut the tension between John and the dealer, who obviously wanted to get the $5 fee for castration on the 50 slaves he had just sold.
Turning to the dealer, he said, "I'm looking for a domestic slave about 5'8' or so who is very well built, has very smooth skin and a hairless body who has a beautiful countenance and would be a showpiece and an object of pride I could show off to my friends and associates. He would have to be very heavily hung, of course, be strikingly handsome, and trainable to accommodate magnificently all the sexual needs of his new master and his friends. Do you have such a slave available where price is not the main consideration? Indeed, if the quality were high enough, the price could be equally high."
The dealer's eyes narrowed in pure greed.
"Nyogo," he signaled to his slave assistant. "Bring us the boy from the high country."
"But master," the black slave replied. "The boy is locked away in your special room and only you have the key."
The dealer shuffled around in his pocket and threw a large antique key to the slave.
"Here's the key, slave. Let's hear no more of your excuses. Bring the boy to us immediately and make sure he is clean."
"Yes, master," the black slave replied, scurrying off as commanded.
"We may have to wait for the delivery of the boy a few moments, sir, but I'm sure you will find the wait worthwhile. I keep this special slave locked away from public view. He is so attractive that if I put him on display, every poor slob in the city would be pawing and fondling his unbelievable body, but none would have the money to buy even an small part of his gorgeous body, let alone the parts they all would be fondling until the poor slave boy collapsed from overexertion. If I locked him in the holding pens with the others, he would raped to death within minutes by the other slaves, most of whom would have never even thought of fucking another male until they laid eyes on him. The slave has a certain quality, a certain look... which, it seems... all find irresistible, myself included. But, sir, all I have done to the boy so far is to stroke his body until I could sample his output. But I don't know how long I can hold off from fucking the boy, even knowing taking his virginity will cost me heavily in his sales price."
"The boy's virginal?" Mark exclaimed.
"Yes, in both his ass and his mouth as far as we can determine. Of course, he has fucked many maidens back in his home village no doubt, but totally virginal when it comes to his use by a man. Even now, knowing he is now a slave, he shudders when a man even touches him," the dealer sighed. "He will require considerable training, sir, but his destiny has been determined by his looks. You'll understand when you see him."
Just as the dealer finished speaking, the black slave brought a struggling bundle of naked male flesh in front of them. The boy had his wrists shackled to his collar and was hobbled between his ankles by a short chain. The boy was sobbing between shouts of protest. His body was still dripping from his recent bath.
As Nyogo, the dealer's assistant, placed the potential purchase in front of Mark by pinioning the slave's arms behind him and kicking his legs apart as far as the chains would allow, Mark had a sharp intake of breath at first view of this offering. The hair was thick black but fine and curly, the eyes were a bright brown surrounded by long black lashes and thick fine eyebrows almost meeting over his straight Grecian nose, while his smooth, almost poreless skin was the rich color of burnt umber. His lips were puffy but thin and were surprisingly chocolate brown contrasting nicely with his beautiful, seemingly perfect, gleaming white teeth. His high cheekbones and prominent square jawline gave him a beautiful, delicate, but still totally masculine face. His neck was long and thin beneath his thick slave collar, while his entire body was like a statue of Adonis in polished black marble, muscles were well defined but not overdeveloped with the possible exception of his pectorals, abs, and ass which rippled with solid muscle when he moved. Atop his swelling pectorals were perfectly shaped teats which were rounded, firm, and protruding a good inch or so. They would look magnificent ringed, but were striking even without the added adornment. Between his thick, corded thighs resided the most perfectly shaped genitals Mark had ever seen on a man - the exceptionally long and thick circumcised shaft had none of the usual veins protruding - it was meaty and smooth with a corona and slit that formed a perfect face for the organ. The balls beneath were like large smooth oranges, unwrinkled and, like the shaft and the area around it, totally hairless.
"The slave is naturally hairless," the dealer said, looking at my quizzical look at this phenomenon. "We've never shaved the boy - not even his face."
As Mark reached forward to run his hand down the boy's chest, he slave struggled backward in his chains but couldn't move due to Nyogo's strong grip on him. As Mark ran his hand over the boy's pectorals and squeezed one of his teats, the slave jerked in his hand and then shuddered.
"Sensitive, isn't he," Mark commented as he proceeded to run both hands over the slave's entire body as the boy shivered and then broke into sobs.
"How big is he when fully aroused?" Mark asked.
"See for yourself," the dealer invited.
Mark reached down and began stroking the huge organ with one of his hands fisted around the huge shaft as the slave jerked and struggled within his restraints. Nyogo's strength made sure the slave's struggles were in vain, especially when he placed his knee in back of the slave's rump, forcing the slave's pelvis forward for Mark's convenience in stroking the slave.
"Infidel bastard," the slave spat out before the dealer's lash smashed across the slave's face, leaving a large red welt on his black skin.
"The slave has many lessons to learn yet, including keeping a decent tongue in his head," the dealer smiled, raising his whip and slashing the other side of the slave's face for emphasis. "Please continue with your inspection of the slave's body."
Mark did just that as the slave gave no further resistance and simply sobbed in despair. But his organ responded to the stimulation quickly and determinedly and within minutes, huge gobs of hot, steaming cum were all over Mark's hand as the slave squirmed in his bonds and gasped for air in the throes of his orgasm.
"Turn him around," Mark ordered the dealer's assistant "and bend him over. I want to inspect his hole."
Instantly Nyogo had the slave in the desired position and Mark inserted two fingers up the tight orifice and twisted them around as the slave screamed, then sobbed, and finally began totally silent as shame and humiliation overcame him.
"Tight," Mark said. "How much for this slave?"
The dealer hesitated. "Quality like this is rare - very rare indeed."
"Yes, but the slave is totally untrained and it will undoubtedly take months of rigorous discipline before he accepts his new life."
"Months, no doubt. But, once done, what happiness he would bring some lucky owner," the dealer responded, smacking his lips even thinking of bedding the boy down for his own pleasure. "Slaves like this rarely become available."
"Granted, but how much, you tiresome windbag?" Mark countered.
"For you, sir, since you obviously know and appreciate the high quality of this slave, the price will be $200,000 minus the usual government discount of course."
"That would be $130,000. $120,000 and I may live to regret such extravagance," Mark countered, caught up in the spirit of bargaining for this slave who was still transfixed in total shame at being publicly masturbated and then finger fucked in public by a total stranger.
"Nyogo," the dealer ordered. "Prepare this slaveboy for transfer to the gentleman's ship along with his friend's lot of purchases." Turning to Mark, he said, "I shall have his official certificate of ownership and a notorized receipt within minutes. How do you wish to pay, sir? By credit card, cash, or travelers' checks? I accept all three."
"Credit card - Visa," Mark said as he handled the dealer his card. "$120,000, correct?"
"Correct," the dealer smiled, unless you would like the boy cut before he is transferred? Almost all domestic slaves in this country are cut as a matter of course, sir, and we only charge a mere $5 for the service."
"Hardly," Mark laughed, catching the look of raw fear in the slave's face as the loss of his manhood was being discussed so calmly. "What you're so eager to cut off is the reason I'm buying the slave."
"You're buying him as a stud?" the dealer asked.
"Perhaps, but, if so, it will be in my bed or one of my friends," Mark laughed as John snickered. Mark saw the startled look pass over the slave's face, quickly replaced with a look of pure hatred.
"Yes, a good use for a slave so costly," the dealer said totally nonjudgmentally. "But, as you have mentioned, he has considerable training ahead of him before his completely accepts his new responsibilities."
"Within two months, we've have the boy eager to leap into our beds and offer us every delight his body holds," John laughed. "As a dealer myself, I've seen even the most recalcitrant and stubborn slaves accept their new destinies in far less time. This boy's a natural whore - he just doesn't know it yet."
"Exactly my sentiments," the dealer said as he processed the paperwork on his latest sale. "But just how, may I humbly ask, can this boy, obviously resentment of even being a slave, let alone as a slave whose function is to use his body to bring pleasure to men, ever be trained to accept his use a male whore when he obviously shows no inclinations in that direction? In my humble opinion, it would be a huge task to train him to accept the fact he is now a slave, destined to live a life under the direction and ownership of others. But to serve as a willing bed partner for other males?" the dealer raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"Oh, it can be done," Mark said confidently. "First, he will be fitted with a permanent band around his genitals which will make sure he displays himself properly at all times and will help keep his arousals from fading. Second, the boy's prostate will be continually tickled by a huge buttplug the boy will be forced to wear in the initial stages of training - that will insure he is kept in a state of constant sexual arousal with no means of relief possible since his hands will be kept manacled to his collar most of the time as well as stretch his anal opening properly. Third, he will be fitted with a penis gag strapped to his face so he gets used to having a large protrusion down his throat so his later oral training with a real prick will be more acceptable to him. Fourth, all of his food will be flavored with cum so that he gets used to the taste and actually craves it after a while. Fifth, the boy will be fucked repeatedly by the slave handlers as part of his training, but they will simultaneously masturbate him at the same time. In an amazingly short period of time, he will associate great relief from tension and the only sexual pleasure he will ever know with the act of being fucked. Sixth, all of his handlers and trainers will constantly suggest to him that he was destined to be a whore or he wouldn't have been blessed with such a magnificent body. Hearing nothing else, eventually he will begin to believe them, especially when he surrounded at all times by other slaves who willingly acquiesce to being sexually used by males without question and who verbally share their eagerness to be so used in that they know it is their only source of bodily pleasure themselves. Within two months, the slave boy will be a wanton whore, mark my words, and happy in his new destiny," Mark finished with a smile
"You left out the most important part," John interjected with a laugh. "Slaves like this are given no food or water for four days so they think they are going to be starved to death by their new owner. Then it is made clear to him that he has to beg to be fucked in order to be fed. Only when he does so is he given any food or water. The same procedure is used for learning to suck his master off. Once he consents to such actions - and they all do - he begins to think differently of himself. After that, if we have any trouble with them, we threaten to cut off their balls. They know by then that they will be fucked or will be sucking with or without their balls - so keeping their balls becomes a priority with them, outweighing their initial distaste at having to suck someone off or taking a good sized prick up their ass for a good fucking. You here in Mozambique could certainly understand this latter threat - you seem so eager to remove all slave's balls even before you've introduced them to their new duties."
"Ah, you Americans!" the dealer smiled back. "So clever with your technological tricks and so organized and methodical. Unfortunately, here in Mozambique, our training techniques are not nearly so refined if they exist at all. So many here still think a good whip is the answer to everything. We seldom think beyond that," he sighed. "I'm afraid I have to agree with you as I mull over your methods. The boy will be a eager bed buck within two phrases of the moon., much to his own amazement, no doubt."
"No doubt," Mark laughed. "And thanking me for the opportunity if all goes well."
The Fantasia didn't depart Mozambique until the evening of the following night. By then, of course, all of the purchases had been delivered to the ship and Mark and John had a full day to sample the tourist attractions the country had to offer. With their limited time, they chose to go on a one-day safari into the Mozambique game preserves where they got to see all the elephants, lions, giraffes, and even apes they had never dreamed they would get to see up so close and first-hand. Both of the men got some excellent photos of both wild game and exotic birds and both thoroughly enjoyed the experience of going through the jungle in the Land Rover with the native guides. At lunchtime, their guides cooked them a scrumptious meal of African delicacies (including barbequed ostrich and wildebeast) and performed some native dances for them. Both men were very appreciative of such good care and tipped the guides heavily upon their return right to the docks where the Fantasia was anchored.
"Could we see great ship?" one of the guides ventured, looking longingly at the beautiful white luxury liner.
"Sorry, no visitors allowed," John said pleasantly. "Too bad, though. I'm sure you'd enjoy looking the ship over."
"Except for the cargo holds," Mark muttered.
"No," one of the guides responded quickly. "It was the cargo hold we were most interested in. Everyone in Mumbone knows your ship is a slave transport and that all the passengers are here to buy up the slaves offered in our markets. But we were curious - such a luxurious ship must have nice clean facilities for the slaves you have purchased. How else could you hope to get all those slaves back to your home markets alive?"
"You guys have been so good to us today, let me contact the captain and see if an exception to the rules can be made. You just want to see the cargo hold where the slave's are kept?"
"Yes sir - just the cargo hold where the slaves are," the safari guide responded.
John whipped out his cell phone and called the captain directly. Surprisingly, the captain granted special permission for the two guides within minutes by calling the slave handlers in the hold.
"Five minutes only, John, and you and Mark must accompany them at all times, and make sure they don't wonder out of the hold or talk to any of the cargo."
Thanks, captain. I owe you one," he said, snapping the cover of his cell phone closed with a smile on his face.
"We're in luck, boys. Follow me."
Much to John and Mark's surprise, the two safari guides were extremely impressed with the cargo hold's cleanliness, efficient use of space by the system of neatly stacked cages, the ventilation fans, and the hoses to wash the floor down periodically. The stench of all those bodies packed so closely together, the ever-present smell of sweat, urine, shit, and semen (despite the constant running of the fans) didn't seem to be offensive to them, and even slaves with rings in their noses, huge plugs up their asses, and bands around their genitals were viewed without alarm or even excessive curiosity.
"I don't see how you feed so many, sirs," the one visitor commented. "They all look so well fed and healthy."
"And none of their skin is broken or has sores on it," the other visitor exclaimed. "It must be true. You Americans know how to take care of slaves very well."
"We try," John snickered. "After all, we have a lot invested in all this stock."
"I think we Mozambiques could learn from you," the first visitor said. "Too many dealers in our country treat slaves so poorly we lose too many of them and consequently are wasting one of our best national resources."
"It's not our place to criticize," Mark said. "But thanks for the compliment. I'm afraid our five minute visit is up."
"Thanks for this privilege. It was kind of you to ask the captain special for us," the first visitor said.
"And thanks for the generous tip, "the second visitor added. " Both of us shall long remember you as dear friends. Have a wonderful time on the remainder of your journey."
"And thank you for your blessing," John said. "We too shall remember your kind hospitality."
As the two visitors left, the crew began preparing for pulling out of the Mumbone harbor and begin the long trip around the Cape to Sierra Leone.
TO BE CONTINUED
Comments greatly appreciated. Bill Smith (anonymous4371@juno.com)