Part 20 (1/2)
One by one, the poor beings received this terrible baptism, and were led away from the ground.
A batch of Pawpaws--from the Whidaw country--came next. They were brought up one by one, like the Eboes; but altogether unlike these was their behaviour. They neither gave way to extreme fear, nor yet displayed extraordinary courage. They appeared to submit with a sort of docile resignation: as though they regarded it in the light of a destiny or duty.
The operation of branding them was a short work, and afforded no mirth to the bystanders: since there was no ludicrous display of terror to laugh at. This facile disposition renders the Whidaw the most valuable of slaves.
A group of Coromantees were now to undergo the fiery ordeal. These bold and warlike indigenes of Africa evinced, by their att.i.tudes and actions, the possession of a moral nature altogether different from that either of Pawpaw or Eboe. Instead of waiting to be led forward, each stepped boldly up, as he did so baring his breast to receive the red brand, at which he glanced with an air of lordly contempt!
One young fellow even seized the iron from the grasp of the operator; and, turning it in his hand, struck the stamp firmly against his breast, where he held it until the seething flesh told that a deep imprint had been made! Then, flinging the instrument back into the furnace, he strode away from the spot with the air of a triumphant gladiator!
At this moment there occurred a pause in the proceedings--not as if the drama was ended, but only an act. Another was yet to come.
Ravener stepped up to the verandah, in front of the place where Jessuron and his daughter stood. With the former, or indeed with both, he communicated in a voice just audible,--not as if with any design of concealing what he said--but because there was no necessity for loud talking.
The two man-hunters were the only persons there he might have had any care to be cautious about; but these were at that moment busy with their dogs, and not heeding aught that was going on. Branding a batch of negroes was no new sight to them; and they were spectators, merely from having, at the moment, nothing better to do.
”Which next?” was the question put by Ravener to the Jew; ”the Mandingoes?”
”Either them or the prinshe,” replied Jessuron; ”it don't matter which ish marked first.”
”Oh, the prince first, by all means!” suggested the amiable Judith, with a smile of satisfaction. ”Bring him out first, Mr Ravener; I'm curious to see how his royal highness will stand fire.”
The overseer made no reply; but, taking the wish of the young lady as a command, proceeded to obey it.
Stepping across the court he opened a door that led into a room, separate from that in which the slaves had been lodged.
The overseer entered the room; and in a few minutes came out again, bringing with him an individual who, by his dress, it might have been difficult to recognise as the young Fellatta seen on board the slaver, but whose n.o.ble mien still rendered it possible to identify him: for it was he.
Changed, indeed, was his costume. The turban was gone, the rich silken tunic, the sandals and scimitar--all his finery had been stripped off; and in its place appeared a coa.r.s.e Osnaburg s.h.i.+rt and trousers--the dress of a plantation negro.
He looked wretched, but not crestfallen.
No doubt he had by this time learnt, or suspected, the fate that was in store for him; but, for all that, his features exhibited the proud air of a prince; and the glances which he cast upon the overseer by his side, but oftener upon Jessuron--whose instrument he knew the other to be--were those of concentrated anger and defiance.
Not a word escaped his lips, either of protest or reproach. This had all pa.s.sed before--when the first rude a.s.sault had been made upon him, to deprive him of his garments and the adornments of his person. The hour of recrimination was past. He knew he had no alternative but submission, and he was submitting--though in angry and sullen silence.
He had no idea of what was now designed for him. He had been shut up in a windowless room, and saw nothing of the spectacle that had just pa.s.sed. Some new outrage he antic.i.p.ated; but of what nature he could not guess.
He was not allowed to remain long in ignorance. Ravener, roughly grasping him by the wrist, led him up to the furnace.
The iron by this time was ready--glowing red-hot among the coals. The operator stood watching for the signal to use it; and on its being given, he seized the instrument in his grasp, and poised it aloft.
The prince now perceived the intention, but shrank not at the sight.
His eyes were not upon the iron, but, gleaming with a fire like that of the furnace itself, were directed upon the face of the old Jew--at intervals upon that of the angel-like demon at his side.
The Jew alone shrank from the glance; his daughter returned it with a mocking imperturbability!
In another instant the red brand hissed as it burnt into the flesh of the Fellattas bosom. Prince Cingues was the slave of Jacob Jessuron!
As if the terrible reality had now for the first time burst upon him, the young man sprang forward with a cry; and before anyone could oppose his progress, he had bounded up the steps and entered the verandah.
Then, gliding along the gallery, to the spot occupied by Jessuron and his daughter, he launched himself forward upon the Jew. As he clutched the latter by the throat, both came together to the ground, and rolled over and over in the writhings of a desperate struggle.