Thomas Fox.

TRADE BY BARTER

Getting to the shore's of the Badagry river, you could see the vast multitude of people wailing and reigning curses. Tears rolled down my eyes as I watched around to see the faces I knew. We were about to be separated I said to myself. I looked around to see if could see mother and sister but no!!. They were no where to be seen. I looked around again... I saw Bolu' amongst men and women, there was something that looked like a yoke on his neck which was connected to the others in front of him. I felt pity for him and for myself and others around. Father was now gone. Killed by our attackers..ones whom I thought were here for peace. Now here I was about to be sold into slavery.
I looked on. Something caught my attention. I looked more keenly at it..., it was as if.. they were trading each villager for something. Soon the queue I was in started to move slowly. I stretched my neck to see what it was and finally I saw it more clearly. Truly they were trading each villager for some things that I thought was valuable.
My keen observations got the items of trade ;.....

MATURED MALES two bottles of whisky and a double barrel gun were given in exchange for just one mature male.

TEENAGE MALES A bottle of whisky was given and just a pair of shoes.

MATURED FEMALES A mirror was given and clothes of fine linen.

TEENAGE FEMALES Just clothes of fine quality was given and a pocket sized watch.

True this was done.The time came for me to be traded. I was turned around by the village guards. My muscles were checked and my height were finally measured. I was traded for a bottle of whisky and a pair of shoes. I was then taken to a field by the seashore were teenage boys were kept then later to be taken into the vessel.
This was all their plan., to use us to toil their land.., fooling the chiefs with perishable items. A boy said as tears rolled down his eyes. Another said "I heard they and the chiefs had a trade meeting" ohh.., I exclaimed how unlucky. Where will we be taken to ?. I asked in fear. To a foreign land of course. One we're not familiar with., one we'll meet a different language and culture. A boy said. I heard there city is beautiful and ...., before the boy could finish his word.., another boy protested back ' who cares!!., are you happy you're being taken to a foreign land to toil for them. Everyone looked at the boy who gave the earlier statement with disdain.
I lost my father in their hands, my mother and sister I saw no more. I said ' two boys chorused back' yours is similar to ours. Who knows what lies in place for us out there. What our fortune will be in the years to come. I thought.

Soon an order was given "all aboard !!!". Soon we were moved in, into the vessel. We were separated from the females. One of the chiefs said "don't worry., you will be returned soon with rewards". I looked at him and shooked my head saying 'oh how foolish you are to believe the words of men you barely knew'.
We were taken to a large room in the ship and the door was locked. Just thick darkness loomed the entire room. No one uttered a word, their thoughts were heavy and some were lost in 'wondering deep thoughts'.
Soon.., the vessel waved and pushed the waters aback.., our journey began.