Thomas Fox.

HARDSHIP ON THE SHIP

         Journeying on the vessel wasn't easy. We were encountered with hurdles and challenges.
       If you remembered, I earlier told you we were locked up in a room which was covered in thick darkness. Well., it wasn't all the  males that made up that room. I could remember "seventy males were taken away from the room".. I asked a man who was beside me.. " where are they taking them to ?." He replied saying to me "I know not boy.. I know not". Due to the dark nature of the room we were locked up in, we couldn't differentiate when dawn and dusk came. Getting a good sleep was hard. Besides you had your feet's and hands chained up together. My arms and back really gave me antagonizing pains which sometimes I letted out tearful cries. Food was an understatement' .. ever since our voyage began, the sight of water or bread never passed through our eyes.
    
       My heart sank when I heard the sounds of walking feet's walking towards our door. The door was opened violently. The rays of light gave my eyes an itch causing a slight headache. Other males were awoken by the light rays that gave its sharp light to their eyes. Take them all outside' commanded a man who walked in. He sounded really arrogant. One by one we were pulled up violently. The stubborn ones who proved their vigorous strength were lashed with whips on their backs which weakened their zeal for a fight. We were taken outside the dark room walking to where I wondered was our destination. Soon we came to a place in the ship they called "the rowing to death". Fear struck all of us when our eyes sighted the horrifying scene. I thought., it was really a "rowing to death". Remember I told you of the 'seventy men' that were separated from us. There they were..., rowing the ship in pains, their backs had been skinned tearing body tissues. As they rowed, their muscles gave out anguishing cries, there faces were pale. The rest of us who were standing and observing them gave out anguishing cries watching our villagers rowed to their death.
        Exchange those who are weak and replace them with the new ones 'only those who are strong' ordered the arrogant man.. Soon eight men out of us were selected to replace eight out of the row men. We were then dragged out of the rowing section to the deck of the ship.
       The sea breeze was very strong. It pushed us so hard that I myself fell to the ground. This was due to our lack of stamina and hunger. We had even gone leen. We were then told to sit on the wooded deck floor. Soon the men in the rowing section were brought to sit with us. The vessel gently came to a halt in the midst of the sea.
      We were given bread and water to eat and drink. Although it wasn't enough but it was a relieve to our starving bellies. We were allowed to take hours rest on the deck but with the watch of guards.
       Ohh'.. How terrible it will be for this men if my chained hands came loose. A man said amongst us, I believe he was a villager from one of the neighbouring villages around us, for I never knew him. Yes! Yes! Others joined him in support. But how ?. One of them asked. They became dumbfounded for they never knew what to do. If we fight these men we would be the next meal for the Sharks and the Leviathans. Or do you want that ?. No! Everyone chorused. Although some gave murmuring words amongst themselves. Then came...., "quiet you fools! Idiots". Shouted one of the watch guards.
       I laid down my head on the wooden deck floor thinking about how life would be in the new country I was venturing into. I also thought about the kind of buildings I will help in building with the people over there and later be returned back and with....., then I thought if really what the men told the chiefs were true or even why were we traded or did the chiefs sold us off fooling us all in the name of helping strangers build their city. All of this I thought of. Then I remembered mother and sister. How were they fairing ?. Was their condition like ours here ?. Or were they in the same ship with mine but in a different section. All of this I thought of with gentle tears running down my eyes. Then I slept off.

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     This happened on a different ship of the narrator.
     Hey!, Billy.. Billy!. A soldier called to his friend as the recipient turned to answer the call 'what man ?. Aren't you bored ?. Asked his friend. Yes I I'm. You really read my mind. What's in your mind we do ?. I've been thinking...we go and give ourselves pleasure with those ladies we took from the villages. You know., they're really beautiful. Said the 'soldier. Ohh you're really something else my friend let's go then. Replied Billy.
       Off both men went taking permission from their superiors to do their evil deeds on the women.
Opening the door and peering their eyes on every young woman. Ohh I've found mine man, me too. Both men said. Grabbing the unfortunate young women by the hand and dragging them out of the room. Please leave us., please. Taking them to an isolated section in the ship the men vented their evil deeds on the women.  
        Returning them back to their room. They were pushed in and locked up. What happened ?. Why are you both crying ?. Curious women asked both young women to speak up. Crying and having their faces soaked they uttered the vile words with shaky voice of their hearts. Ohh why cried the women as they hugged and parted the girls with their Palms. Don't worry. One day this will soon be over. They reassured the ladies.

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Back to the narrator's ship.
     I was woken by a part on the back. Boy get up!. Instructed the grumpy voice as I hurriedly went up. I looked around it was dusk already. We were lead back to our room and locked up as usual again. I heard a villager say "I'm not doing too well. I've been sick for days now another said and almost the entire room echoed it sicknesses to everyone. Let's beg for medicine., a man instituted. I did, but was pushed away. My eyes hurt, I have headache, I'm feeling really shiverish..., everyone uttered his own ailment out. I laid down my head facing the wooded wall. I thought what fate lied ahead for the sick men around me. I slept off again.