Page 17 of Master of Paradise
"Depends on the price," Nick said. "Reckonyou'll give me a good price on a dozen?"
The dealer rubbed his hands together at thethought of such a sale.
Nicholas picked men with good shoulders, armsand flanks, without worrying too much about their ages. In the endhe could only afford ten men. He got them for eight thousand, andwent into the office.
A stack of blank bills of sale sat on atable, and the dealer made out ten bills exactly the same, exceptfor the name of each slave.
State of South Carolina. Know all men bythese presents, that I, Jack Wilkinson of Charleston, for and inconsideration of the sum of eight hundred dollars to me in handpaid, at an before the sealing and delivery of these presents byNicholas Peacock (the receipt thereof I do hereby acknowledge) havebargained and sold, and by these presents do bargain, sell anddeliver to the said Nicholas Peacock, a negro slave named Brutus,to have and to hold the said Brutus unto the said Nicholas Peacock,his Executors, Administrators and assigns to his and their onlyproper use and behoof forever.
"Keep them for me until tomorrow," Nicholasinstructed, glad that the distasteful business was done.
As they walked past the black women, Nicholaswas disgusted to see the prospective buyers fingering the nakedwomen, displayed for their pleasure. The wenches vied with eachother for who would be chosen first. The inviting glances weretransferred to him as he approached, and he found he had to lookaway from such an abomination.
Away from the other females, standing aloofand alone was a tall, slim black girl. The look she gave himrepelled rather than attracted. She stood high-headed, cloaked indignity.
"How much for a female?" Nicholasunexpectedly asked the trader.
"Seven or eight hundred. If she's carryin' asucker, sometimes a thousand."
"I'll give you five hundred for that one overthere. Take it or leave it."
The slave trader hearing the hard finality inhis voice, reluctantly agreed, and they returned to the office forher bill of sale.
Nicholas turned to Samuel. "Get the girl,we'll take her with us."
They walked to the little house on TraddStreet. All the way Nicholas chided himself for the money thatwould have been better spent on mules and equipment, but it wassomething he had just had to do. After debasing his soul with thebusiness of buying and selling human flesh, he had to have a tokensalving of his conscience.
He went into the parlor and sat at the desk.He noticed by the bill of sale that the girl's name was Solange. Hedrew out a blank sheet of paper and dipped the pen in theinkpot.
"I'm going to free you, Solange."
She looked at him blankly.
He worded the paper carefully, clearly, sothat it could not be misinterpreted. He dated and signed it andhanded it to her with a flourish. When she did not offer to take itfrom him he repeated, "This paper means you are free, Solange.
"Free for what?" she asked softly.
"Free to do whatever you wish, to go whereyou wish. You can never be bought and sold again. I paid cash moneyfor you and now I'm freeing you."
"Why yo' do this fo' me?"
He looked at her bleakly. "I'm doing it formyself, Solange, not for you."
"Where will ah go? Where will ah live?" sheasked miserably.
For the first time Nicholas realized she wasnot thrilled with the prospect of being free. He tried to encourageher. "Freedom is the most precious thing on earth, Solange. Youwill be able to work and earn your own money."
She looked at him with a mute plea in hereyes. "Can ah work fo' yo', Masta Nick?"
Lord God, what do I do now?hewondered. "Yes, Solange, you may work for me," he said withresignation. "You can look after the house and cook our meals whilewe are here. We are going upriver day after tomorrow, but it willbe nice to have a place to come home to."
Nicholas had just drifted off to sleep aftermidnight, when all of a sudden he opened his eyes. He didn't knowwhat had awakened him. He reached for his pistol and sat up in oneswift movement. Then as his eyes became accustomed to the glow fromthe trimmed wick of the lamp, he knew. Solange stood just insidehis bedroom door, totally naked. Her skin shone dark ebony and herlimbs were long and sinuous. He stared as the silent momentsstretched out. He found his voice. "You don't have to do thisSolange."
She did not answer him.
"I freed you so you would not have to submitto a master ever again. I am not your master. You are a freewoman."
She ran her tongue over her lips, then slowlyshe began to stroke her breasts with circular movements that liftedand thrust them forward.
