ABSTRACT
The slaves’ Atlantic crossing had been an oceanic experience of unique terror. For most of their time at sea, the Africans were shackled below decks. Despite their ailments, they constituted too volatile and unpredictable a force to be allowed on deck unattended, except for short exercise periods in small groups (weather and manpower permitting). They had no idea what faced them at landfall. The Africans were destined for further sale, or for consignment to someone who had already put in a bid for them. This process also involved its own torments and indignities.
