There is but one way to deal with these people. No gaming or
drinking must be allowed, blowing of shells or beating of drums must be
forbidden, and every free negro or mulatto must wear on his arm a sign--
perhaps a cross in blue or red."
"Slavery is doomed," said Sheila firmly. "Its end is not far off."
"Well, they still keep slaves in the land of Washington and Alexander
Hamilton. They are better off here at any rate than in their own
country, where they were like animals among whom they lived. Here they
are safe from poverty, cared for in sickness, and have no fear of being
handed over to the keepers of carrion, or being the food of the
gallinaso. They can feed their fill on fricasees of macaca worms and
steal without punishment teal or ring-tailed pigeons and black crabs from
the massa."
"But they are not free. They are atoms in heaps of dust. They have no
rights--no liberties."
Sheila was agitated, but she showed no excitement.
She seemed to Lord Mallow like one who had perfect control of herself,
and was not the victim of anticipation. She seemed, save for her dark
searching eyes, like one who had gone through experience which had
disciplined her to control.
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