Американские боги
Chapter 4
Andthenhelookedherfullintheface,andherheartleaptandsankaseyesthedangerousblueofthesummerskybeforeastormgazedbackintohers,andMasterBartholomewsaidhername.
ShewastakentoNewgateandchargedwithreturningfromtransportation.Foundguilty,Essieshockednoonebypleadingherbelly,althoughthetownmatrons,whoassessedsuchclaims(whichwereusuallyspurious)weresurprisedwhentheywereforcedtoagreethatEssiewasindeedwithchild;althoughwhothefatherwas,Essiedeclinedtosay.
Hersentenceofdeathwasoncemorecommutedtotransportation,thistimeforlife.
SherodeoutthistimeontheSea-Maiden.Thereweretwohundredtransporteesonthatship,packedintotheholdlikesomanyfathogsontheirwaytomarket.Fluxesandfeversranrampant;therewasscarcelyroomtosit,letalonetoliedown;awomandiedinchildbirthinthebackofthehold,and,thepeoplebeingpushedintootightlytopassherbodyforward,sheandtheinfantwereforcedoutofasmallportholeintheback,directlyintothechoppygraysea.Essiewaseightmonthsgone,anditwasawondershekeptthebaby,butkeepitshedid.
Inherlifeeveraftershewouldhavenightmaresofhertimeinthathold,andshewouldwakeupscreamingwiththetasteandstenchoftheplaceinherthroat.