Американские боги

           Shenodded,andthenhervisionsmearedandblurredwithtears,andshewailed.Togethertheyweretwins,magical,powerful.Aparttheyweretwochildreninpain.

           Sheneversawhimagainbutonce,andneverinlife.

           ThisiswhathappenedtoAgasu.Firsttheytookhimtoaseasoningfarm,wheretheywhippedhimdailyforthethingshedidanddidn’tdo,theytaughthimasmatteringofEnglishandtheygavehimthenameofInkyJack,forthedarknessofhisskin.Whenheranawaytheyhuntedhimdownwithdogsandbroughthimback,andcutoffatoewithachisel,toteachhimalessonhewouldnotforget.Hewouldhavestarvedhimselftodeath,butwhenherefusedtoeathisfrontteethwerebrokenandthingruelwasforcedintohismouth,untilhehadnochoicebuttoswallowortochoke.

           EveninthosetimestheypreferredslavesbornintocaptivitytothosebroughtoverfromAfrica.Thefree-bornslavestriedtorun,ortheytriedtodie,andeitherway,therewenttheprofits.

           WhenInkyJackwassixteenhewassold,withseveralotherslaves,toasugarplantationonSt.Domingue.TheycalledhimHyacinth,thebig,broken-toothedslave.Hemetanoldwomanfromhisownvillageonthatplantation—shehadbeenahouseslavebeforeherfingersbecametoognarledandarthritic—whotoldhimthatthewhitesintentionallysplitupcaptivesfromthesametownsandvillagesandregions,toavoidinsurrectionandrevolts.Theydidnotlikeitwhenslavesspoketoeachotherintheirownlanguages.