“‘This platform was divided into pens, shut in by wooden railings, and in these pens were confined human beings who were exposed for sale.
“‘These men and women represented life from earliest infancy to infirm age.
“‘In color they were from the blackest ebony to the whitest snowdrift.
“‘Walking about were merchants, and buyers, loudly commenting upon the occupants of the cages.
“‘The black folk for sale, either stared out upon these buyers, and sellers, with a stolid indifference, or with closed eyes, seemed wrapt in total oblivion of their surroundings.
“‘The white men, either paced nervously up and down their limited enclosure, or sat looking out, with inquiring eyes, that spoke of a questioning mind.
“‘The white women huddled together in groups, with their arms entwined and their faces full of silent sadness.
“‘One of the traders approached a cage within which the most highly priced group of the market were confined.
“‘He was followed by a portly, unctuous Egyptian, whose best years were behind him, and on whose bestial face was written the story of sensual indulgence.
“‘The merchant unlocked the door of this cage, and entering, selected from among the now pale and trembling group the particular slave that the fat Egyptian had indicated with his forefinger.