30 TlMEHRI. 
handled them, made them jump, stamp with their feet, 
and throw out their arms and legs ; turned them about ; 
looked into their mouths ; and, according to the usual 
rules of traffic with respect to cattle, examined them and 
made them show themselves in a variety of ways, to try 
if they were sound and healthy. The slave selected for 
purchase was marked with a piece of string, or 
of red or white tape, hung rouud his arm or neck. 
In Berbice, on the contrary, the custom was to sell 
slaves by auction. 
The fair being opened, and the crowd assembled, these unpitied sable 
beings were exposed to the hammer of public auction. A long table was 
placed in the middle of a large room, or logis. At one end was seated 
the auctioneer ; at the other was placed a chair for the negroes to stand 
upon, in order to be exposed to the view of the purchasers, who were 
sitting at the sides of the table or standing about the room. All being 
in readiness, the slaves were brought in, one at a time, and placed upon 
the chair before the bidders, who handled and inspected them with as 
little concern as if they had been examining cattle in Smithfield mar- 
ket. 
In both places, the price of boys or girls of from 
eleven to fourteen years was from 600 to 700 guilders, of 
women the price was from 700 to 800 guilders, and of 
men from 700 to 900 guilders.* 
In both places too, the market day was regarded as 
a gala occasion. The townspeople, augmented by 
incomers from the country, dressed themselves in their 
finest clothes and determined to enjoy the day. Parents 
brought their young children to point the ' lucky finger 
at some black baby, who was then and there bought and 
destined to be brought up as the body-slave of the pointer- 
And the planters and others often brought their gaudily 
* 600 guilders = ^50 ; 900 guilders = ^75. 
