The Slave Dancer
The Errand Summary
The book opens with the narrator, Jessie, describing his mother's trade being that of a seamstress.
Jessie ponders over how a small an object like a sewing needle can provide for his family. Jessie goes on to describe the room he and his family live in which is on the first floor of a house filled with moisture. Jessie's sister, Betty, .....
The Moonlight Summary
Jessie is still on the bottom of the small boat, and he becomes overwhelmed with sleepiness.
Jessie is continually worried of being hit by the swinging wood attached to the sail and cannot get comfortable in the cramped space. Jessie dozes now and then while his captors speak quietly. Jessie feels that hours pass on the small boat, a.....
The Shrouds Summary
The reality of Jessie being on an illegal slave trade ship slowly sinks in for him.
The crew declares that the number of ships involved in the slave trade cancel out the validity of the laws which prohibit it. Ned Grime, the carpenter, is the only one who does not protest the laws, but when Jessie learns that he earns money from the su.....
The Bight of Benin Summary
Ned, the carpenter, has been very busy building a platform, upon which sits a carronade which Nicholas Spark seems to touch for good luck.
Jessie knows that the ship will soon be meeting up with other men. Jessie learns that the Captain has a variety of national flags and paperwork he can use to change the ship's nationality sho.....
Nicholas Spark Walks on Water Summary
The chapter opens with Purvis telling a story of a ship whose crew and captain went blind from a horrible disease.
Jessie questions the story and asks how anyone could know of it if everyone died and the ship was lost at sea. Jessie cannot understand the truth of the story, but can understand the truth in the horror o.....
The Spaniard Summary
The chapter opens...
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