Summary

When Waller brings John to the plantation, he has a rope tied around John’s neck. John is naked as he pulls Waller’s wagon. Sarny notes how proud Waller looks lording over his new slave. On most plantations, there’s an overseer to punish slaves; but, Waller likes to beat the slaves himself. While John and the horse pull the wagon, Waller screams and swears at him, yanking and jangling the rope around his neck. John’s body is covered in old scars, which surprises Sarny because usually scarred slaves don’t sell well. John is covered in dust and flies from having been run through the countryside as Waller tried to “break him in.” Even when they arrive at the plantation, Waller continues to whip John and force him to run. This proves to John, and the other slaves, and to Waller himself that...