In the early 1790s there were fifteen states that made up the United States of America. Slavery was legal in the U.S., even acknowledged in its constitution. But the US did not invent slavery. It was brought to the continent by the migrating Europeans. Little is discussed it was a global phenomenon then. This story looks back on the little known slave trade where western women were taken by pirates and sold to wealthy tribes in Northern Africa and Western Asia. Many of the pirates sold the women to Sheik Shaq Hahzorba, whose family made their fortune trading slaves for many of the centuries.
Trading slaves was a lucrative business and his specializing in the wman slave trading was even more generous to him. He made a hearty income on trading western women, more than he inherited from his family before him. It turned out western women were quite desirable (though he did not abstain from trading Asian women either).
Western women required little maintenance and minimal training. A few sessions with the whip usually broke their independent ways. The sheik paid a fair price for the women and he was a known buyer. Where else could you readily sell the women with no questions asked? His ports were always a welcome sight for pirate ships with women cargo to sell, just dock and unload the take and head to the local pub to wash away the rigors of their voyage.
At this time Miss Mary Landry was discussing with her friend moving from London to the city of New York. She explained she was taking a private ship to the ‘new’ continent. Her friend admonished her, stating private ships were prime targets of the pirates. Mary Landry poohed the warning and said “I am a wealthy woman and I will not sully myself sharing a voyage with the common people sailing to the new country!”
So Mary Landry indeed bought passage on a private ship and sailed off to the new country. Unfortunately, the ship was attacked near a Caribbean island and was sunk. Mary barely made it to shore where she found only copious amount of booze the ship was hauling had managed to wash ashore. She made due with what was there to sustain her. A few days later she was found by none other than the pirate that had sunk her ship. He was a surprisingly polite gentleman (considering his trade) and introduced himself as Mr. Tree but insisted she address him merely as ‘Tree’, as the ‘mister’ part was far too formal.
“I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you for my rescue. My cash sank with the ship I was on board when the pirates attacked” Mary explained.
With a calm voice he explained “But, Miss Mary, the treasure of the ship has apparently survived. I can see for myself what a fine lady you are!”
“Then you will take me to America” Mary asks enthusiastically.
“I’m afraid not. You see I am not exactly welcome there” Tree replies.
“But why is that” Mary inquires.
“They seem to frown upon pirates, and I am afraid that is what I am” he responds. “But I can take you to a civilized place!”
“Good, I can get to America from there” Mary says.
“Well, I’m not so sure” Tree replies. “You see, I plunder ships looking for women slaves. I sell them to Sheik Shaq Habzorba. I am afraid you will become one of his slaves.”
Mary pauses and replies “I don’t think I am cut out to be a slave.”
Tree eyes her over and silently disagrees…
Trading slaves was a lucrative business and his specializing in the wman slave trading was even more generous to him. He made a hearty income on trading western women, more than he inherited from his family before him. It turned out western women were quite desirable (though he did not abstain from trading Asian women either).
Western women required little maintenance and minimal training. A few sessions with the whip usually broke their independent ways. The sheik paid a fair price for the women and he was a known buyer. Where else could you readily sell the women with no questions asked? His ports were always a welcome sight for pirate ships with women cargo to sell, just dock and unload the take and head to the local pub to wash away the rigors of their voyage.
At this time Miss Mary Landry was discussing with her friend moving from London to the city of New York. She explained she was taking a private ship to the ‘new’ continent. Her friend admonished her, stating private ships were prime targets of the pirates. Mary Landry poohed the warning and said “I am a wealthy woman and I will not sully myself sharing a voyage with the common people sailing to the new country!”
So Mary Landry indeed bought passage on a private ship and sailed off to the new country. Unfortunately, the ship was attacked near a Caribbean island and was sunk. Mary barely made it to shore where she found only copious amount of booze the ship was hauling had managed to wash ashore. She made due with what was there to sustain her. A few days later she was found by none other than the pirate that had sunk her ship. He was a surprisingly polite gentleman (considering his trade) and introduced himself as Mr. Tree but insisted she address him merely as ‘Tree’, as the ‘mister’ part was far too formal.
“I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you for my rescue. My cash sank with the ship I was on board when the pirates attacked” Mary explained.
With a calm voice he explained “But, Miss Mary, the treasure of the ship has apparently survived. I can see for myself what a fine lady you are!”
“Then you will take me to America” Mary asks enthusiastically.
“I’m afraid not. You see I am not exactly welcome there” Tree replies.
“But why is that” Mary inquires.
“They seem to frown upon pirates, and I am afraid that is what I am” he responds. “But I can take you to a civilized place!”
“Good, I can get to America from there” Mary says.
“Well, I’m not so sure” Tree replies. “You see, I plunder ships looking for women slaves. I sell them to Sheik Shaq Habzorba. I am afraid you will become one of his slaves.”
Mary pauses and replies “I don’t think I am cut out to be a slave.”
Tree eyes her over and silently disagrees…