It seemed like years had passed in this cramped 'dungeon', when in fact we were only four days into the voyage. Like many others from my village in Africa, we were sold as slaves to unknown people in unknown land. Yet again, another young man vomited and the stench of his vomit simply added to the already foul atmosphere. A middle-aged man lying opposite me started gasping desperately for air before losing consciousness. Later, we heard that he had breathed his last. Many others were groaning in discomfort and pain. With so many bodies closely packed together, the heat and stuffiness became unbearable. Undoubtedly, contagious diseases such as small pox, measles and dysentery spread rapidly from one person to another. The crew on board the ship was not spared either. The whole deck was damp and dark, and only once since the beginning of the voyage were we taken out for a breath of fresh air. To add to the misery of the existing conditions, we were very often given insufficient food. Once, an outspoken man stood up to ask for more food and drinks only to be severely whipped by our captors on the count of rebellion. After that incident, he was chained and left without food for a few days. I looked at Tohan who seemed increasingly pale each day. He had lost his appetite over the last few days. I had been keeping vigil by his side, watching over him with very little sleep. "I can't take it any more. I want to go home ... " cried Tohan. "Hush, Tohan, bear with it. We'll be reaching there soon," I urged Tohan. Tears welled up in my eyes. I knew it was not true. I did not have the least knowledge where we were heading, but I was convinced that wherever the destination, it was- far away from home. I touched Tohan's head and was taken aback by the extremely high temperature. I pulled him close to my side and prayed, the way Mother had taught us. The next day, Tohan died. I was filled with grief and overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. I had promised Mother that I would take good care of Tohan. In the midst of my sadness, the ship came to a halt. We were forced out of the ship and made to wait along the coast like sheep to be slaughtered. Many of my brothers looked weak and forlorn as we stood there awaiting our fate. Questions 1. What does 'dungeon' suggest about the condition of the place the writer is referring to ? 2. What eventually happened to the middle-aged man lying opposite the writer ? 3. Give two reasons why diseases had spread rapidly among the men. 4. 'The crew on board the ship was not spared either.' Explain clearly what this means. 5. Why did the captors whip the man for asking more food ? 6. What does 'it' refer to ? 7. Give two words that describe the writer. 8. What were the two reasons that contributed to Tohan's death ? 9. Why do you think the writer used the word 'brothers' to describe the other men on the ship ? Explain your answer clearly. 10. What was the 'fate' the writer was referring to ?