Page "Peter Claver" Paragraph 6

Whereas Sandoval had visited the slaves where they worked, Claver preferred to head for the wharf as soon as a slave ship entered the port.

Boarding the ship, he entered the filthy and diseased holds to treat and minister to their badly-treated, terrified human cargo, who had survived a voyage of several months under horrible conditions.

It was difficult to move around on the ships, because the slave traffickers filled them to capacity.

The slaves were often told they were being taken to a land where they would be eaten.

Claver wore a cloak, which he would lend to anyone in need.

A legend arose that whoever wore the cloak received lifetime health and was cured of all disease.

After the slaves were herded from the ship and penned in nearby yards to be scrutinized by crowds of buyers, Claver joined them with medicine, food, bread, brandy, lemons and tobacco.

With the help of interpreters and pictures which he carried with him, he gave basic instructions and assured the slaves of their human dignity and God's saving love.