The break up of families is part of this huge, huge lingering trama from slavery. If you've had people in your family tree severed from their family, that lasts a long time too. In addition to the pain of separation, there was the horrid dread of falling into the hands of master andrew. I have no language to express the high excitement and deep anxiety which were felt amongst us poor slaves during this time. Our fate for life was now to be decided. We had no more voice in that decision than the brutes amongst whom we were ranked. A single word from the white men was enough. Against all our wishes, prayers and entreaties to s er forever,