It was an idea whose time had come. The Hayes plantation would stable and mate the prime African lines: breed, raise and season slaves. Carlton Hayes would produce a superlative crop. But Carlton's "crop" were also his companions, Prince was his childhood playmate. Ella was his bedwnch and confidante. Claudius was hia advisor as well as his manservant. And the situation grew even more complicated when Carlton married, and his beautiful wife found temptation she could not resist.