Read the excerpt from Captain Canot or Twenty Years of an African Slaver. They are allowed to converse freely during day while on deck. Corporal punishment is never inflicted save by order of an officer, and, even then, not until the culprit understands exactly why it is done. Once a week, the ship’s barber scrapes their chins without assistance from soap; and, on the same day, their nails are closely pared, to insure security from harm in those nightly battles that occur. . . . During afternoons of serene weather, men, women, girls, and boys are allowed to unite in African melodies. . . . These hints will apprise the reader that the greatest care, compatible with safety, is taken of a negro’s health and cleanliness on the voyage. In every well-conducted slaver, the captain, officers, and crew, are alert and vigilant to preserve the cargo. It is their personal interest, as well as the interest of humanity to do so.

Which central idea is developed and supported by the passage?

The slave trade was very fair and humane toward enslaved captives.

Enslaved captives caused more trouble for slavers than the reverse.

Enslaved captives were treated terribly by those who captured them.

The slave trade was a difficult industry for slavers to work in.