Part 9 (2/2)

”These must be Christian slaves,” observed Stephen

”Yes, and it is very clear that we are to be coer

They were not long in doubt as to this, for a nuathered round thelish, and inquired where they had come fro their adventures, others gathered round to listen There were French, Portuguese, Spaniards, Italians, and Dutched to Hanal from Hamet they formed into order, and were e of four guards with loaded fire-ared to follow, for to refuse would have only brought down blows on their heads and backs They walked along very unwillingly, though they tried to keep up their spirits On arriving at the spot they were at once set to work Though accustomed toup blocks of stone, carrying heavy beams and rafters They were very thankful when the day's as over All the tiiven theer and thirst, that they could get back to their prison

”You will soon get accustomed to it,” said one of their co the yard the only provisions served to them and the rest of the slaves were some brown bread and some almost putrid water, which they could scarcely drink Most of the prisoners were too low and broken-spirited to coer and thirst however compelled them to eat the coarse bread and drink the water, bad as it was At night they had to lie down in a place which had been used for stables, with a scanty supply of straw, and that not of the cleanest, for beds Their coroaned in their different languages till theythis is to last,” said Roger

”Till we are set free,” said Stephen

”But how are we to get free?” asked Roger ”Cannot we devise so?”

”We must try and let our friends at home knohere we are in the first place, so that they may ransoet a letter home There is no communication between this place and any European port, as far as I can learn Our unhappy coer

”If we cannot get off ourselves, perhaps Jumbo can make his escape and carry a letter for us,” said Stephen

”A bright idea,” exclaier ”He is asleep now; still we can think it over to-th they top, h, closed their eyes, happily to dream of far distant scenes They were awakened by their co about, and another dole of brown bread and water was served out to them Just, however, as they were about to be ht of Sa about in the court-yard, apparently in search of the for you young gentleht,” he said

”Here's sooat's et I should like to have brought you soer stuff, but if I was to be found with any I should have ainst the rules of the Koran Though I have not had time to learn much about the book, I know that”

They thanked Saht with Jumbo He sat by to see that their colances they cast at the food, they seemed much inclined to do

”Stoay the remainder in your pockets, you ant it for dinner, and I will try to coive you more I must now be off to my work,” said Sam

The day was passed h they had a short tiht It was very hard and trying work, and they ell-nigh knocked up by the evening, when they had to return to their dirty prisons Hunger had co their brown bread, when Sa a set,” he said ”I a you ht you froed to serve aboard, has found out that I bring the food to you, and does not seem well pleased

Why, I cannot exactly understand, as I should have thought he would rather have you strong and well than weak and sick, as you would be if you had no better food than that brown bread; however, I shall knowyou word if I can”

Thecame, but Sam did not appear, and, as before, they were marched aith the rest of the slaves to their daily toil For three days after this they heard nothing of Saed to subsist on the coarse fare supplied to the slaves Their condition was now beco They talked over all the plans they could possibly think of to effect their escape Juiers, but he warned theht very likely be captured and lose his life into expose hier The other slaves told them of the dreadful punishment which had been inflicted on several of their number who had attempted to escape, while, so far as they knew, not one had succeeded It seemed to them that they were dooe, and worse bondage than that of Israel The Jews, at all events, had plenty to eat, whereas they were almost starved; still, like brave lads as they were, they endeavoured to keep up their spirits At length one ht the sort of life which has been described, their eyes were gladdened by the sight of Sa meal had been served out

”I a you soentleo aboard the _Tiger_, the shi+p he commands”

”But the vessel is a pirate!” exclai them in their evil deeds I would rather remain here and toil as a wretched slave than turn corsair”

”So would I,” said Roger ”Tell Captain Hamet that ill not obey his orders”

”Very sorry to hear you say that, Master Willoughby,” said Sam ”You see it is not a matter of choice; the Captain has the power to make you do what he wishes, whether you like it or not”

”There is an old saying that you may take a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink,” said Stephen; ”he may carry us aboard by main force, but he cannot compel us to do any duty e are there”