s face. "Your conversation to-night for a
moment aroused memories which I have long sought to stifle.--Lad," he
said, laying a hand impressively on Mariano's arm, "take the advice that
Bacri gave you. I was once as you are. I came here--years ago--with a
father like thine; but he was an older and a feebler man. Like you, I
fought against our fate with the ferocity of a wild beast, and they
tortured me until my life hung by a thread, for I could not endure to
see the old man beaten. As you said just now, `you cannot wonder that I
found it impossible to submit,' but they taught me to submit. Oh! they
are clever devils in their cruelty. They saw that I cared not for my
life, but they also saw that I suffered through my father, and at last
when _I_ became rebellious they beat _him_. _That_ tamed me, and taught
me submission. The old one who lies there was a friend and comrade in
sorrow of the dear father who was set free a year ago. I lay thinking
of them both to-night, and when I saw you two taking the first steps on
the weary path which I have trod so long--and have now, methinks,
well-nigh finished--I could not restrain myself. But go--get all the
rest you can. We cannot afford to waste the hours in talk. Only be
sure, lad, that you take the Jew's advice--submit."

Without replying, the father and son crept back to their hard couch.
Had they been in more comfortable circumstances their thoughts might
have caused them to toss in feverish restlessness, but sheer muscular
exhaustion, acting on healthy frames, caused them to fall at once into a
deep slumber, from which they were rudely aroused next morning at four
o'clock to proceed to the Marina, where they were to be engaged that day
on certain repairs connected with the bulwarks of the harbour.

On the way down they were joined by an old man in a semi-clerical
costume, whose gentle demeanour appeared to modify even the cruel nature
of their savage guards, for they ceased to crack their whips at his
approach, and treated him with marked respect.

Some of the slaves appeared to brighten into new creatures on beholding
him, and spoke to him in earnest tones, addressing him as Padre
Giovanni.

The padre had a consoling word for all, and appeared to be well
acquainted with the various languages in which they spoke.

Approaching Francisco and his son he walked beside them.

"Thou hast arrived but recently, methinks?" he said in a tone of
commiseration, "and h