e work.

"Most of the men had been disposed of, when an old Moor in magnificent
costume, and several attendants, entered the bazaar. The prices of the
men who remained, consisting of the boatswain and his mate, the gunner
and three of his crew, all standing six feet high, with broad shoulders,
had been considerably raised, but no bidders were forthcoming.

"I thought that the Moorish chief would have bought them, but on hearing
the price named he turned away and pointed to Mr Kerridge and the two
boys. Satisfied with the sum asked, he at once paid it down, and they
were transferred to the care of his black attendants. On seeing this
the old woman rushed up to him, and by signs entreated that he would
purchase her, amid much laughter, and finding that a very trifling
amount was placed on her, he paid it over. I was thankful to find that
the whole four were thus purchased by one master, and was wondering what
would become of me, when the old Moor, looking into his purse, seemed to
discover that he had sufficient for the purchase of another slave.
After examining each of the officers, to my great satisfaction he fixed
on me, for I had a fancy that he was likely to prove more kind-hearted
than most of his countrymen, and that I might be of use to the young
ladies and their father.

"Apparently well pleased with his purchases, the old Moor left the
bazaar followed by his attendants, who led us along. Outside we found
several camels, on which the whole party being mounted, we set off,
following a road towards the interior. Although our chance of escape
would be greatly lessened by being at a distance from the coast, I was
thankful to get out of the town. At last we arrived at what looked like
a large farm. It was the chief's residence, a number of smaller
buildings surrounding it, and at the back large gardens, shaded by fine
trees, with ponds and fountains and flower beds. The whole was under
the care of a big black fellow, to whose charge Mr Kerridge and I were
committed. We found that it was intended we should labour in the
garden, while the two seeming boys were destined to attend on the old
chief, and Margaret on his wives and children. Our lot was thus happier
than we could have expected, still there was the fear that the sex of
the young ladies might be discovered, though, with Margaret's help, we
hoped that this might be avoided. Of course, from the first Mr
Kerridge and I discussed the possibility of es