th a little water, was then served out to each of them.
They eagerly swallowed the food, cramming it into their mouths like
monkeys, but with less intelligence or animation in their countenances
than those creatures exhibit.

"They don't look as if they had much dancing in them," observed Gerald.

"Stay a bit," said Jerry; "we'll soon see," whereon he began skipping
about, snapping his fingers and singing. Then he took hold first of one
and then of another, and in a few seconds more than half of them were
dancing like magic on their feet, imitating his movements; many more of
them seeming willing to join in the sport, had they possessed the
requisite strength. They sang and laughed and jabbered away as if they
had not a care in the world.

"Faith, they look more like dancing skeletons than anything else," said
Gerald, watching the poor fellows. The voices of many of them were also
so faint as scarcely to be audible, in spite of their efforts to sing
out; indeed, it seemed a wonder that they could utter any notes except
those of wailing and despair.

Of course, an anxious eye had been kept on the pinnace and the vessel
she was chasing. "She's up to her," cried Desmond, who was looking
through his glass; "she struck without a blow, and there go our fellows
tumbling on board. Little doubt, however, about her being a slaver,
though, as they must have seen the way in which we got hold of this
craft, they thought it as well to save their bacon, and make the best of
a bad job."

It was evident that Adair had got easy possession of the third dhow, as
the sail, which had at first been lowered, was quickly hoisted again,
while the pinnace was dropped astern. He appeared to consider that all
was going well on board the first capture, as he did not shorten sail to
allow her to come up. Perhaps he was too busy with the Arab captain and
the slaves to think about the matter.

The first gang of blacks, having enjoyed themselves for some time in
their own fashion, were ordered below. The women were next got up.
Poor creatures! there was very little dancing power in them; many of
them being mothers who had lost their children, and others with dying
infants in their arms, many of them in the last stage of sickness.
Still, some of them, on being set to work, began skipping about,
clapping their hands, laughing and singing, at no little risk of
breaking in the frail deck; for, in general, being fatter, they were
heavier than