y looked round, they calculated that there
were three or four hundred slaves of all degrees; some, mostly women,
gaudily, if not gorgeously dressed, looking plump and well; and others,
who had apparently lately been imported, in a most miserable state of
starvation. The sight was sufficient to excite the feelings of the most
callous observers. Many were little more than skeletons, with their
skins, often covered with sores, drawn tight over their distorted bones;
their eyeballs protruding hideously, evidently in consequence of the
falling away of the flesh on their faces; their chests sunk, and their
joints swelled and knotty, contrasted with their withered limbs.

Several such groups were seen in different parts of the square. In
another part, seated under the shade of a projecting roof, were a group
differing greatly from the last described. They were women-slaves,
considered of high value. On their heads they wore dark veils, covered
with glittering spangles, and various ornaments, though the way in which
their faces were painted with black and yellow detracted from any
natural beauty they might have possessed, according to the taste of the
English officers. Another similar group of ten or a dozen negro girls
were still further decorated with mantles of a blue muslin thrown over
their shoulders, of which they appeared to be not a little proud,
though, from the expression of their faces, it was impossible to say
what feelings animated them. Although some few of the poor girls might
have been considered attractive but for the daubs of paint on their
faces, the greater number were fearfully scarified, not from cruelty,
but in order to increase their beauty according to the taste of their
countrymen.

There were numerous groups also of men and boys, such as have before
been described. Each of the groups was in charge of an Arab auctioneer,
who put them up to sale, much in the way that ordinary goods and
chattels are disposed of at auction marts in England. A dozen or more
auctioneers were busily at work together, trying to attract purchasers,
pulling at the sleeve of one as he passed by, then at the skirt of
another; somewhat after the fashion of old-clothes sellers in London.
The Arab purchasers showed no eagerness, however, but turned away from
the tempting offers, however much they might have desired to possess
them. Business was going on in a tolerably quiet way, the appearance of
the midshipmen in no way