iamond. Suppose you find very big diamond, you go free. Suppose
not, den you die there."

"Merciful Heavens!" cried I to Ingram, "then we are condemned as
slaves to the mines."

"Yes," replied Ingram with a sigh. "Well, it's better than working in
the quicksilver-mines. At all events, we shall have fresh air."

"Fresh air without liberty," cried I, clasping my hands.

"Come, Sir, courage, we do not yet know our fate. Perhaps we may, as
Olivarez said, be allowed to go free after the schooner sails."

I shook my head, for I was convinced otherwise.

CHAPTER XVI.

The Diamond-Mines, and what occurred there--I lose my
friend Ingram, and another acquaintance, but they both
leave me valuable Legacies.

After remaining in the court about two hours, it being then near to
nightfall, the gaolers came out into the yard, and we were all driven
into a large apartment, the walls of which were of such solid
materials, and the floor of large flag-stones, as to prevent any
possibility of escape. I was never in such a scene of filth and
wretchedness. There was not a spot where one could be driven without
being defiled in some way or another; and so many human beings--one
half of whom were negroes--being crowded into so small a space, with
only one barred window, so high up as only to serve as a ventilator,
created an atmosphere worse than any slave-vessel's hold. I leaned
with my back against the wall, and, I must say, never was so miserable
in my life. I thought of Amy, and my sanguine hopes and anticipations
of happiness, now all wrecked. I thought of Captain Levee and my
brother Philip careering over the seas, free as the wind. I thought of
poor Whyna, and the distress she must feel at finding I did not rejoin
her. I planned a hundred schemes to make known my situation, but every
scheme, as soon as I weighed it, I found was hopeless. Still weak from
previous disease, I felt as if I should be suffocated if I remained
long in this pestiferous abode, and I wept like a child. Daylight came
at last, and soon afterwards the door was opened; we were admitted
into the yard, and all hastened to the large tub of water, which was
soon emptied. The fighting and scrambling to obtain first possession
was really revolting. An hour afterwards some coarse provisions were
served out, and then we learnt, to our great delight, that we were
immediately to set out for the mines. It would be thought that this
could be no great