or less dejected air of the slaves, and the soiled ragged garments
with which they were covered.

But if some of the resemblances between these poor creatures were
strong, some of their differences were still more striking. Among them
were men whose robust frames had not yet been broken down, whose
vigorous spirits had not been quite tamed, and whose scowling eyes and
compressed lips revealed the fact that they were "dangerous." These
walked along with clanking chains on their limbs--chains which were more
or less weighty, according to the strength and character of the wearer.
Others there were so reduced in health, strength, and spirit, that the
chain of their own feebleness was heavy enough for them to drag to their
daily toil. Among these were some with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes,
whose weary pilgrimage was evidently drawing to a close; but all,
whether strong or weak, fierce or subdued, were made to tramp smartly up
the steep street, being kept up to the mark by drivers, whose cruel
whips cracked frequently on the shoulders of the lagging and the lazy.

With a heart that felt as if ready to burst with conflicting emotions,
the poor midshipman looked on, clenching his teeth to prevent unwise
exclamations, and unclenching his fists to prevent the tendency to
commit assault and battery!

"This is dreadful," he said, in a low voice, when the gang had passed.

"Yes, Geo'ge, it _is_ drefful--but we's used to it, you know. Come,
we'll foller dis gang."

Keeping about twenty yards behind, they followed the slaves into the
Kasba, where they met with no interruption from the guards, who seemed
to be well acquainted with Peter the Great, though they did not
condescend to notice him, except by a passing glance.

"How is it that every one lets you pass so easily?" asked Foster, when
they had nearly reached the southern wall of the fortress.

"Eberybody knows me so well--das one reason," answered the negro, with a
grin of self-satisfaction.

"I's quite a public krakter in dis yar city, you mus' know. Den, anoder
t'ing is, dat our massa am a man ob power. He not got no partikler
office in de state, 'cause he not require it, for he's a rich man, but
he's got great power wid de Dey--we's bof got dat!"

"Indeed; how so?"

"Stand here, under dis doorway, and I tell you--dis way, where you can
see de splendid view ob de whole city an' de harbour an' sea b'yond. We
kin wait a bit here while de slabes are gittin' re