ng himself cross-legged on a carpet in a
marble and tessellated recess, was to call for a hookah. He smoked that
for a few minutes and contemplated the courtyard on which the recess
opened. It was a pleasant object of contemplation, being filled with
young orange-trees and creeping plants of a tropical kind, which were
watered by a stone fountain in the centre of the court. This fountain
also served to replenish a marble bath, to cool the sultry air, and to
make pleasant tinkling music. Of course the nose was not forgotten in
this luxurious assemblage of things that were gratifying to ear and eye.
Flowers of many kinds were scattered around, and sweet-scented plants
perfumed the air.

Ben-Ahmed's next act, after having lighted his pipe, was to summon Peter
the Great and his new slave--the former to act as interpreter, for it
was a peculiarity of this Moor that though he appeared to understand
English he would not condescend to speak it.

After asking several questions as to our hero's name, age, and calling
in life, he told Peter to inform Foster that escape from that country
was impossible, that any attempt to escape would be punished with
flogging and other torture, that perseverance in such attempts would
result in his being sent to work in chains with the Bagnio slaves and
would probably end in death from excessive toil, torture, and partial
starvation. Having said this, the Moor asked several questions--through
the negro, and always in the Lingua Franca.

"Massa bids me ax," said Peter, "if you are a gentleman, an' if you know
it am de custom in England for gentleman-pris'ners to give dere
word-ob-honour dat dey not run away, an' den go about as if dey was
free?"

"Tell him that every officer in the service of the King of England is
considered a gentleman."

"Come now, sar," interrupted Peter sternly, "you know das not true. I
bin in England myself--cook to a French rest'rung in London--an' I
nebber hear dat a _pleece_ officer was a gentleman!"

"Well, I mean every commissioned officer in the army and navy," returned
Foster, "and when such are taken prisoner I am aware that they are
always allowed a certain amount of freedom of action on giving their
word of honour that they will not attempt to escape."

When this was explained to Ben-Ahmed, he again said a few words to the
negro, who translated as before.

"Massa say dat as you are a gentleman if you will gib your
word-ob-honour not to escape, he w