f
one by one by means of a list which he held in his hand. As he looked
at the sturdy build and rustic health of the peasants, which even their
long confinement had been unable to break down, his eyes glistened, and
he rubbed his big red hands together with delight.

'Show them down, Jem!' he kept shouting to the mate. 'Stow them safe,
Jem! There's lodgings for a duchess down there, s'help me, there's
lodgings for a duchess! Pack 'em away!'

One by one we passed before the delighted captain, and down the steep
ladder which led into the hold. Here we were led along a narrow passage,
on either side of which opened the stalls which were prepared for us. As
each man came opposite to the one set aside for him he was thrown into
it by the brawny mate, and fastened down with anklets of iron by the
seaman armourer in attendance. It was dark before we were all secured,
but the captain came round with a lanthorn to satisfy himself that all
his property was really safe. I could hear the mate and him reckoning
the value of each prisoner, and counting what he would fetch in the
Barbadoes market.

'Have you served out their fodder, Jem?' he asked, flashing his light
into each stall in turn. 'Have you seen that they had their rations?'

'A rye bread loaf and a pint o' water,' answered the mate.

'Fit for a duchess, s'help me!' cried the captain. 'Look to this one,
Jem. He is a lusty rogue. Look to his great hands. He might work for
years in the rice-swamps ere the land crabs have the picking of him.'

'Aye, we'll have smart bidding amid the settlers for this lot. 'Cod,
captain, but you have made a bargain of it! Od's bud! you have done
these London fools to some purpose.'

'What is this?' roared the captain. 'Here is one who hath not touched
his allowance. How now, sirrah, art too dainty in the stomach to eat
what your betters have eaten before you?'

'I have no hairt for food, zur,' the prisoner answered.

'What, you must have your whims and fancies! You must pick and you must
choose! I tell you, sirrah, that you are mine, body and soul! Twelve
good pieces I paid for you, and now, forsooth, I am to be told that you
will not eat! Turn to it at this instant, you saucy rogue, or I shall
have you triced to the triangles!'

'Here is another,' said the mate, 'who sits ever with his head sunk upon
his breast without spirit or life.'

'Mutinous, obstinate dog!' cried the captain. 'What ails you then? Why
have you a face like an