The shackles had been removed from the rest of the captives, and on landing they were driven into some huts which stood a little apart from the village.  Francis was thrust into a small chamber with five or six companions.  The next morning the other prisoners were called out, and Francis was left alone by himself all day.  On their return in the evening, they told him that all the prisoners had been employed in assisting to get out the cargo, with which the vessel was crammed, and in carrying it to a large storehouse in the village.

“They must have taken a rich booty, indeed,” said one of the prisoners, who had already told Francis that he was the captain of the vessel they had seen founder.  “I could tell pretty well what all the bales contain, by the manner of packing, and I should say that there were the pick of the cargoes of a dozen ships there.  All of us here belong to three ships, except those taken with you; but from the talk of the sailors, I heard that they had already sent off two batches of captives, by another ship which was cruising in company of them.  I also learned that the quarrel, which took place just after you were captured, arose from the fact that the captain wished a party to land, to carry off two women from somewhere in the island of Corfu; but the crew insisted on first returning with the booty, urging, that if surprised by a Venetian galley, they might lose all the result of their toil.  This was the opinion of the majority, although a few sided with the captain, being induced to do so by the fact that he offered to give up all his share of the booty, if they would do so.

“The captain lost his temper and drew his sword, but he and his party were quickly overpowered.  He has kept to his cabin ever since, suffering, they say, more from rage than from his wounds.  However, it seems that as soon as we and the cargo have been sold, they are to start for Corfu to carry out the enterprise.  We are on an island not very far from Tunis, and a fast-rowing boat started early this morning to the merchants with whom they deal, for it seems that a certain amount of secrecy is observed, in order that if any complaints are made by Venice, the Moorish authorities may disclaim all knowledge of the matter.”

Two days later the prisoners captured were again led out, their guards telling them that the merchants who had been expected had arrived.  Giuseppi, who had hitherto borne up bravely, was in an agony of grief at being separated from Francis.  He threw himself upon the ground, wept, tore his hair, and besought the guards to let him share his master’s fate, whatever that might be.  He declared that he would kill himself were they separated; and the guards would have been obliged to use force, had not Francis begged Giuseppi not to struggle against fate, but to go quietly, promising again and again that, if he himself regained his freedom, he would not rest until Giuseppi was also set at liberty.  At last the lad yielded, and suffered himself to be led away, in a heartbroken state, by the guards.