"Lay it here on the tray," said the Sarmatian. "But what has happened to you, my old friend? you are wailing most pitifully and look miserable. Have you been beaten?"
The negro shook his head and answered, whimpering: "Keraunus is going to sell me."
"There are better masters than he."
"But Sebek is old, Sebek is weak—he can no longer lift and pull, and with hard work he will certainly die."
"Has life been so easy and comfortable then at the steward's?"
"Very little wine, very little meat, very much hunger," said the old man.
"Then you must be glad to leave him."
"No, no," groaned Sebek.
"You foolish old owl," said Mastor. "Why do you care then for that grumpy niggard?"
The negro did not answer for some time, then his lean breast heaved and fell, and, as if the dam were broken through that had choked his utterance, he burst out with a mixture of loud sobs: