After what seemed to them a very long voyage, they were taken to the great slave-market in Rome.
The children clung together in confusion and fear as they looked around at the bewildering scene.
Groups of buyers and sellers were there, talking in an unknown language. There were many other slaves for sale; men, women, and children; white, black, and brown; brought together from many parts of the world. People in strange bright dresses were always passing; some coming to buy slaves, some to meet their friends, and others out of mere curiosity. In all the careless, chattering crowd there was not one face that seemed friendly towards the poor strangers from across the sea.
Presently the boys remarked among the gay throng an old man who seemed quite different from the rest. He wore a plain dark gown, with sandals on his feet. A long silvery beard flowed nearly to his girdle; and the boys liked his face, with its kind, benevolent expression.
This was the monk Gregory, who was loved by all the people of Rome for his simple goodness of heart.
As the old man passed through the hall he looked pityingly at the poor people who were waiting to be sold. When he came to the English boys he paused, struck by their beautiful rosy faces, fair hair, and rounded limbs.
'Who are these children?' he asked the trader who was standing beside them.
'They are Angles,' replied the trader.
'Surely not Angles, but angels,' said Gregory; 'for they have the faces of angels.'
He looked at them again very thoughtfully, and asked the trader whether these children were Christians.