“‘Roughly seizing her by the arm, the merchant forced her to stand up; then pushing her before him (with no gentle hand) he brought her out of the cage—which he carefully re-locked—and bade her “go to the purchaser.”
“‘The fat Egyptian, surveyed the girl, from head to foot, to the accompaniment, of the merchant’s monotonous chanting, of her especial physical charms and at just the right time, in his oration, he placed one of his hands, on the back of the girl’s neck, and with the other he jerked her head to his shoulder, and pried open the beautiful mouth, calling upon the purchaser, to examine the whiteness, and the soundness of her teeth.
“‘He next pinched her neck, and her arms, to show the firm quality of the flesh.
“‘As the trader drew aside the loose toga of linen, and displayed the small beautiful breast, the Egyptian who had before haggled and hesitated, began to draw out his purse and the girl looking up and seeing the other man—a man in whose eyes dwelt compassion for her helplessness—said softly the one word “Mercy.”
“‘Then a courage born of his sheltering presence, came to her, and she removed the pin that held her golden hair and it fell like a mantle of light, all about her.
“‘The disguised monarch, impelled, by some strange force spoke:
“‘“Stay thy hand oh buyer,” he said. “Thy bargain, is not sealed. I bid for this slave a thousand more pieces of gold, and I will pay as much more for the little lad, from whose arms she was untwined.”
“‘Whether or not, the Egyptian saw through the king’s disguise none can tell; but with many profound saalams, he expressed his willingness, to yield all claim, and making another appointment with the dealer, withdrew, leaving the king alone with the merchant.
“‘“Tell me,” said the King, “of this maiden’s past? Surely so fair a woman was not born for captivity!”
“‘“No my lord,” answered the slave merchant, “none of these of the white skin are born slaves. Our vessels with well-armed crews thread the distant seas and visit remote lands in search of human gems. Our men seek some sequestered spot along the coast, wherein they may hide the ship, then they divide themselves, into companies, and steal to the main land, and watch about the villages, and towns until the husbands and fathers go off to the chase, or to do battle; then they enter the unprotected settlements, and securing such among the women and the children as seem salable, make off with them. It is a pleasant trade, my lord, and profitable.”’”