CHAPTER XL.
Of our escape from Barbary, of the pursuit and horrid, fearful slaughter that followed, together with other moving circumstances.
So Groves, as my man was named, told me how he and eight other poor Englishmen, sharing the same bagnio, had endured the hardships and misery of slavery, some for thirteen, and none less than seven, years; how for three years they had been working a secret tunnel by which they could escape from their bagnio (in which they were locked up every night at sundown) at any moment; how for six months, since the completion of their tunnel, they had been watching a favourable opportunity to seize a ship and make good their escape (seven of them being mariners); and how now they were, by tedious suspense, wrought to such a pitch of desperation that they were ripe for any means of winning their freedom. "And here," says he, in conclusion, "hath merciful Providence given us the power to save not only ourselves from this accursed bondage, but you, also, if you are minded to join us."
Asking him how he proposed to accomplish this end, he replies:
"’Tis as easy as kiss your hand. First, do you accept Haroun's offer?"
"I have," says I.
"Good!" says he, rubbing his hands, and speaking thick with joy. "You may be sure that Mohand will suffer no
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