course; and as I was less harassed by external violence, I began to
feel more uneasiness in my mind. After some time we stopped near a
spring shaded with trees, in a pleasant meadow, where we were set
upon the ground, and offered such refreshments as our masters were
partaking. I was suffered to sit with my maids apart from the
rest, and none attempted to comfort or insult us. Here I first
began to feel the full weight of my misery. The girls sat weeping
in silence, and from time to time looked on me for succour. I knew
not to what condition we were doomed, nor could conjecture where
would be the place of our captivity, or whence to draw any hope of
deliverance. I was in the hands of robbers and savages, and had no
reason to suppose that their pity was more than their justice, or
that they would forbear the gratification of any ardour of desire
or caprice of cruelty. I, however, kissed my maids, and
endeavoured to pacify them by remarking that we were yet treated
with decency, and that since we were now carried beyond pursuit,
there was no danger of violence to our lives.

"When we were to be set again on horseback, my maids clung round
me, and refused to be parted; but I commanded them not to irritate
those who had us in their power. We travelled the remaining part
of the day through an unfrequented and pathless country, and came
by moonlight to the side of a hill, where the rest of the troop was
stationed. Their tents were pitched and their fires kindled, and
our chief was welcomed as a man much beloved by his dependents.

"We were received into a large tent, where we found women who had
attended their husbands in the expedition. They set before us the
supper which they had provided, and I ate it rather to encourage my
maids than to comply with any appetite of my own. When the meat