I had a chance to be glad about a minute, then
straightway a chance to be sad again. For when the
purchase was about to fail, as usual, the master suddenly
spoke up and said what would be worded thus --
in modern English:
"I'll tell you what I'll do. I'm tired supporting
these two for no good. Give me twenty-two dollars
for this one, and I'll throw the other one in."
The king couldn't get his breath, he was in such a
fury. He began to choke and gag, and meantime the
master and the gentleman moved away discussing.
"An ye will keep the offer open --"
"'Tis open till the morrow at this hour."
"Then I will answer you at that time," said the
gentleman, and disappeared, the master following him.
I had a time of it to cool the king down, but I
managed it. I whispered in his ear, to this effect:
"Your grace WILL go for nothing, but after another
fashion. And so shall I. To-night we shall both be
free."
"Ah! How is that?"
"With this thing which I have stolen, I will unlock
these locks and cast off these chains to-night. When
he comes about nine-thirty to inspect us for the night,
we will seize him, gag him, batter him, and early in
the morning we will march out of this town, proprietors
of this caravan of slaves."
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