CHATTER III.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 22, 30 May 1901, Page 23

CHATTER 111.

Of the horrors and degradation of our long journey I will say nothing. Groat was my anguish and many my cries that death would t;<ke me away irom the dreadful scenes I had to witness. Many died on the way of fatigue or thirst, but somewhat better care was taken of me. as being well favored, I was expected to fetch a higher price than most of the others of our troop, so when I

showed signs of weakness I was thrust into one of the caravans, and the rest enabled me to live through trials that killed many of those unhappy people. I will, however, pass over all this and tell JOU of the day I was sold. There were about 100 men, women, and children to be put up for sale. They were arranged in lots according to the judgment of the overseer, and great was the agony of some aB they found themselves thus arranged, for in some instances husband and wife were in separate lots, and the chances were they would be parted for ever. Terrible was the distress amongst many of the slaves as they looked anxiously bbuiil them, hoping agai^ 1 "" hope that one master would buy them and those dear to them. Others were, ou Ike other hand, quite np»th*»tio as to what became of them ; they had been torn from all they loved in this world, aud seemed perfeotly callous as to what other fate might befall them. As for me, I was alone, and as I had no such terrible trouble now upon me as some of those around me, I could the easier try to comfort some of the poor women about me, so I went from one to the other and did what I could to soothe them. Words are but weak, but yet often have great power, and many of the women in sorrow became somewhat comforted. I had compassion, too, upon the poor little children, and made them sit round me while I told them wonderful stories — such as you would call fairy tales. This for the time quite brightened up the little ones, for in childhood sorrows are but as showers which pass by and are forgotten. The overseer not only permitted me to do do this, but gave me words of rough praise, for cheerful slaves fetched better prices than those who were downcast and sad. The sale had not yet begun, so we could do pretty much as we liked bo long as we kept to our allotted division, and as after a while one of the tiny little children got tired and fretful, I took her in my arms and soon hushed her to sleep. When this feat wsb happily accomplished, I happened to raise my eyes and found a grand aignor of noble appearance watching me curiously. As our eyes met he walked up to the barrier that separated us slaves irom the rest of the people in the market and spoke to me thus : ' Maiden, thou hast a kind heart, tell me thy history and I may be a friend to thee.' Something in the tones of his voice and his gentleness of manner won my confidence at once, and I told him briefly the story of my life. The deaths of my brother and lover seemed to touch him deeply, but he merely muttered almost to himself : 1 Jesus and Mary have pity on these poor people.' I knew not then what these strange words might mean, for I was but a poor heathen girl. Presently he added : ' For the love of Thee my God, I will save this gentle maiden from these cruel thieves,' and turning to me said, ' What is thy name V 'They called me Arista in my own land,' I replied. ' Wouldst thou like me to buy thee, Arista ?' he said. ' Signor,' I answered, • I am a lonely, helpless maiden ; thou hast a noble face, and thy voice hast made melody in my soul, for thou hast spoken kindly. Buy me, eignor, and I will be a faithful Bervant to thee and give my life to save thee from evil. Take me away from the fearful men who are now crowding into the market, and the Great Spirit will reward thee.' I spoke almost passionately in my eagerness, for there were many brutal-looking slave-dealera sauntering towards me. The signor smiled almost badly at my concluding words, but merely said : 1 Arista, I will buy thee.' He then left me. The market bell now began to ring, and we slaves had to get into our allotted spaces. Tickets were hung round our necks, so that the dealers might know our number on their catalogues. Borne time was allowed before the actual sale, so that intending buyers might examine the various lots ; and many villainouslooking men stopped near me and with brutal words made notes on their catalogues as to what they would offer for me. Beauty is a great gift, but not alwayx a blessiDg. When the appointed hour for the sale arrived another bell was rung, and then the intending buyers crowded round the auctioneer, and one after another the various lots were disposed of until my number was reached" I had to get up on a kind of small raised platform, and as I stood there a buzz of approval went round the ring — I say it not in vanity — I was tall and comely. I looked timidly round, for the sight of so many rough men frightened me. Oh I what a number of cruel-looking faces were there I I did not at first see the signor who had promised to buy me ; but I knew he would not fail to keep his promise, for truth was written in every feature of his noble face. Presently I noticed him on the outskirts of the crowd ; he merely gave me a slight, encouraging Bmile, but that was sufficient and I stood unmoved from that time forward amidst all the excitement around me. Many were the bids made for me, and loud were the curses and oaths aB one man after the other bid higher and higher. The signor had as yet offered nothing, aa if he scorned to contest with these brutal men. At last one great savage fellow feaid with a fierce imprecation, that he meant to have rue body and soul, and offered a much higher sum than had yet been named. A murmur of applause went round the ring, and then there was a dead silence. The last bid seemed made, and the auctioneer called out ' any higher offer ?' Now the sum that had been bid for me was equal to about £7.">0, a very big price in those parts. No sooner, however, had the auctioneer spoken than a glorious voice sounded like a trumpet : ' £1,000 for Arista.' A storm of cheering greeted this offer, amidst which the hulking scoundrel who had bid bo high for me, with a frightful curse, Blank away. Thus I became the slave of Signor Sagas tan, who took me to what I now know was a convent of holy Catholio none. At the time I was ignorant of almost all things, and only knew I waa in

the charge of wondrously kind and gentle ladiee, quaintly and curiously clad. They instructed me with boundless patience in the holy Catholic faith, and the happiness of Heaven seemed to fill my soul. One thing alone troubled me ; the signor, who had Bayed me from a life of ignominy and wretchedness came not to Bee me, and my grateful heart longed to thank him, and — and I felt sometimes sad lest perhaps I should never see him more. But the most blessed day when I was received into the holy Catholic Church, behold an exceedingly great joy was given me, for standing by the font as the sacred water of Baptism was poured upon my head was my beloved benefactor. 1 am now his wife. Look out of that window. Yon see that graceful yacht on the blue waters yonder f To-morrow we chall be far away from this Bad couutry, and in Borne brighter and happier land the sorrowful scenes of my youth will Boon become but aB an evil dream that has passed away for ever. — Catholic Times,