Page:Dick Sands the Boy Captain.djvu/393

 MARKET-DAY, 365 The usual measure by whîch they are sold îs Ûitfrasilah^ cbntaînîng a weîght of about 70 Ibs. I-ivîngstone, Cameroq and Stanley always took care to be well provided with this kîhd ôf currency. In defeult of beads, the picé, a Zanzibar coîn worth somethîng more than a farthing, and vioon- gooas^ shells peculiar to the East Coast, are recognized as a médium of exchange in the market Amongst the cannibal tribes a certain value is attached to human teeth, and at the lakoni some natives might be seen wearing strings of teeth, the owners of which they had probably, at some previous tîme, devoured. This species of currency, however, was falling rapidly into disuse. Towards the middle of the day the excitement of the market reached its highest pitch, and the uproar became perfectly deafening. The voices of the eager sellers mingled with those of indignant and overcharged customcrs ; fights were numerous, and as there was an utter absence of àny kind of police, no effort was made to restore peace or order amongst the unruly crowd. It was just noon when Alvez gave orders that the slaves hé wished to dispose of should be placed on view. There- vpon* nearly two thousand unfortunates were brought forward, many of whom had been confined in the dealer*s. barracks for several months. Most of the stock, however, had been so carefuUy attended to that they were in good condition, and it was only the last batch that looked as if they would be improved by another month's rest ; but as the demand upon the East Coast was now very large, Alvez hoped to get a good price for ail, and determined to part with even the last arrivais for whatever sum he could ôbtain. Amongst thèse latter, whom the havildars drove like a herd of cattle- into the middle of the chitoka, were Tom and hîs three friends. They were closely chained, and rage and shame wére depicted in their countenances. Bat passed a quick and scrutinizing gaze around him, and saîd to the others, — "I do net see Mr. Dick." Tom answered mournfully, —