a slave. Indeed, as slaves, we would not have dared to be otherwise. “You are a barbarian,” observed a fellow. “Yes, Master,” I had said. “Forgive me, Master.” He had then turned to the fellow beside him. “What do you think?” he asked. I felt myself studied. “A silver tarsk,” said the other. I did not look about, but I hoped that another present had heard that. It was more than twice what I had sold for in Brundisium. “You may withdraw,” said the fellow. “Thank you, Master,” I said, and rose to my feet, backed away, and then turned, and went again with the bowl ladle, its handle wrapped in cloth, to the cauldron over the fire. As I mentioned, I avoided the sleen master and his fellow, in the serving. I am not sure they noticed this. They seemed pleasantly enough engaged, in bantering with the men of the attackers. In any event, neither summoned me to him. That was all right. There was no reason to do so, of course. I did not mind. I was pleased. Tula and Mila would do quite as well. When the men were finished, Donna, Tula, Mila, and I, so instructed, surprised, knelt to one side. We discovered that we, though slaves, were to be served by the prisoners. This well outraged the shackled mistresses, for they were free women. Too, though they were free, they had not yet been fed. For this service, they, though remaining shackled, were removed from the neck rope, that their serving might be the more easily accomplished. Darla and Tuza would serve Donna, who was first girl, and Emerald and Hiza would serve Tula, Mila, and myself. Tuza, smugly, a small smile about her lips, approached Donna. In a moment Donna cried out in pain, and leaped to her feet. “It is an accident!” said Tuza, now alarmed. “I will show you another accident, dear Mistress!” cried Donna. Her switch was like a nest of striking snakes, so swiftly did it strike, again and again. I could scarcely follow the flash of the leather. Tuza, shackled, helpless, was on the ground, rolling, and weeping. “Mercy,” she begged. “Mercy!” “Stay as you are!” snapped Donna, “as you are, on your back, hands at your side!” Donna then threw down her switch and seized up the fallen bowl-ladle and made her way to the cauldron. “Please, no!” wept Tuza. “Stay as you are,” said Donna. “Do not move.” “No, please, no!” begged Tuza. Then the scalding contents of the brimming bowl-ladle were dashed onto her body, and she shrieked in misery. “It is an accident,” said Donna. Tuza, weeping in misery, with a rattle of chain, crawled away. Donna then resumed her place. “Serve me,” she said to Darla. “Of course,” said Darla. It might be noted that the men did not much notice, and they certainly did not interfere in the altercation which took place between Donna and Tuza. Doubtless that was to be expected. Masters seldom interfere in such matters, for example, in the squabbles of slaves. If there is more than one female slave in a camp, in a household, or such, one is almost always appointed “first girl.” Otherwise one might have chaos. The first girl stands in the place of the master. It is her task to keep order amongst the other slaves, and she answers only to the master. I would suppose that most “first girls” are judicious and fair but some, doubtless, abuse their authority, have their favorites, distribute ornaments, cosmetics, silks, candies, pastries, delicacies, and such selectively, and make life miserable in a variety of ways for others, less favored, with respect to work assignments, discipline, and such, which matters are largely in her hands. It is not well for a first girl to take a dislike to one. Such dislikes may be diversely motivated, but a common one is jealousy. A particularly attractive slave is perhaps most in jeopardy. She may be frequently caged. If the household is large she may be kept hidden from the master. She is not likely to be a stranger to the first girl’s switch. Most first girls are responsive to flattery. The favorites are often sycophants. Some first girls seem to think they are free women, until they kneel before the master. And it is well-known how free women feel about slaves, view them, and treat them. One constraint on the first girl is that she may be changed, and then find