own; neither did he seem in the least appeased until I made
signs to him that he had better take my watch and put it with the others. This
had some effect in calming him. I said in English (trusting to tone and manner
to convey my meaning) that I was exceedingly sorry if I had been found to have
anything contraband in my possession; that I had had no intention of evading the
ordinary tolls, and that I would gladly forfeit the watch if my doing so would
atone for an unintentional violation of the law. He began presently to relent,
and spoke to me in a kinder manner. I think he saw that I had offended without
knowledge; but I believe the chief thing that brought him round was my not
seeming to be afraid of him, although I was quite respectful; this, and my
having light hair and complexion, on which he had remarked previously by signs,
as every one else had done.
    I afterwards found that it was reckoned a very great merit to have fair
hair, this being a thing of the rarest possible occurrence, and greatly admired
and envied in all who were possessed of it. However that might be, my watch was
taken from me; but our peace was made, and I was conducted back to the room
where I had been examined. The magistrate then made me another speech, whereon I
was taken to a building hard by, which I soon discovered to be the common prison
of the town, but in which an apartment was assigned me separate from the other
prisoners. The room contained a bed, table, and chairs, also a fireplace and a
washing-stand. There was another door, which opened on to a balcony, with a
flight of steps descending into a walled garden of some size. The man who
conducted me into this room made signs to me that I might go down and walk in
the garden whenever I pleased, and intimated that I should shortly have
something brought me to eat. I was allowed to retain my blankets, and the few
things which I had wrapped inside them, but it was plain that I was to consider
myself a prisoner - for how long a period I could not by any means determine. He
then left me alone.
 

                                 Chapter Eight

                                   In Prison

And now for the first time my courage completely failed me. It is enough to say
that I was penniless, and a prisoner in a foreign country, where I had no
friend, nor any knowledge of the customs or language of the people. I was at the
mercy of men with whom I had little in