Then followed four
others, who were sold at somewhat better prices. No. 6 was the dark and
splendid Jewess who had kicked the greasy-curled Eastern in the face. As
soon as she appeared upon the block, this brute stepped forward and bid
twenty sestertia for her. An old grey-bearded fellow answered with a bid
of twenty-five. Then some one bid thirty, which the Eastern capped with
a bid of forty. So it went on till the large total of sixty sestertia
was offered, whereon the Eastern advanced two more, at which price,
amidst the laughter of the audience, she was knocked down to him.
"You know me and that the money is safe," he said to the auctioneer. "It
shall be paid to you to-morrow; I have enough to carry without lading
myself up with so much gold. Come on, girl, to your new home, where I
have a little score to settle with you," and grasping her by the left
wrist he pulled her from the block and led her unresisting through the
crowd and to the shadows beyond.
Already No. 7 had been summoned to the block and the auctioneer was
taking up his tale, when from out of these shadows rose the sound of a
dreadful yell. Some of the audience snatched torches from their stands
and ran to the spot whence it came.
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