CHAPTER II
Captured by Corsairs"What does it mean to them that somewhere men are free?
Naked and scourged and starved, they groan in s*****y!"
The rector had encouraged me to browse through his library. He said that ministers should be well-read men. It was no hardship for me—I was fond of books. One day, as I was reading "Hakluyt's Voyages," he rushed into the room. His usually pale face was red and distorted from excitement.
"David, I've news of your brother!" he cried. "I told you that there was a Providence that safeguarded scapegraces! He's in Algiers. He's been captured by pirates! They're holding him in s*****y for ransom!"
"Humph," said the commodore, who had followed him into the room, "I don't call that being guided by a special Providence!"
"Well," the rector said, "they
