It is terrible work then.

The whip cracks every minute across some one's back; you are blinded by exhaustion and rage, and you feel that you would give the world if you could but burst your chain, rush on your taskmasters, and strike, if only one blow, before you are killed." "It must be terrible," Gervaise said.

"And do you never get loose, and fall upon them ?" The man shook his head.
"The chains are too strong, and the watch too vigilant," he said.

"Since I came here I have heard tales of crews having freed themselves in the night, and fallen upon the Christians, but for my part I do not believe in them.

I have thought, as I suppose every one of us has thought, how such a thing could be done; but as far as I know no one has hit on a plan yet.