His instructor was a Turk of fine presence.

He had been a large landowner in Syria, and held a high official position in the province, but had been captured in a galley on his way to Constantinople, whither he was proceeding on an official mission.

He was delighted with his new post.

Gervaise, both as the youngest member of the community, and from the kind manner in which he always spoke to the servants,--all of whom had acquired some knowledge of English,--was a general favourite among them, and the Turk was glad that he was to be thrown with him.

Still more he rejoiced at being appointed his instructor, as it relieved him from all menial work which, although preferable to that to which the bulk of the slaves were condemned, yet galled his spirit infinitely.
Now that he had entered upon the work with the approbation of his superior, and a conviction of its great utility, Gervaise set to work with the same zeal and ardour which he had exhibited in his military exercises.