Corsair by Tim Severin Page B

that he intended to check the identities of the captives on the Dey’s list because it was not unknown for impostors to pretend to be dead or missing prisoners in the hopes of obtaining their freedom. In addition, Abercrombie saw it as his duty to make sure that the captives were in good health. It would be a waste of funds, he primly reminded Martin, to ransom an invalid who would then die on the way home.
    The audit was well into its second day by the time that Martin and the commissioner, accompanied by their dragoman, arrived at the bagnio where Hector and Dan were being held. According to the official list there were no more than half a dozen English prisoners in the bagnio, and it was clear to Martin that Abercrombie was eager to finish up quickly. A lieutenant of janissaries met them at the gate. After apologising for the Guardian Pasha’s absence, he informed his visitors that all the English prisoners were assembled and ready for their interviews. He then ushered them into the interview room where Martin found the vekil hardj, the Dey’s under-treasurer, already waiting. With him was the Greek slave whom Martin remembered as the interpreter who assisted when new captives were landed in the port. Martin also noted that the interviews were to be held in the same room where new prisoners had their iron anklets fitted. A number of these chains and anklets had been left on display. Wryly he surmised that these manacles were a deliberate encouragement for the commissioner to pay generously for the prisoners’ release.
    The half-dozen cases were soon dealt with, and Abercrombie was gathering up his documents and about to take his leave when the Greek, on a quiet suggestion from the vekil hardj, spoke up.
    ‘Your Excellency, my master asks if you will be interviewing the other slaves today, or do you wish to return tomorrow?’
    The commissioner kept his dour expression. Turning to Martin, he asked, ‘What other prisoners? I hope this is not just an attempt to extract additional funds. We have already exceeded our budget as it is. According to the register, there are no other English captives in this slave barracks.’
    Martin looked questioningly at the interpreter.
    ‘The people landed by Hakim Reis,’ the Greek murmured. ‘Their status, you will recall, is undetermined.’
    The commissioner was waiting for Martin to explain. ‘What is all this about?’ he enquired acidly.
    ‘Hakim Reis is a well-known corsair,’ began Martin.
    ‘I know, I know,’ interrupted Abercrombie. ‘He was the man who took the mercer, Newland. His London agent has been pestering the ministry for weeks, and I have brought with me the first instalment of the money for his ransom. This matter need not detain us.’
    ‘There were other prisoners taken by Hakim,’ the consul explained. ‘I put their names on a separate register and sent a copy to London.’
    Abercrombie searched among his papers. ‘I have no record of this,’ he said peevishly.
    ‘Should we not interview them while we are here?’ suggested Martin.
    ‘Very well. But let us not waste any more time.’
    The Greek nodded to the guard waiting at the door, and he ushered in a man whom Martin instantly recognised. It was the intelligent-looking youth who had caught his attention on the dock. He was leaner and more tanned, but there was no mistaking his black hair and his alert expression.
    ‘Your name?’ snapped the commissioner, obviously impatient with the additional interview.
    ‘Lynch, sir. Hector Lynch.’
    ‘Your place of birth?’
    ‘The county of Cork, sir.’
    ‘That’s in Ireland is it not?’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    Abercrombie looked down at the paper on the table before him. ‘I do not see your name on this inventory. Your parents and family? Have they made any attempt to contact the authorities in London?’
    ‘My father is dead, sir. And my mother may not know what happened to me. She could have moved back to live with her own people.’
    The