286 TRAVELS IN THE 
In all the laborious occupations above described, the master 
and his slaves work together, without any distinction of supe- 
riority. Hired servants, by which I mean persons of free con- 
dition, voluntarily working for pay, are unknown in Africa ; 
and this observation naturally leads me to consider the condi- 
tion of the slaves, and the various means by which they are 
reduced to so miserable a state of servitude. This unfortunate 
class are found, I believe, in all parts of this extensive country, 
and constitute a considerable branch of commerce, with the 
states on the Mediterranean, as well as with the nations of 
Europe. 
