Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-11-09
mo. 81
What a Merchant Saw OF Europe.
TANGIER, Morocco, }
Tuesday evening. March ID 1871

er hercules, Tor Africa. Merrlly as Hit
ting bird we speed along the Spanish coast
to the terminus of Gibraltar bay, and
now turning our PROV southwest we are
crossing to Morocco. Mantled by pur-
pie haze, the spurs of the Atlas noun
tains rest dreamily on the southern sky
and delicious breezes of tropically scented
air, waited to US from that land of super.
stition and heather darkness. While en-
ioying prodigal nature hereabouts, a
handsome Moorish Jew, Yin undress cos
tunnel approaches and makes himself
known to me, in remarkable English.
We take liking to him because of pro-
fessed attachment to America, since our
Consul has several times saved him from
Mohammedan priaons. But recently the
Mohammedans compelled the Jews whom
they intensely hate) to do most mental
service and would only permit them to
pass a Mosque shoeless and hatless. The
name of our novel new-found acquaint-
ance is Sam uel Benziquen. He processes
great Joy and calls US his oountrymen. In
the midst of his rejoicings, chords of our
hearts are struck by his singing with rude
yet simple melody, Tramp the boys are
marching" and "Just before the
battle, mother" Thus were we sent
home in feeling by this dusky Moor,
who watched intently to secure our
plaudits. He told rs that the colored
walters of an American man-of-war had
taught him the songs, bat I could not
make the poor fellow comprehend how
they had stirred the hearts of the loyal
masses Of America during the civil war.
He could not comprehend, for be knew
not the inestimable and unspeakable bles-
sing of home life in a land favored of God
by bounteous blessing of nature, and the
liberty Of free institutions.
His ideas OF our land seemed vague and
dreamy. 4 great and wondrous people
revealing il utopia. Sam el gave us some
unsatisfying advice concerning the pest
eriug natives OF Tangier, whence we are
going. "If they take hold of you and you
happen to knock 'em, don't be afaid. They
can't touch you 80 much as a hair, cause
theybe afraid Mr.. Matthews, great Amer
lean consul. Big ships with guns come
and boom 'em if Mr.. Matthews say So"
Hoping that it will not be necessary to
test the merit of Samuel's advice we go
upon deck aud talk with the captain, who
is free to caution us against Moorish Jews
At $50 p. m, we are approaching the
Bay of Tsngier, and through our spyglass
can descry a camel train winding about
the hill-sides, maybe just from the deserts.
Like hungry wolves, anxious to meet
their prey, we can see those natives push
ing out in their canoes. Samuel relieves
our anxiety by promising to see us safely
ashore at sixpence each, but here is a diem
ma, the captain says don't trust Moorish
Jews. Samuel seems so sincere that we
incline to his prefer. "Don't be afraid
my friends (patting US affectionately on
the shoulder Knock a few of 'em"
Somehow l can't relish the advice [ am
not in fighting trim. Nevertheless, 1
.nervously take my spyglass to get proper
tions. Breast or thigh, head or stomach
which is the tenderest spot of a Moharn
medanP Evidently Samuel had never
tested. Our ships engine ceases her
"thugv and we drop anchor an half mile
from the shore. Can't we go closer
Yes but these sharks of natives (ShO0Is
of sharks | should have ssid) won't permit
it. They must have a sustainance from
the few visitors who Came to Tangler.
most uninvitipg beasti j looking crowd are
coming for ns in a score of boats, some al
most naked, not one decently clothed they
yell as 80 many madmen. Did you ever
zee such hideuus creatures lis the com
monly asked question among the few
passenger, not one OF whom is free from
low to the ships ladders whispering in my
ear, Now don't be afraid to hit EN-;
knock about three of EN-" l kept my
eye on the frailest locking, hoping
they might be the intruders. Sam
uel leads the van and we fell
low to tossing small boat with
the unseductive clsmor of many
disappointed ones. With us, not at Sam
uers invitation an Enellshman. Samus Il
hates J. Bull" The dusky half naked.
half starved beatmen selected for Us,
jumped about in high glss, as much as to
say in their impure Arabic 20, TN so
glad" All seated we pull off for the
shore. Samuel is heard to say something
to the boatmen concerning the Euglisb
intruder. Now we look for the landing,
and see an hundred dueky cormorsnts wi b
hands uplifted, vociferously shouting and
dancing about the sands. Samuel touches
my coat sleeve and whispers don't be
afraid. knock EN-" turned to my defence
less "Twins" with remarks | have since
thought unfatherly and uugaliant, never
tbeless, sincere enough at the time
What u crowd of savages, l 1od1st to 90
uet before the battle Mother, Forbid
that / should ray Dear mother can't
come home to die" Some how all of the
Golishs and Simpsons of the attacking
party are making for my side of the boat
and the dwsrfs and pigmies to the other
side. Just my luck. I'm naturally brave
enough, but how foolish to resort to brute
strength when che that lives to run away
may live to fight another day." but how
may we run awsys they have us sure
Our boatmen cease plying their ears and
the crowd come wading toward us quite
to the waist in water. Zone leg as if sus.
picious of his brother is disposed to run
sway from t'other." It's no use brethren
heretofore you've served me faithfully
low you are powerless, running is no lon ,
yer among the possibilities. The dresd
'rdeal which travellers and guide books s
ia va fore sk a Quad and Samua1 M, .,,o1