The San Francisco call., 1898-10-09

R ERHAPS the best evidence of the S prevalence of the strange fatalism and fanaticism that form so large 2 | a part of the Arab faith is to be 2 found in the frequent use the AL . gerian makes of the rather overwork- I ed expression 'MeXtoub!" Tt was written" Near BOuguirat there lives celebrated marabout, Sidi ben Te- kouk by name, who is credited with an inheritance from his father of strange and supernatural powers.
 From every quarter of the populous Dahra region an almost continuous caravan of people who desire to con- suit the holy man wends its way tow ard his unpretentious abode.
 These pilgrims to the shrine of oc- cult wisdom, by the way, are pretty certain of being entertained by the holy man in royal style. The heavy expen- SeS consequent upon the giving of this perpetual hospitable reception are de- frayed by the faithful whom Sidi ben Tekouk holds under his spiritual sway
 Even the European colonist must seek his aid in discovering the authors of the theft of a horse a camel or a part of his harvest.
 The complainant is always dismissed with the comforting words: Go. my friend; be merciful toward those who have robbed you; close your eyes and ears, and in three days time you shall find the animal before your door" And so invariably, common report has if is the prediction fulfilled it is hardly to be wondered at that the marabout is credited with miraculous powers
 On a recent occasion several hay ricks belonging to a rich planter were set on fire. The planter immediately betook himself to the marabout and in dicated to him the persons he suspect ed. Sidi ben Tekouk sent for a half dozen of the supposed culprits, and af ter short examination sent away all but one. To him he depicted in lively colors all the joys of the Paradise where MOhammed awaits the just. and all the terrors of the accursed place haunted by demons of fire and then called upon his trembling listener to swear his innocence upon the tomb of his (Ben Tekouk's) father The native although half dead with fear, took the required oath.
 Then the marabout, laying aside tho exalted tone. said in paternaI accents. GO, my son; go freely, but remember that he who has burned the proDer+v of another shali himself perish by fire. %
 Some days later this Arab, innalIa7 py an outraged conscience, put an end to his life with a pistol By a fata1 chance, his clothing caught fire ana when the body was found it wac aI most unrecognizab The Arahs shrugged their shoulders and said 'MektOub!"-''It was written"
 The man with such strange Douors os insight and foresight is abont Al years old, tall and imposing in stat,,,n An abundant silky beard gives to bis face a patriarchal aspect. He is yarI, a,l1 learned, having studied theology i,1 special school at Damascus, and travN eled much in the Orient He speaks many languages and is considered royal good fellow by most Eurnoe.na who meet him. iopedhS
 some years ago, during a revolt of tho tribes along the Dahras, Sidi ben Ta Tae Konh; Koia1;s doubtless uaG on account of his re- ing the secret chief of the apitatous 4 uI s nes was was arrested by order of the Prefecf t'il1 of Mostagahem- t al His detention, howevers