The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-06

caravan tracks to Fez. It is necessary, however. that you should camp near a village or center of population, and have a guard at night. The soldier who accompanies you can demand guard. and will parade with an air of authori- ty dozen ragamufflns armed with long guns that have flint locks. and no pow der CT ball. Squatting before each tent, they keep themselves-and you aIso-aWake with incessant clamor until you hear their snOres with a sigh of re- lief. At Araishfa We were denied these guardians, but were not aware of the neglect until morning, for our men maintained the clamor if not the watch. At breakfast a pormanteau was missed, and it was seen that one of the tents had been entered during the night. The occupants of the tent had been dis turbed. but, thinking that some animal had strayed into their quarters, gave no heed. Bank notes and papers were scattered over the floor, and a riding habit and a silver pin-CushiOn were picked up i'm the open. There could be no doubt that robber had taken ad- vantage of our unguarded state. Re moving some of the pegs, he had craWled into the tent after greasing his naked body to evade grasp. Our little soldier gave his turban a twist. girded on his sword and rode off to the village. Of course, they knew nothing. Allah would bear witness to their innocence! Now, in this country of primitive in- stincts and habits, where force alone is law, there is an ancient and rough form of justice which makes the community responsible for the misdeeds of the in dividual. For the better protection of others who might have occasion to trust the hospitality of this tribe, we resolved to carry hostages to the Basha, or Gov ernor of Alcazar.
 The soldier called for volunteers, and we sallied forth. The villagers, seeing half a dozen men, with soldier in their midst advancing towards them, were not slow to suspect our purpose. Most of the men took to their heels; but our young men were fleet of foot, and two prisoners were quickly secured. A third, disdaining fight, allowed himself to be taken without protest. He was an elderly man, on whose gray hair we should have had pity had it not been he who refused the guard. The captives were brought into the camp, followed by a crowd of women and children, who raised loud laments. They submitted without a murmur to have their hands bound, and, squatting on the ground. accepted their fate with Oriental calm ness. Fred by the success of this raid. our little soldier resolved on another att tack. "Yallahm he shouted, and for struggled the raiders. By this time the village was alarmed. Horsemen dashed hither and thither, collecting cattle and sheep, and driving them to the back of the hamlet. Arraying themselves in front, the people shouted defiance, and, led by three mounted men with drawn swords, moved stead fly down upon us. At this unexpected display of resistance, the courage of our soldier vanished. Handing his sword our sole weapon-tO an active young Moor, he ordered retreat and we discreetly fell back on the camp. Sat isfied that we had no design on their cattle, the villagers adopted more conciliatory attitude. While the men looked on from afar women with ba- bies slung from their backh drew near with pleading voice and gesture. But we hardened our hearts, and were not to be moved even by the caresses law ished upon our horses. The suppliants went back to the village, and returned presently with peace offerings-bowls of milk and eggs, and a fine fatbA sheep, which they tied in front of the tent. As these gifts failed to soften our hearts, the men of the village brought us another prisoner and, seating them selves in circle near the camp awaited the outcome of this extraordinary gene rosity at the expense of their unhappy tribesman. On what principle they chose the scapegoat I cannot say. He may be the ne-er- do-weel of the con- munity, or he may have few friends. At any rate, none paid him attention save woman who wept upon his breast
 Meanwhile we had dispa tened mes senger for the Sheik of the village. He was at the soko or market three or four miles away, and one of the pris- oners olunteered to act as guide, leav- ing in pledge his brother, who was al- ready captive. In two or three hours the Sheik arfived-a dignified old man, riding on a donkey. To him we made known our grievances offering to re- lease the prisoners and to say nothing about the robbery if the portmanteau was returned. He promised to do his best, and we at once prepared to re- sume our journey, Women brought ge- labs and heavier clothing and with many lamentations placed them on the shoulders of the martyrs, who stood impassive as though carved out of stone. The leave-taking must have been a most distressing spectacle to any one who had no experience of the peo- pie. Casting themselves on the ground, some of the women scattered handfuls of wet earth over head and breast. Others made pretence of tearing their faces, but were careful to keep their nails at safe distance. Several of the younger and better-favored hung round