The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-04-03

his feet out of the heavy stirrups to
rub his stiffened knees, and once again
took up his march, refreshed by his
brief halt. Night overlook him at the
Hajara Cherifa, on the Sebou, where
he entered zariba. Long before day
light he had saddled up, and Joined a
caravan to cross the river, which lay
deep down below the village, q mere
white ribbon in the mist. Slowly the
train of horses and of mules, followed
by long string of camels, slithered
and stumbled down the slope. AT
first they crossed tract of stones, on
which grew tamarisks, stunted and
broken by the browsing of the goats,
then they passed several branches OF
the stream, and lastly entered the
main channel, which gray and cold,
brawled through the stones, affording
a precarious footing for the beasts.
Leaving the caravan, Blu Gidri push
ed on over the stony plain, crossing
the Ardatz and the Wergha, high up
in their course, where they present an
infinity of little streams, meandering
through sheets of pebbles, and came
by MONDAY with his horse still full of
strength, to where a stream just is
sues from ruined Roman wall. Fish
played about the entrance of the pool,
and, as the shadow of the horseman
fell upon the water, darted into the
dark recesses of the arch. Here he
passed the hottest hours, waiting for
when the sum-, the enemy of man in At
dica, should fail a little-and once
again pushed on.
The heat rose from the stones as
from lime-kiln heated to its ex-
tremest point, and with his head
bowed in his haik, he still pushed on
wards, the sweat dripping from on his
horses belly, and drying white and
saltish on his coat. At times Blu Gidri
crooned high-pitched Berber song,
but always kept watchful eye on the
horizon, just as sailor scans the sea,
observing nothing near him, but on
the watch for anything unusual on the
limit of his view. The setting sun saw
him just passing down the steep red
track, from where, among the orange
gardens, Alcazar just appears set in
it's woods and cultivated grounds, a
league or two away.
Danger in the Hills.
Fear fell upon him that he should
find the gates all closed against him,
for he knew that raiding mountain
GERS from Gibel Zarzar and the adjoin-
ing hills made the outskirts Of the
town dangerous at night to him who
walks alone. So he pressed on, after
feeling him sharply in the mouth, to
try his spirit, with the fixed look and
constant shogging of the feet, which
come upon a horseman, all unknown
to him, towards the evening of long
march, when there is still mile or
twb to do before the sun has set.
Nobly the pacing pony answered to
his call, switching his scraggy tail,
and scurrying along the road 50
smoothly that the little bundle scarce
ly moved, just kept in place by a light
pressure Of the riders hand. He
reached the Koos, which runs between
high banks, and where the ford makes
a great horseshoe bend, to avoid the
fury of the stream, Putting its feet
together in a bunch, the pony slithered
down the muddy bank, and in mo-
ment Blu Gidri found himself contend
ing with the food.
He reached his village outside Tan
gier just at nightfail. and dtsmounted
at a house Almost at daybreak he
was afoot with one or two companions
and an old woman whom he had hired
to wall beside the grave. With hoes
they hacked hole in the rough,
stony village cemetery, and quite i'm
passively Blu Gidd laid the bundle in
the grave; the woman broke out into
shrill. ear-piercqg lamentation, and
the brief ceremony was at an end. All
day he lounged about Tangier smok-
ing pipe or two Of kief, and drinking
tea occasionally, just to show he was
in town. Next morning saw him On
the road, and on the eighth day after
leaving Fee the consul, going to his
office found him at his post. seated at
the front door, and with an air as of
man who has performed a duty,
sheepish, but still self-satisfied, and
little blackened by the Substantially
Review.