Gilpin observer., 1910-09-15

cession In Morocco from pretender to the throne
named Mulai Hafd Would Belton Hike to go
along?
He met the friend in Tangier, and the two were
Joined by third Englishman. Redman. who had
been brought up In Morocco knew the natives and
spoke Arabic huently.
At Larache. port eighty miles south of Tan.
gier they succeeded by the aid Of the British vice
consul, in hiring mules to take them to Alcazar.
town twenty miles inland. which held by
the troops Of Sultan Aziz
The sultan had issued edict forbidding
uves to assist Europeans. Their mueteer refused
to go further than Acazar. the tribes were car
rying on the 1ehad (holy war; against the Chris
uans. So they employed a notorious brigand and
borsethief. one Abselem. to take them through to
Fee.
Dressed as Moorish women. the Englishmen
reached the gates OF Fee on July 49, to be inform
ed that the pretender and his court had arrived
three days before.
Next morning they sent messenger to the
grand vizier that three Engiishmen desired
audience with the sultan. At noon the following
day two soldiers came to them from the vizier and
escorted them to house which had been placed
at their disposal at Mulai Hafid's order.
They remained indoors until the 18TH when a
mounted escort conducted them to the palace.
Arrayed Moors Of the highest class. they
were received by Kaid Meshwar. the master OF
ceremonies who carried tall wand with a silver
knob and who preceded them up a staircase and
into a long narrow room, where. at the further
end. sat Mulai Hafd. cross-legged on dark green
velvet couch.
His two viziers. Ell Glawi and 81 Aissa. we're sit
ting on his left. Walking slowly the kaid ad-
vauced to within three PAGES OF tho throne bowed.
introduced the Englishmen simply as three strang-
anxious for an audience bowed thrice, ana re-
tired a little way.
The pretender smilingly motioned them to be
seated on three chairs placed on his right and
then said: "Marrhaba bi kum' ("You are well
Gomez
Beltons first impression was that he had never
seen handsomer man. This Is his description OF
him: "A very high. broad forehead. with large
black eyes full of light, which sparkle with genu-
inc merriment when he is amused; big. straight
nose; fairly full cheeks, square. resolute Jaw.
and the frmest Of mouths set of by black beard
and small mustache. His complexion is deep
olive; and when he stood up he was we'll
over six feet in height, and finely proportioned to
n maRnifcent physique" He came to business at
once
why are you In Fez?" he asked.
The concession was named, the price stated. and
the pretender ordered 81 Aissa to go into the mat
ter further.
"And your" questioned Mulai Hand. pointing to
Bolton.
.T am a soldier" said the future kingmaker.
81 have come to offer my services"
Allah. Allah" the pretender repeated very
slowly; then asked many questions.
Then came Redmans turn What did he want!
He would be useful to Bolton as q khalifa fright
hand mani. \
On the 25th Bolton and Redman were again sum:
moned before the pretender. this time In an In
closure close by the palace. where 1000 troops
infantry. cavalry and artillery-were drawn up
and waiting
"There are some Of my soldiers" the pretender
said; see what you can do with them"
the boy-he was little more-was game The