The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1910-09-15

cession in Morocco from pretender to the throne
named Mulai Hafd. Would Belton like 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 1uently.
At Larache, port eighty miles south of Tan
ger they succeeded by the aid Of the British vice
consul, in hiring mules to take them to Alcazar,
a town twenty miles inland which was held by
the troops of Sultan Aziz.
The sultan had issued an edict forbdding ma
tives to assist Europeans Their muleteer refused
to go further than Acazar as the tribes were car
rying on the jehad (holy war; against the Chris
! tians. So they employed notorious brigand and
horsethef, one Abselem, to take them through to
Fez
Dressed as Moorish women, the Englshmen
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 a messenger to the
grand vizier that three Englishmen desired
audience with the sultan. At noon the following
day two soldiers came to them from the vizer and
escorted them to a house which had been placed
at their disposal at Mulai Hafd's order.
They remained indoors until the 18th, when
mounted escort conducted them to the palace.
Arrayed as 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 staircase and
into long narrow room, where, at the further
end, sat Mulai Hafd, cross-legged dark green
velvet couch.
His two viziers, Ell Glawi and 81 Aissa, were sit
ting on his left Walking slowly the kaid ad-
vanced to within three PAGES of the throne bowed,
introduced the Englishmen simply three strang-
ers anxious for an audience, bowed thrice, and re-
tired 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
comeO.
Belton's first impression was that he had never
seen a 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 irmest of mouths, set off by black beard
and small mustache. His complexion is deep
olive; and when he stood up / saw he was well
over six feet in height and finely proportioned to
magnificent 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 Muai Hafid. pointing to
Belton.
'I am 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 Redman's turn. What did he want?
He would be useful to Belton khalifa (right-
hand mani. "a b~a&g
On the 25th Belton 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 do with them"
The boy-he was little more-was game. The