A well-used pack of cards-An overheard conversation- News of the Tourmaline-A 'Bashador Inglìz' at the Sultan's camp - Fate of the Moslem prisoners murder trial-The 'leather glove'—I make a sketch of the kasbah-A quarrel with our guards-We resort to strategy to obtain tobacco-Pigs, djinns, and devils- We discuss the possibilities of escape-But resolve to wait -Good news for Giluli-Arrival of Ben Omar-Obila is confidential-The major-domo's news-We prepare for our departure-A strange request- How the news came -An irritating delay-Arab is moved to tears-Sabbah A last look at the kasbah-On the road to Mogador--A halt at Eda Igirt-The journey resumed-I kill a snake- Hydrophobia unknown in Morocco - The legendary founder of Mogador - A tedious wait Arrival at Mogador-Our reception-Popular indignation in the town-A civilized Governor-European visitors-De- parture from Mogador - We embark on board the Hassani Arrival at Tangier - Beyerle is set free- IN MOORISH CAPTIVITY. PROLOGUE. SOME time in the year 1896 there appeared in London an individual of a Jewish cast of countenance, dressed in a frock-coat and fez, calling himself Dr. Abd-elKerim Bey. His real name was Geyling, and Austria was the country which could claim the proud distinction of having given him birth. In the course of a by no means uneventful career, he had been many things to many men in many countries; but, according to his own account, he had most recently occupied the post of private physician to H.M. the Sultan of Morocco, with which potentate he was still on terms of friendship. Indeed, the worthy doctor would have one believe that his Sherifian Majesty was under considerable obligations to his late physician for important medical services rendered, obligations of which his Majesty was duly sensible. Under these happy circumstances the doctor had been loath to relinquish his lucrative post, but royalty-especially Mohammedan royalty is notoriously fickle; and, as the doctor had been in negotiation with certain tribes in Sus with a view to opening up direct trade with Europe, and thus avoiding the heavy dues levied by the Sultan, he had left the Court and come to Europe, intending to raise money to develop and work the concessions he had secured. While thus prospecting, he came into contact with Major A. Gybbon Spilsbury, an officer in the R.E. militia, to whom he unfolded his scheme. The Major lent a sympathetic ear to the Austrian adventurer's tale, and, having a somewhat extensive acquaintance with company-promoters in the city, succeeded in inducing the Globe Venture Syndicate, Ltd., to provide the necessary capital. In the spring of the following year a preliminary expedition was sent out to Morocco, with the object of endeavouring to secure the co-operation of the Moorish Government. Residents in Tangier to-day say that such an imposing caravan never before set out from the town. Neither Geyling nor Spilsbury was likely to travel on the cheap' when touring at other people's expense, but to say that they travelled like an Ambassador' would be to give but a faint idea of the escort, animals, and baggage that they thought necessary to take with them. The journey overland to Morocco city lasted a month, the trip including Wazzan, Fez, and other places en route. Arrived at the southern capital, neither the Sultan nor the Grand Vizier would grant an audience to Geyling, but the Major was more fortunate. When, however, he came to unfold his projects in regard to trade with Sus, His Excellency would neither give his sanction to the Major's proposed visit to that country, nor guarantee his personal safety if he went. Having failed in his endeavour to secure the support of the Moorish Government to the Sus development scheme, the Major turned his steps towards Mogador. |