Nouegem (this was the name of my deliver_Perils and Captivity Comprising The sufferings of the Picard family after the shipwreck of the Medusa, in the year 1816; Narrative of the captivity of M. de Brisson, in the year 1785; Voyage of Madame Godin along the river of the Amazons, in the year 1770.

place where the council sat, and when he had presented me, he thus

addressed them. "Behold the slave of Mahammet, I have followed him the

whole day, not to lose sight of him; and after many fatigues and

dangers, I have delivered him from the hands of those who had carried

him away. I demand, as a reward for my trouble, that he shall be

numbered with my slaves. I have a better right to him, as I have seen

him deliver to his master a great many articles, which appeared to me to

be very valuable." I immediately saw a multitude of women and children,

who assembled around me. They examined me attentively, and cried aloud

all at once, "Es Rey!"

Sidy Mahammet, enraged at what Nouegem had revealed concerning the

treasure, as well as the pretensions which he had so boldly advanced,

cast upon him a contemptuous look, a dreadful frown of rage, and

immediately replied, "Whether this Christian be Rey (King) or not, he is

mine; he threw himself into my arms of his own accord; I have promised

to protect him, and conduct him to Allicoury. I have pledged my word,

and I hope this tribunal will know how to make a distinction in favour

of my rights, between a man of my character and a man like Nouegem, who

deserves the severest punishment from me." One may form some idea, from

this discourse, of the pride of Arabian priests.

"Since you make such pretensions," the Arab quickly replied, "and he

cannot be mine, he shall perish by my hand!" So saying, he lifted his

poignard to strike me. I stood trembling under the threatening sword of

this barbarian; but my master, without loss of time, threw upon me a

kind of chapelet[21] of incredible length; and then took up a little

book, which hung by his girdle; at the same instant, the women, rushing

towards me, drew me from under the hand of Nouegem, and put me under

those of the enraged priest, as they all dreaded, he was to pronounce an

anathema on his opponent. The council in a body approved of this act of

authority of the Talbe. They laughed very much at the women's behaviour,

of which they at the same time approved.

[Footnote 21: The Talbes cord, on which are strung 115 small black

beads. These they keep as the Catholics do their chapelets.]

At some distance from the place where this scene had been transacted, I

found my comrades, who never expected to see me again. But, Great God!

in what situation did I find them!--they now began to feel the first

horrors of famine. They had eaten nothing for two days; nor was my own

case better; but the awful dilemma, into which I had been thrown, so

agitated my spirits, that I had even ceased to feel the hunger which

preyed on me.

In a little time, when I became somewhat calmer, I reflected on the

danger, which I had so fortunately escaped and my mind was so much

affected that I could not refrain from tears. I endeavoured to conceal

from those around me, this evidence of my sensibility and distress; but

some of the women beside me, observed it, and in place of being affected

with my situation, they threw sand into my eyes, to dry, as they said,

my eyelids. Happily the night, that screened me from their view, saved

me from the rage of these monsters.

We had been now three days in slavery, and had as yet got nothing to

support us, but a little meal, not more corrupted by sea-water, than by

a mixture of barley meal, which had been long kept in goats skins; but

even this wretched repast was interrupted by alarming cries, which we

overheard at a distance.

One of Sidy Mahammet's friends ran up to him, and advised him to hide

himself very quickly, because the Ouadelims were arming from every

quarter to carry off their seizure. "Fly with your slaves," said he,

"whilst I gather together some of ours, and at break of day we will

proceed on our march to regain our habitation." I have since learned

that the tribe of Labdesseba, had only come to the sea-coast about three

days before our shipwreck, to gather together the wild grain for the

support of their families. They appointed the place of rendezvous;

meantime, we were to conceal ourselves behind the hillocks of sand,

where we should remain, till some Arabs of another tribe, but equally

interested in preserving their booty, should come to join us, and

reinforce our troop. A guide, who should go before us, was to place at

little distances, small pyramids of stones, to point out to us the road

which we should keep, and to prevent our falling into the midst of some

hostile village, more especially of the Ouadelims. The fact was, these

people are so avaricious, whether friends or enemies, there is equal

cause to be suspicious of either. At break of day, all those who had

Christian slaves joined us, and we all proceeded on our march for the

interior parts of the country, where the families of our respective

masters resided.

It is impossible to describe our sufferings on this journey, especially

from thirst. We had such difficulty to move our tongue, that we

trembled to ask the smallest question. We were obliged to follow the

track of the camels, by which our march was hastened; and dreading our

being carried off, our masters caused us to make so many different

counter-marches, that we were fifteen days in reaching their

habitations--a journey, which we could have accomplished in five, had we

followed the direct road.

After having climbed over mountains of a prodigious height, which are

wholly covered with small pebbles of a greyish colour, as sharp as

flint-stones, we descended into a sandy plain, overspread with thorns

and thistles. There we slackened our pace; the soles of my feet were

bleeding so much, that it was not in my power to walk any further. My

master then desired me to mount behind him on his camel, but this

attention on his part was far from giving any ease to me, but on the

contrary proved a source of inexpressible torture. The camel is

naturally a very dull animal, with a very hard trot. As I was naked, I

could not defend myself from the rubbing of the hair of the animal upon

me, in such a manner as quite flead me in a very short time. The blood

ran copiously down the flanks of the animal--a spectacle which, so far

from exciting the compassion, or moving the pity of these barbarians,

only contributed to their diversion. They made game of my sufferings,

and to heighten the jest, pushed forward their animals. It would

certainly have issued in incurable wounds, if I had not adopted a

scheme, very violent though necessary, to slip off and walk on the sand.

I received no other damage in dismounting, than my body being

universally jagged with the thistles and thorns with which I have

already mentioned the ground was covered.

As night approached, we observed a very thick smoke. I supposed we were

drawing near to some village, where we might procure something to eat,

or rather to drink; but was soon convinced it was only some thick

bushes, where our guide had taken up lodgings. I therefore stretched

myself out behind a bush to wait for death; and had scarcely lain down,

when an Arab of our company came to me, ordering me to get up, and

assist him in unloading his camel. I was very much enraged at this

order, and answered him accordingly without ceremony. He immediately

drew from under my head, a little old sailor's hat, which had been given

me in place of my own. He spit upon it as a mark of contempt, and,

seizing me violently by the arms, he drew me towards the camels. When he

thus laid hands on my body, I could no longer command myself. I

immediately struck him a blow on the face; then, having disengaged

myself from his hands, I seized a baton which he had armed with a lance,

and run up to strike him; but, running away, he escaped from my rage.

I at the same time observed my master advancing to my assistance; but as

I did not know his design, I cried out to him, that if he intended to

avenge his comrade, he would find me determined to resist, rather than

suffer myself to be beat any more. My determination and threatenings

made him laugh; notwithstanding, he relieved me of my uneasiness,

assuring me that I had nothing to fear. This adventure served likewise

to convince me, that by firm behaviour, I might shun much of that bad

treatment to which I would be exposed by showing any timidity; and I

experienced in the sequel that this idea was well founded. The Arabs

show their courage most when they meet with no opposition.

Meantime I observed they were making preparations which very much

alarmed me. They made red hot some stones in a great fire, then, raising

up a great stone which lay at the side of a bush, they dug a hole in the

earth, and the Arabs, repeating my name, raised great bursts of

laughter. At last they called upon me, and desired me to approach the

hole which they had digged. The man I had stuck, made several different

signs with his hand. He crossed and recrossed himself on the neck, as if

he meant to cut it, hereby signifying to me, that I would be cut there

myself. Notwithstanding my resolution to defend myself, all these

gestures displeased me not a little. But what was my surprise, when I

saw them draw up out of the the ditch, as I approached it, a goat's skin

bottle full of water, a small leather bag, which was full of barley

meal, and a goat just killed! The sight of these provisions perfectly

restored my tranquillity, though I remained ignorant to what purposes

the stones which were on the fire were to be applied. At length I saw

them fill with water a great wooden vessel, into which they turned the

barley meal, while the red hot stones thrown into the water served to

make it boil. It was thus our masters dressed a sort of broth, which

they then kneaded with their hands, and eat unchewed. As for us slaves,

we had nothing to eat but the same kind of paste. The Arabs threw it to

us upon a kind of carpet, which our patron generally spread below his

feet, when he repeated his prayers, and which he employed as a mattress

during the night. After having kneaded this leaven a long time, he gave

it to me, that I might divide it among my companions. One can hardly

conceive how disagreeable this leaven was to the taste. The water with

which it was mixed had been procured upon the sea-shore, and had been

preserved afterwards in the skin of a goat newly killed. To prevent it

from corrupting, they had mixed a kind of pitch with it, which rendered

the smell of it doubly noxious. The same water was given us to drink,

and, bad as it was, our allowance of it was extremely small.

The Arab whom I had struck, observing that I was complaining, gave me

the remainder of his broth, and told me that to-morrow we should eat the

goat that had been killed for us. This he made me understand by signs. I

informed him, partly by signs and partly by words, how much I was

surprised to have found these provisions. He took the same method of

telling me, that the guide, who went before us, had procured them for us

from a village in the country, and that he had concealed them under

ground, to keep them from the sight of the Moors, in case they should

pass that way. These particulars surprised me, though I confess, it was

still more astonishing to me, to find the resentment of this Arab turned

into acts of kindness and complaisance. Our repast being ended, each of

us lay down to sleep behind a bush.

At break of day, we heard the voice of our masters, ordering us to

gather together the camels and load them. After doing as desired, we

pursued our journey, carrying with us the small remainder of our

provisions. It was nearly mid-day when we stopped in a great plain,

where we did not find so much as a single tree to screen us from the

sun, which darted right upon our heads. There we were employed in

unloading the camels, and in pulling up roots to make a fire, which was

a very painful operation, as all the trees, roots and herbs, were

thorny. When the fire had thoroughly heated the sand, the goat was

wholly covered with it; and we were employed in keeping fuel to the

fire, while our masters regaled themselves with the raw fat of the goat:

they appeared to consider this as a very great rarity. So soon as the

meat was baked, and withdrawn from the fire, our Arabians, without

allowing us time to clean it from the sand, devoured it with incredible

voracity. After having thoroughly gnawed the bones, they made use of

their nails for scraping off any flesh which remained upon them; they

then threw them to us, with orders to eat expeditiously, and reload our

camels, so that our journey might not be hindered.

The sun was just about setting, when, by the reflection of its rays (for

in this country the sun sets every day in a red sky), we discovered

tents scattered up and down upon a little eminence, and flocks which had

come there for pasturage.

The inhabitants of the village came out in throngs to meet us; but in

place of showing us any of the pleasant duties of hospitality, they

loaded us with injuries, and made us suffer very inhuman treatment. Two

of my comrades were brought into a very pitiable situation. The women

particularly, much more fierce than the men, took delight in tormenting

us. Our masters could not make any great resistance; they appeared; on

the contrary, much better pleased that they should teaze us, than

meddle with the lading of the camels.

While I was at some little distance from mine, I suddenly noticed a man,

who aimed a blow at me with a double-barrelled gun.[22] I presented him

my breast, and desired him to strike. The firmness of my countenance,

with which he had been doubtless little accustomed, astonished him. This

served the more to strengthen my opinion, that one might impose on these

people, by assuming an undaunted appearance. As I approached to this

man, a stone thrown from an unknown hand, but which I supposed to be

that of a woman, struck me on the head. I lost recollection for a

little; but when I recovered, I exclaimed in a very violent rage, and

demanded satisfaction with vehement cries. I found this method very

serviceable in striking terror among these _children_. The savages who

were gathered around us, not knowing the cause of my exclamations, began

to run away. Meantime one of them, before he went off, gave me a blow

with the butt-end of a gun, which made me vomit blood. If I could have

discovered the fellow who struck me, I should certainly have avenged

myself. Reduced to complaining, I did it with such vehemence that I

raised the curiosity of many of the monsters. They inquired of my master

who I was? "He is," answered he, "a very rich Christian, and possessed

of a great quantity of guns, balls, flint-stones and scarlet cloth.[23]

That you may understand, what a man of consequence he is, we had access

to see that he was very richly clothed, and that his linen was perfumed

with a very agreeable odour;[24] and to know, that Prince Allicoury and

all his retinue had paid him a visit."

[Footnote 22: Several years since, some vessels were lost upon

this coast, which were engaged in a treaty with the Negroes. The

Arabs carried off the cargoes, so that we need not be surprised

that they had guns of different kinds among them.]

[Footnote 23: He believed that all the provisions which were in

the King's magazine belonged to me.]

[Footnote 24: This odour was nothing more than lavender-water,

with which my linen had been sprinkled.]

I believe I escaped much bad usage from his saying that Prince Allicoury

had paid me a visit. To enforce this idea still more, I counterfeited

his buffoons, whom they called _Egeums_. This kind of farce so much

pleased my master, that he made me repeat it as often as he found

opportunity. He made use of this stratagem to divert those among them,

whom he suspected as inclined to pilfer, and thus cunningly occupied

their attention. No sooner did he make known my talent for imitating the

_Egeums_, than I was surrounded by men, women, and children, who

constantly bawled out to me _ganne_, (sing then). I had no sooner

finished, than I was obliged to begin again; and this I was constrained

to do, not only to amuse them, but (why should I not own it?) to procure

a tasting of camel's milk--as a reward for this my mean buffoonery.

We rested one day in this village, where the inhabitants, however ill

they behaved at first, did not fail to give us provisions for three or

four days. The plains which we passed over in proceeding towards the

east country, were covered with small stones as white as snow, round and

flat as a lentil. As we proceeded, we perceived a dull sound under our

feet, as if the earth had been dug out below us. This country presented

no variety to us; the ground was a continued plain, without producing

even the smallest plant. The atmosphere was loaded with a reddish

vapour. The whole country appeared as if filled with flaming volcanoes.

The small stones pricked us, as if they had been sparks of fire. Neither

birds nor insects were to be seen in the air. The profound silence which

reigned was something frightful. If at any time a gentle breeze arose,

the traveller immediately found himself affected with an extreme

languor, the lips with chopping, the skin with a burning heat, and the

whole body covered with small pimples, which occasioned a very sharp and

disagreeable smarting. Our guides, who had gone far up into the country,

to shun some tribes whom they had much cause to fear, were not luckier

than we in escaping these disagreeable inconveniences, which we suffered

in this part of our journey, where the fiercer animals would not enter.

The rays of the sun darted upon the stones, and I feared, every minute,

that their scorching reflection would have finished me.

We passed through this vast plain into a second, where the winds had

furrowed the sand, which was of a reddish colour, at little distances. A

few sweet smelling plants grew on the top of the furrows, which were

immediately devoured by our camels: they were no less famished than

ourselves. We had the happiness, on quitting this sandy plain, to enter

into a valley surrounded with mountains, where the soil was white and

slimy. At the foot of some tall shrubs, of which the branches were

artfully formed into an arbour, we found some water, of which we stood

in great need. We therefore drank of it with much pleasure, although it

was very bitter, covered with green moss, and of a noxious smell.

We found some compensation however, in the evening, by falling in with a

horde, which was encamped at some leagues distance. They received us

very kindly, and pointed out to us some villages, where they informed us

we could receive all necessary assistance for prosecuting our journey to

the residence of our patrons. This was an event particularly fortunate

for us, as our guides had lost the way.

My master's brother-in-law was one of the chiefs of this village, and

paid particular attention to all the slaves. He gave us some camel's

milk, and flesh of ostriches dried in the sun, and chopped small. I know

not why, but he soon showed a partiality towards me; and accordingly,

coming up to me, he said, "Unfortunate Christian, my brother has been

indebted to me for a long time, if you will put yourself under my care,

I will settle the bargain with him." This proposal made me tremble; it

appeared to assure me of a long captivity. I believed so certainly that

mine was to be short, that I ran immediately to my master, to prevent

his agreeing to his brother-in-law's proposition. I entreated him by no

means to consent to any terms. I made him understand that he would get

more for my ransom, than his brother would give him. "Set yourself at

ease," replied he, "you shall not leave me till you go either to Senegal

or Morocco, and that will be very soon." This hope filled my heart with

inexpressible joy. Meantime, notwithstanding the gratitude which I felt

towards Sidy Sellem, his proposal did not fail to give me considerable

uneasiness. He perceived it, and told me, that he would make me repent

not having accepted his offer. I attributed this threatening to his

desire of possessing me; but I found, in the sequel, he was as good as

his word.

After three days rest among the Arabs of the tribe of _Roussye_, we

resumed our journey, in order to get home to the families of our

conductors as quickly as possible; though it was not till after sixteen

days, in which we endured much fatigue and distress, that we arrived,

extenuated and reduced to skin and bone.

At break of day, we discovered a hamlet that seemed to promise a very

pleasant dwelling. Several tents pitched among thick bushy trees,

numberless flocks feeding along the sides of the hills, made us conceive

it to be an asylum of happiness and peace; but upon closer inspection,

the appearance of it was much altered. The trees, whose beautiful green

foliage we had admired, proved to be nothing more than old gummy stumps,

with their few branches, entwisted with thorns; so that their

inaccessible shade spread out on every side. They very soon after

observed us upon the declivity of a little hill, which led us to the

dwelling of our masters.

Several black slaves, who had commonly the charge of the camels, came

out to meet their masters, to kiss their feet, and inquire the news of

their health. At a greater distance, the children made the air resound

with their cries of joy, and their wives stood erect, as a mark of

respect, at their tent-doors, waiting their arrival. As soon as they

approached, they advanced with a submissive air, put their right hand

upon the head of their husband; then, having kissed them, fell down

prostrate before them. This ceremony over, they regarded us first with a

look of curiosity, and then proceeded to abuse us. Not content with

that, they spat in our face, and threw stones at us. The children,

following their example, pinched us, tore our hair, and scratched us

with their nails. Their cruel mothers called out first to one, and then

to another, encouraging them, amusing themselves by causing them to

torment us. Unhappy as we were, exhausted with fatigue, hunger, and

thirst, we looked with impatience towards the hour of our arrival,

little expecting the fresh trials which awaited us.

Meantime, our masters made a division of their slaves. When mine had

received the caresses of all his family, I inquired of him, which of the

women who surrounded him was his favourite. He pointed her out to me. I

approached, and presented her with two handfuls of cloves, which her

husband had very carefully kept, and wished me to present her with, in

order to gain her good wishes. I learned that Moorish women were very

fond of odours, and in a very particular manner of cloves. She received

my present with an insulting haughtiness, and pushed me into the tent

with disdain. Immediately after, this woman, the most wicked of all whom

I had known, hated by all her companions, such was the blackness of her

character, came to order us (viz. Sieurs Devoise, Baudre and myself, who

had fallen to the share of her husband) to unload the camels, to clean a

kind of kettle, and to gather roots for making a fire. While she was

thus employed in giving her orders, her dear husband was lying fast

asleep on the knees of one of his concubines.

The hope of soon regaining my freedom, gave me the necessary spirit to

support me under the hardships which this wicked woman made me suffer. I

therefore went out to make faggots; but what was my despair to find, on

my return, my two companions lying felled with blows, and stretched out

on the sand. They had been thus abused, because their strength was

totally exhausted, and they could not execute the task which she had

enjoined them. I awakened my master with my redoubled cries; and

although I could not speak his language well, I made shift to support

with him the following conversation:--"Did you bring us hither to kill

us by the hands of this cruel woman? Remember the promise which you made

me. Conduct me without delay to Senegal or to Morocco; otherwise, I

assure you, that though I should perish, I will cause to be taken from

you, though I cannot do it myself, all the treasure which I have given

you; I will certainly find a master who will treat me with more humanity

than you have done."

My rage was excessive. Many of the neighbours, witnesses of my

transport, were gathering about us. This was very disagreeable to my

master, who feared lest I should cause him to deliver back the valuable

effects I had given him. He came to me, took me in his arms, and pushed

me hastily into his tent, and entreated me not to make such a noise. He

then presented me with a bowl of milk, "Carry that," said I, "to my

companions, who are expiring for want." He assured me they should have

some, and besought me to be quiet. I showed him my arms all torn and

running with blood. "Recollect," said I, in my bad language, "how, when

we were shipwrecked, you cried out, beholding my hands, _these hands

have never been accustomed to hard labour_; and immediately you engage

me in the most painful employment. Your countrymen experience in my

country a very different treatment." He seemed astonished to learn that

the Moors ever came to France. "We shall talk of this another time,"

replied he; "in the mean time, make yourself easy. I will take care of

you as my own son." Then, addressing himself to his wife, "I forbid you

to exact from him the least service which may be painful to him, and I

at same time prohibit him from obeying you in it. See that some meal be

boiled for the slaves; I will return ere long to see if my orders have

been executed." From this hour the favourite vowed implacable hatred

against me.

Meantime, the month of August drew towards a close, and no preparations

were making for our journey. I therefore inquired at Sidy Mahammet, when

he proposed to conduct me to Senegal. He told me, that he was in search

of two very strong and vigorous camels, that could endure the fatigues

of this journey, and that we would set out when he could procure them. I

entreated he would make as little delay as possible, as the nights were

now turning cool. The dews began also to be so heavy, as to wet us, in

our retreat behind the bushes, where we spent the night. It is true,

that even the dew proved serviceable in one case, as, by gathering it in

handfuls upon our naked bodies, it served to quench our thirst, which

the coldness of the night did not extinguish; and we preferred this

drink to our urine, a resource to which we were often reduced. I spoke a

second time to our master on the subject of our journey, who answered me

in such a manner as convinced me it was not from want of inclination he

delayed. "Think you," said he, "that amidst such excessive heat, we can

possibly travel without a store of provisions, especially water? We have

much cause to fear, that, on our approaching Senegal, the river which

surrounds it will have overflowed the plains; we will also be in danger

from the Arabs, of the tribe of Trargea, who are our enemies. I tell you

the truth," continued he, "we will be obliged to wait till the month of

October; about that time, the rains will water the deserts, and afford

us pasturage for our camels; it will be impossible for us otherwise to

subsist during so long a journey." I fully perceived the justice of his

reasoning, and resolved therefore to have recourse to patience.

The heat was so excessive, that the flocks, half-starved, could find no

pasture, and the sheep and goats returned in the evening with their dugs

almost empty; and yet it was their milk and that of the camels which was

to supply food for a numerous family. One may judge from this, how much

our portion was diminished. As we were Christians, even the dogs fared

better; and it was in basins destined for their use that we received our

allowance!

One day the keeper of the camels complained grievously that he was

ashamed to serve a master who was so weak as not to keep his slaves to

their duty. His wife did not fail to support this complaint in such a

manner, that her husband, long accustomed to be her dupe, persuaded me,

that, to prevent murmuring, he would appoint Baudre to that charge, as

he was the youngest. Soon after I was obliged to take an equal share of

the sheep and goats. The Sieur Devoise, on account of his age and bad

health, was exempted from every sort of servitude, but his situation did

not free him from cause of complaint, as he was constantly exposed to

the savage treatment of the cruel Arabs. I happily escaped this by my

new employment.

One day, as I was returning with my flock, one of my sheep brought forth

a young one upon the side of a hill. I took it in my arms, and proceeded

to carry it, with equal haste and care, to my master's favourite. I

presented it to her when I reached home, supposing that she would

receive it with the same pleasure which she had lately shown on a

similar occasion. I asked her at the same time, if she would give me the

first milk of the mother, as it was customary to give it to those who

had the charge of the flocks. By way of reply, she threw a great knife

at my legs, and drove me from the tent with disdain, and loading me with

abuse. Her husband, who had been witness of her brutality, came to me

with an assurance, that, by way of recompense, he should appoint me a

very large share of the milk. I had uniformly given credit to his

promises, but how much was I astonished, when, in passing by the back of

the tent, I heard that rogue joining his wife in her laugh at the stroke

which she had given me. I was provoked; but my anger was not a little

increased in the evening, when I began to seek the milk which had been

promised to me, my mistress came to me in a rage, and took it out of my

hands to give the half of it to her dog.

It now drew near the end of October, and a single drop of rain had not

as yet fallen. My situation became every day more and more disagreeable.

I had no sort of clothing, but a piece of packcloth about my middle, and

was thus wholly abandoned to nature.--Feeling minds!--_convey yourselves

for a moment to my desert!_

The plains and valleys were entirely burnt up, and nothing remained for

the nourishment of the cattle. The season was far advanced; it was now

the month of December, a period when the rains usually were over till

the next October. For three years this bounty of heaven had been

withheld from the inhabitants of these deserts. We were now entering

upon the fourth year of drought, to be exposed to the most horrid

distress, and almost inevitable death. The desolation was become

universal, when an Arab from a distant part of the country came to

inform them, that abundant showers had covered several cantons where he

resided. Joy then succeeded to fear and distress. Every one struck his

tent, and all set out together, to seek a habitation in these newly

watered districts. This was the thirtieth time they had changed their

habitation, and renewed our fatigue in consequence; for these hordes

never remain above twelve or fifteen days in the same encampment. I was

continually employed in lifting and cleaning the tents, and had the

charge of the baggage. Often they compelled me to carry very heavy

burdens, in order to ease the camels. I was too happy when the flocks

followed in pretty good order, and did not give me the trouble of

gathering them together.

My unfortunate companions were so exhausted, that they were able to do

nothing; the consequence was, that the whole drudgery fell on me; and I

shared with them the little food which I procured, by labouring to make

myself useful; for our master gave them nothing to eat.

At length we arrived at the desired place, where I hoped soon to regain

my freedom; but my master, who had hitherto connected the most

persuasive language with the blackest treachery, ceased to dissemble

longer, and made me endure the most horrid tyranny.

We were now encamped upon a sandy soil, so very moist, that a gentle

pressure of the body made the water spring up around us in considerable

quantities. Happy would we now have been with an osier netting to lie

on, or a coarse carpet of wool, with long hair, to cover us; but these

conveniences the Arabs themselves are strangers, to, except those who

are rich. During the night, a carpet served for a covering to a whole

family. "Sidy Mahammet," said I to my master, "See, is it possible I can

long exist in such places? Allow me a covering under the tent. I suffer

much from the cold at night, and the ground on which you make me lie is

very wet. I have made your fortune, and you promised in return to use me

as your son, yet you abandon me!"--"It is true," replied he, "I did

promise you my friendship, and I will at this moment give you a

particular proof of it. Your situation, you say, is unhappy, but it will

be much better than you imagine. Tell me, what is the destiny to which

you are appointed? Fire and flame await you, to torment you through all

eternity. Have you considered well your religion?" I quickly replied,

and pointed out to him its excellency. He heard me for some time, and

then went away, telling me, he preferred a bowl of churned milk to all

the absurdities of which I had been talking.--Alas! there is no kind of

torment, which this fanatical priest would not have made me endure, to

compel me to embrace his religion.

Messieurs Devoise and Baudre, who had heard all this conversation,

(which I have here much abridged,) assured me it was very satisfactory.

They promised themselves some mitigation of their sufferings. The hour

of milking the camels being come, they called me to receive my own and

my neighbour's portion. When I saw our portions were somewhat larger

than usual, I concluded it was the good effect which my morality had

produced; but, on tasting it, we discerned that the increase of quantity

was owing to rain water, of which they had now doubled our dose, so that

we had nothing but whitened water to support us. This soon weakened us

to such a degree, that we were reduced to the hard necessity of seeking

our meat with the beasts. The wild plants, which they were trampling

under foot, with raw snails, were our only nourishment from this time,

till the time we regained our liberty. Meanwhile, he continued to

prepare new labours for me. I now had the charge of putting the camels

in the plough, labouring the ground, and sowing it; while my master, not

content with employing me in his own service, hired me out to other

Arabs for a morsel of milk. I would certainly have sunk under this

fatigue, if, from time to time, I had not found opportunity to steal

some handfuls of barley. It was by this theft (which I am satisfied was

a lawful one) that I preserved my life.

"You see," said I to my master, "with what submission I labour with all

my power. I make faggots, churn the butter, keep the flocks, pull up

roots, prepare the camels hair, which your wife is to spin, labour the

ground, and in short do every thing you exact of me. I have enriched

you, and you will not vouchsafe to give me a few rags to cover me."

Other Arabs, more compassionate, and always jealous of his being in

possession of my riches, which they valued at an infinite price, threw

the same in his teeth one day. This determined him to call me to him,

when he asked me in their presence, if there was any person at Mogador

(which they called Soira) who would pay a good ransom for us? I told him

they would to his content. "In that case," replied he, "there is a

Jewish merchant who passes this way to-morrow, ask paper from him, and I

will permit you to write to those from whom you expect assistance." The

Jewish merchant[25] passed accordingly, and I wrote a letter, which I

addressed to the Consul at Soira, or in case of absence, to his

representative. I entreated him to have a feeling with our calamities,

and to send us speedy relief. I mentioned to him the best and most

certain method of sending to seek us out, and the only one to make use

of to procure us ready deliverance.[26] This letter I committed to the

hands of the Israelite, and I appeared to myself as if already at

liberty--too flattering hope!

[Footnote 25: The Jews born in the Desert live in much the same

manner with the Arabs; but those who dwell in the towns are more

rigid observers of the law of Moses.]

[Footnote 26: When the French government, or any other, get

information of any vessel being lost upon these coasts, they

should direct their agent, either at Mogador or at Tangiers, to

make application to a Jew named Aaron, who lives at Guadnum. He

employs emissaries through all the different parts of Africa to

buy up wrecks. This advice, dictated by humanity, is the best to

be followed in such cases.]

A young Moorish girl, whose flocks fed often near mine, relieved me of

my mistake, and made me acquainted with the character of Sidy Mahammet.

"If he thought he durst," said she to me, "he would not treat you any

better than he does your companions; nay, perhaps, he himself would take

you to a private place and kill you, so little would he be startled at

committing a crime; but then he is afraid of his two brothers, who have

a very strong attachment to you. If he promise you liberty, it is only

to amuse you. He durst not even send you away, for fear that Muley

Adaram would cause him to be arrested, and take from him all that you

have given him, perhaps even his life."

This Muley Adaram[27] was a son of the Emperor. Having heard vague

reports of the effects which I had brought with me, he supposed that I

was a very rich Christian; and, in consequence, travelled more than a

hundred leagues, in order to make a purchase of me. I was, however, very

happy that I had not fallen into the hands of a prince, so cruel as to

revolt against his own father.

[Footnote 27: The Sieur Soret, one of my secretaries, Pinjon,

surgeon of the ship, the two friends, Brissiere and John, seamen

of the same ship, were made to suffer from this barbarous prince

the most cruel treatment. Sometimes they were beaten with a baton

or club, at other times their bodies were torn with the strokes of

a poignard. Burning firebrands and red hot iron were sometimes

employed in tormenting them. It is possible to bring the Sieur

Soret from Nantz, the wounds of whose body will attest the truth

of what I have advanced.]

This conversation of the Moorish girl extinguished every ray of hope,

that I should ever regain my native country. My mind was much agitated,

and I sank into a state of depression and melancholy. Ever after that

day, I experienced continually fresh causes of distress.

I now no more met with any of my unfortunate companions in the fields. I

much regretted the loss of the Captain's company. I had been accustomed

to it, and found a kind of consolation in talking over with him our

hardships, and the hope of soon being again blest with the sight of our

own country. One afternoon, that the coolness of the air had led my

camels to stray a little farther from home than usual, I was obliged to

follow them to a neighbouring hamlet.--My God! what a horrid spectacle

there presented itself!--the unhappy Captain, whom it was scarcely

possible to recollect, except by the colour of his body, lying stretched

out on the sand. He had one of his hands in his mouth, which extreme

weakness had doubtless prevented his devouring. Hunger had so altered

his appearance, that he now presented to the eye only a horrid carcass.

All his features were wholly effaced.

A few days after, the under captain (Baudre) fell down quite exhausted

behind a green bush, being left a prey to the attacks of a monstrous

serpent. The famished ravens frightened away the venomous animal with

their cries, then falling upon the dying man, they tore him into pieces.

Four savages, far more cruel monsters than the furious reptile, were

witnesses of this scene, but left the poor unhappy man to struggle in

vain. I came running up to endeavour to save him, if in time; the

barbarians stopped and insulted me, and then told me, "_The Christian

was going to broil in flames._" I left this place of horror, not knowing

where to bend my steps. My camels and sheep directed me. I would have

been incapable of reconducting them to their fold. It is impossible to

form an idea of the sensations by which I was agitated at this time. My

tears fell abundantly, while the most dismal forebodings increased my

grief. When I arrived at the tent, I no more knew what I was doing. I

constantly imagined I saw the carnivorous birds flying through the air,

with pieces of the flesh of my unfortunate companion in their bills. My

master, astonished at my disordered situation, inquired at me what was

the matter with me, and why I changed the bindings of the camels. "Go,"

replied I, "to a little distance there,--go and behold what have been

the consequences of your cruelty, and that of your wife. You have

suffered my comrade to perish for want, because, by his ill health, he

was not able to labour; you refused him milk to support him, when his

situation was such as demanded in a particular manner your help!" While

I thus spoke, I concealed my tears, which would only have afforded a

laugh to these monsters. They ordered me to go and search the girdle,

all covered with the blood of the unhappy victim of their barbarity. I

was struck with indignation at a proposal so shocking. The commotion I

had undergone, and the ferns which I had eaten to assuage my hunger,

occasioned very severe vomitings, which were followed with extreme

faintness. I had, however, strength enough left to retire behind a bush,

where I found another unhappy wretch. He inquired the cause of my

complaints, and if I had seen Baudre? "He is not far off," replied I,

unwilling to speak more plainly; but my master's sister, who came to

bring us milk, cried out, "Be assured that at this very moment, the

ravens are feasting on the entrails of Baudre; the time is not far

distant, when you will be fit for nothing else." Notwithstanding my

extreme weakness, I was much disposed to give this tigress an answer;

but in consideration of the condition of my companion, I resolved to

keep silence. If I had been the first to inform him of the matter, I

might perhaps have been able to have softened it in the recital; but,

there was no time, I was prevented, and could only mingle tears with

him.

My health, which had been preserved much better than I could have

expected, began now to fail. The skin of my body had been already twice

renewed. A third time, with inexpressible pain, I found it was covered,

if I may use the expression, with scales, like those of the Arabs. The

thistles upon which I walked, had torn my feet to the quick; I could not

longer support myself. In a word, the great dogs which they continually

hunted after me, and of which I could not get quit, till I had received

some cruel bites, altogether tended to make me quite unfit for keeping

the camels. To complete my misfortune, about the end of February and

March, the excessive heat dried up the water which we had found in this

district, and not so much as a single drop of rain had fallen to moisten

the ground which I had sowed. Our flocks, finding no more pasturage,

were upon the point of perishing, when at last, the two tribes of

Labdesseba and the Ouadelims, after having consulted, each for

themselves, resolved to go in search of lands occupied by more

industrious inhabitants. The Ouadelims carried their ravages as far as

Guadnum, about 300 leagues from the place where we had been encamped.

Some hordes of the Labdesseba, who were not of so wandering a

disposition as the former, remained behind; and as they were not so

numerous, they found subsistence for their flocks in the neighbouring

districts. They killed some sheep, and thus supported themselves till

the end of the following month, at a time when we ourselves were upon

our march to get out of the deserts, where extreme misery threatened all

the inhabitants.

I was in the dismal situation I have already described, when we

accidentally fell in with an Arab, who had in his retinue a Christian

slave, whom I immediately recollected to have been baker aboard our

ship. This Arab proposed to my master to give him a good bargain of this

slave; so that, as he was by no means disturbed in what manner he was to

find subsistence for him, he agreed to give a camel in exchange for this

new slave, who was employed in my usual occupations. I had then time to

recruit a little. The unhappy baker paid very dear for the food which he

knew how to procure.--But let us not anticipate upon these matters.

After having eaten all the snails we found in our circuit, we were

supported by the sheep which we found dead, partly by hunger, and partly

disease. This suggested to us the idea of stifling in the night some

young kids, knowing well that our masters would throw them away, as

their law prohibits their eating the flesh of any animal whose death is

not occasioned by a stroke.

This little scheme, however, occasioned too frequent deaths, and it

became observable that the goats, who appeared in best health at night,

when the flocks were gathered in, were generally those that were found

dead next morning. Our wants gave reason to suspect us, and at length we

were taken in the act. We were, however, acquitted for past injuries,

with an assurance, that, if we resumed the plan, it should cost us our

heads. Meantime, it was necessary for us to bethink ourselves on some

new plan of subsistence. Thanks to my good constitution, my strength was

recruited, and I was now able to make faggots, for which I found ready

sale, as in that country there is no season of the year in which the

night can be passed without fire; and the women, who have the charge of

these matters, are too lazy to go themselves to cut wood. My little

trade procured me thus sufficient milk for my own support, as well as a

little to spare to poor Devoise, who was very sick.

As I was preparing to go out one morning to make faggots, this friend

spoke to me as follows, in a voice scarcely audible: "All illusion is at

an end; from this moment I will no more flatter myself with the hope of

ever again seeing my native country. I feel my strength gradually

decline. This night, yes, this night, my friend, (for surely you deserve

that name, after what you have done for me), you will find nothing here,

but a corpse cold and dead. Fly, my dear Brisson, fly this hated abode.

Try every scheme you can devise to escape if possible; you were surely

destined for happier days. If Heaven hear my vows in the moment I yield

my breath, it will restore you to your wife and unhappy family. Adieu,

my friend, the tears you attempt to hide are fresh proofs of your

attachment. Write to my brother; assure him that my last words are about

him; and that I die with the sentiments of real Christianity. Adieu, my

last hour is nearer than I expected; I expire!"--In reality, he died

that moment.

Some children, who had been witnesses of my grief, and the cause of it,

soon spread the news through the village. My master's sister run up to

us, and went off immediately laughing very heartily, and saying that it

would be so much milk saved. Some neighbours, who I believe were moved

to pity me, by my sobbing, came to carry me away from the lifeless body.

They offered me some milk, though at the same time they turned my

distress into ridicule. "Why," said I to them, "do you condemn the tears

which I shed for my friend? I have seen you in similar cases, roll upon

the sand and stones. I have seen your eyes bathed in tears. Do you

suppose our souls are not possessed of the same feelings with yours?

Deceive not yourselves. In this common calamity we are all brothers and

friends." I could not say more to them. I found it impossible to remain

long in the presence of these beings, who had the human shape, but were

more ferocious than the most formidable and horrid animals.

Although I had not been acquainted with M. Devoise previous to our

departure from France, I was very sensible of his loss. The pleasantness

of his manner, his equal temper, acquaintance, and, above all, the

similarity of our situation, had contributed to connect us in the

strongest ties of friendship. I regretted his loss exceedingly; I went

into the fields, to meet again with the only companion I had now

remaining, and we retired together with our flocks, the keeping of which

became daily a more disagreeable task, on account of the scarcity of

pasturage.

On our arrival, we were ordered to lift up the body of our friend, and

bury it in a deep ditch, that, as the Arabs said, they might hide from

the eyes of their children, the sight of a Christian. We paid him this

last duty with much pain, for our weakness was so great, that we could

not carry him, and were therefore obliged to draw him by the feet near

three quarters of a league; and the earth which surrounded the ditch we

had dug, having failed under me, I fell in first, and I believe I

fainted away under the weight of his carcass.

Some days after, we quitted these fields to seek a more fertile spot. We

encamped in the neighbourhood of different tribes. I recollected by the

name Denoux, one of the seamen, who had been enslaved together with me.

I asked him the news of his companions. "Six of them," he told me, "were

carried off by the Emperor's son, a very short time after our shipwreck;

they had repassed into France. M. Taffaro, chief surgeon, died with the

blows of a club, by which he had been struck on the head. The Sieur

Raboin, under lieutenant, died since, in terrible sufferings. The

others, to escape the horrors of famine, had renounced their religion.

As for me, Sir, it will not be long ere I follow those that are in their

graves. See what a condition I am in! There is no kind of base treatment

which I do not daily suffer." "Alas! my poor lad," replied I, "do not

give up yourself entirely to grief. If it prove true, that six of your

companions have gotten safe again to France, the Ministry will soon be

made acquainted with our situation; their orders will speedily follow

the first feelings of their hearts; they will cause search to be made

for us, and I doubt not that we will soon see the end of our miseries."

Indeed, I have since learned, that upon the first news of our shipwreck,

M. le Marechal de Castries, had given the most positive orders for our

redemption. But the Sieur Mure, Vice Consul, to whom the orders had been

addressed, in place of acting agreeably to the instructions of the

minister, employed himself wholly in making his court to the Emperor of

Morocco and his officers, whom he loaded with considerable presents, at

the expense of the Court of France.

This agent could have procured our liberty, by applying at Guadnum, to

some Arab or Jewish merchant, who, in consideration of 100 piastres (500

livres), would have traversed every corner of the Desert, and who, it

might be fairly inferred, would have been satisfied with a sum

considerably less, when he had not to go farther than the neighbourhood

of Morocco. As soon as he would have been appointed to conduct the

Christian slaves to Mogador, the Arabs would have brought them thither

from all quarters, in order to receive the ransom for them; and they

would have been glad to have employed what money they received, in

purchasing wheat and barley, which may be had in abundance at Santa Cruz

in Barbary. But the Vice Consul, by his negligence, prolonged our

misfortunes. The Arabs, our masters, were very unwilling to undertake so

long a journey, which is at the same time both troublesome and

dangerous, without the hope of some reward. The Sieur Mure contented

himself with informing the minister, that he had given the strictest

orders that a proper search should be made for us. The conduct of Sieur

Mure was so blameworthy, that, lest he should consider me as a vile

traducer, I did myself the honour to make it known to his masters. It

was my duty, as a Frenchman, and a friend of mankind.

On the other hand, what praise ought I not to bestow on Mess. Deprat and

Cabannes, merchants at Mogador! It is to their patriotism that the

return of the greater part of the unhappy shipwrecked persons is to be

attributed. The extensive trade which they carry on in the interior

parts of the country has established their reputation in all the towns,

as well as in the capital. If their advice had been followed, how many

accidents and misfortunes would have been prevented! I have reason to

believe, that this charge is now committed to the Consul General, who

will particularly interest himself in the redemption of any unfortunate

persons who may be shipwrecked on that coast.

But to return to my narration. I had daily in mind the information of

the sailor, and could not imagine how we came to be thus forsaken, when

they had such opportunities of redeeming us. I was reflecting one day

upon the probable causes of this neglect, when, upon retiring behind my

bush, I was surprised to see my master's camels return without their

keeper. It was already late, and he was not yet appearing. They called

to give me my portion of milk, and I had not yet seen the poor keeper. I

inquired at them where he was? They gave me a reserved answer, and drove

me away. The forbidding appearance of my master and mistress, made me

tremble for the baker. I longed for day, to inquire after his fate.

Early in the morning, a young keeper came to tell me that Sidy Mahammet,

who suspected the baker of sucking the milk of his camels, and had

accordingly watched him, having taken him in the fact, had seized him by

the throat, and strangled him. "Take care of yourself," added the young

keeper, "a Christian, who touches the dugs of our cattle, profanes them.

The proprietor, or any other Arab, has a right to punish with death

whoever he finds transgressing; I have forewarned you. Take care, then,

lest you commit such a piece of sacrilege."

I had great difficulty to give credit to a story so very infamous. I ran

to the tent, and demanded an explanation of what the young man had told

me. A general silence confirmed the truth of what I had just learned,

and I gave myself up to the most unbounded rage. Every one ran. But my

master's brother-in-law was the only person who discovered any signs of

compassion towards me. "Why," said he to his brother, "did you not sell

me these slaves, when I offered to purchase them? What pleasure or

profit can you have in thus occasioning a miserable death to them? or

why treat you thus cruelly the only one that remains? You confess that

he deserves regard; nay, you suppose him to be a king; the riches he has

given you, I think, should engage you to treat him handsomely."

This last reflection raised the jealousy of the by-standers. They all

unanimously appeared to favour my cause. But Sidy Sellem was the only

person who spoke through his benevolent disposition. The rest did not

speak after him, as a mark of respect to his great age and riches. This

was the same Sidy Sellem, of the tribe of Larroussye, who had treated us

so kindly after our shipwreck, and who had forewarned me that I would

one day repent having refused his offer of purchasing me.

I was now the only slave in the village. I had no person to whom I could

communicate my distresses. My situation became daily more and more

unhappy; yet I determined with myself to be no longer affected so deeply

with it. "After having supported, with boldness, so many dangers," said

I to myself, "I have to this hour gone through extraordinary fatigue; my

health enables me to encounter still fresh trials; let me support them

with courage, and perhaps Providence will soon cease to try me farther."

This resolution, and the manner in which I had conducted myself towards

those who were wishing to depress me, had procured me some attention

amongst these savages; insomuch, that they permitted me to lie, from

time to time, behind their tents, and even, to drink at times out of

their vessels. My master left me in peace, and did not require that I

should keep the camels. It is true, he no more spake to me about

restoring me to liberty; besides, I would have given very little credit

to any thing which he would have said. His treachery towards me had

convinced me that I could place very little confidence in him.

I was obliged, however, to continue making faggots, to procure

subsistence; but I was often thrown into fits of inconceivable fury by

thirst. One must have experienced the torment which I endured, to form

an idea of the extremities to which it is possible to be reduced. I saw

that the Arabs themselves were in the greatest distress. Many died of

hunger and thirst. The season promised no relief to them. This was the

fourth time that drought had destroyed the harvest. This cruel situation

had so much rankled the dispositions of the inhabitants of the different

tribes, that they went to war among themselves. They made it their

business to kill as many of their cattle as they could, and dry their

flesh, as the milk had almost entirely failed. The water was now very

scarce; there was none to be found in any part of the Desert, but in the

neighbourhood of the sea-coast, and it was brackish, black, and noxious.

This wretched drink, together with the scarcity of pasturage, had driven

almost all the Arabs from the coasts. The provisions having failed, no

person durst settle in the country; thus were we circumstanced, when I

had opportunity to observe what necessity could teach man to do. The

camels which we killed, served to supply with water those Arabs who had

least milk. They preserved, with great care, the water which is found

lodged in the stomachs of these animals. They separated it from the

dung; and, by pressing it, they procured a greenish water, in which they

boiled their victuals. That which they took from the bodies of the

goats, tasted like fennel, and had a very agreeable flavour. This water

is far from being disagreeable; that of the camels is much less pleasant

to the taste. But what astonished me most was, that these animals, who

did not taste water oftener than twice or thrice in a year, and who were

fed upon dried plants, should preserve in their stomach a prodigious

quantity of water; the camel in particular.

Providence, which had not wholly forsaken me, continued still watching

over my days, which I seemed inclined to cut short, by exposing myself

to the dangers of a battle. Life was now a burden to me. In the hope of

putting an end to my course, I asked leave of my master to go to the

places where his cattle feed, and to join the inhabitants in defending

themselves against the pillagers. My offer was accepted; he gave me a

beast to ride on, and a pistol, the only fire-arm which he had in his

possession; he then addressed his prayers to obtain from heaven the

preservation of his camel, and the prosperity of the arms of those of

his party. I advanced then, with the pistol in my hand, accompanied by a

relation of my master's. I arrived, with my conductor, in the midst of

the warriors. They fought in the most disorderly manner; I did not know

whether one party fled, or if they rushed upon one another; I could see

nothing but a multitude of men, and a cloud of dust, and could not

conceive how they could distinguish one another. My camel, which

doubtless had been unaccustomed to such expeditions, marched slowly into

the midst of the enemy's fire. My conductor was soon separated from me,

and I saw him fall dead by a blow, which struck him on the head. My

camel, affrighted, made some dreadful capers, and threw me ten paces

from him, upon a heap of sand. Immediately, a foot soldier made up to

me, aimed a blow at me with a pistol, which missed me, and he instantly

fell down at my feet. Another Arab came up with a poignard in his hand;

he attempted to stab me in the breast, when, by a kind of miracle, in

lifting his hand round his head, he entangled his arm in his turban,

which flowed upon his shoulders. I took that opportunity to strike him a

blow with the butt end of my pistol, and pushed him so roughly, that he

fell down in a state of insensibility. This was the only use I made of

my arms. I had nothing wherewith to recharge the pistol, although, in

general, they never go to battle without at least four or five rounds of

ammunition. It had twice missed fire with me. These accidents frequently

happen with them, as both their arms and powder are very bad. However,

the battles of the Arabs are very quickly decided. The greatest harm

these savages do to one another in their skirmishes, is by tearing the

face with their nails, and striking with the poignard. The camels,

generally accustomed to these battles, throw themselves with loud cries

into the crowd. They bite and disperse their enemies more readily than

armed troopers could do.

When the conflict was ended, many of the Arabs came to me, saying, that

I had fought well, very well indeed. They were convinced I had killed

three men, although I had only wounded one. I however allowed them to

enjoy their opinion, and took care to empty my pistol, that my character

as a warrior might not suffer.

Since Providence still spares me, said I then to myself, I can try every

method to escape. I projected a scheme to get away, and to carry off

from my master all the treasure which I had given him. With these

effects, I proposed to go over to another tribe. Mark my reasonings. If

any Arab should meet me, he will not wish for a more favourable

opportunity to secrete himself, in order to put my booty in safety, and

I would engage him to conduct me quickly to Morocco. This project

appeared to me to be an excellent one. Ignorant of the road which I must

take, and the dangers which I ran, I hasted to put it in execution. It

succeeded so far very well. I concealed myself in a hole till the

morning, with a design not only to carry off the treasure, but also

either a good or bad covering, as it might occur, to defend me from the

cold.

Sidy Mahammet soon observed that his treasure was amissing. He ran

quickly to the foot of the bush where I lay. Entreaties, threatenings,

and caresses, were all employed, in order to prevail upon me to return

his goods; and above all, he entreated me not to speak of them to any

person. "I swear to you by Mahomet, by all that I value most," said he

to me, "that I will cause you to be soon conducted to Mogador. I promise

that I will make you a free man the very first opportunity. Restore to

me, I beseech you, that which you formerly gave me. If my wife, who is

just about being delivered, comes to learn my misfortune, it will

affect her very seriously; she will lose her infant, and perhaps her

life. Think what evils you will occasion."

This observation of Sidy Mahammet would not have affected me greatly,

had I not recollected during the night, that it was very possible I

might fall into the hands of some unfortunate wretch, too poor to

undertake so long a journey, and who, to make sure of what I had, might

put an end to my days with his poignard. I made a virtue of necessity,

and pretended to restore them, because of his entreaties. I remarked

what ascendancy his fear gave me over him, and assured him, that if he

broke his word, I would most certainly take again all that I had given

him. He renewed his oaths, and promised to give me punctually, for the

time to come, a portion of milk, evening and morning. He kept his

promise, but never went from home. He feared that his neighbours, with

whom I had constant intercourse, and especially his relations, would

hear of the seizure which I had lately made, and that some other time

his dear casket of jewels might be taken from him for ever. I believe he

now sincerely wished to get quit of me, and Heaven soon furnished him

with an opportunity, which I had so long wished for.

Chance conducted to the place which I had bathed with my tears, Sidy

Mouhamet, sheriff of the tribe of Trargea. He saw me, and asked who I

was. He was made acquainted with my history; they boasted to him

particularly of my great possessions at Senegal, in powder, guns, &c.

The sheriff immediately called me, and inquired what was my situation at

the island of St Louis. I answered his inquiries. He observed me a

little more attentively, and then cried out, Are you Brisson? Alas! Yes,

I am the same. He was immediately surprised. Do you know that Christian,

added he, all the property at Senegal is his. This man had imagined,

that all the effects in the king's magazines, which he had seen me order

to be delivered, were my own property. My master's brother-in-law,

encouraged by these few words, did not hesitate long in making a

purchase of me, which he did for five camels.

I did not know of this bargain being concluded, when I was one day

struck all at once with surprise and joy. I had returned with my master

from giving the camels drink (for the third time in three months), and

his wife had ordered me to go and carry into the neighbouring tent a

leathern bucket which she had borrowed. Sidy Sellem, whom I have just

mentioned, was there; he called me, and ordered me to prepare to go with

him the next day to Mogador. I had been so often flattered with this

hope, and had so often been disappointed in my expectation, that I could

not persuade myself that what he said was truth. However, some persons

who heard what the Arab said to me, assured me that it was no deception.

The old man himself again protested this to me. I threw myself at his

feet, I wept, I sobbed, I laughed, I did not know where I was. Alas! who

can estimate the value of liberty? or form an idea of what I felt, when

I understood that my fetters were indeed broken?

My first master called me, and told me I was no longer his property. "I

have fulfilled my promise," added he, "you shall again see your native

country." I forgot in that moment all my resentment, and gave myself up

to unbounded joy. It was no small addition to my satisfaction, when I

understood I was to have a companion on the journey. "We are to meet

with some others at a little distance," added he. How little did I

expect to find the unhappy baker there. I asked at him, when I saw him,

by what miracle he had been raised from the dead. "Alas!" he answered

me, "I know not how it comes to pass that I am not indeed dead. Sidy

Mahammet surprised me one day sucking a she-camel. He ran up to me, gave

me several blows, and grasped me so hard by the neck, that I fell down

almost lifeless at his feet. I was greatly surprised, on recovering from

my trance, to find myself alone. I found my neck was all bloody, and you

may see the marks of his nails at this hour. I crept upon my hands into

a hole in a rock. The echo frequently caused the voice of my barbarous

master to resound in my ears; he had come again a little after in quest

of me, or at least to see what was become of me. Not having fallen upon

the place where he thought he left me expiring, he called upon me on all

sides; but I would not answer him. I had resolved with myself, either to

perish with hunger, or to reach the borders of the sea, in hopes of

seeing some ship. I arrived at length, after ten days travel, having

nothing to support me but snails, and urine for my drink. The sight of a

little fishing smack, which had anchored near the land, redoubled my

strength. I ran as fast as I could by the water's edge, endeavouring to

make them observe me by signs, and to get the captain to send a boat

for me. But I had scarcely entered upon the rocks which border on the

sea, when I was seized by two young Arabs,[28] who dragged me to some

distance from the sea-coast. The fright occasioned by having fallen into

their hands, disappointment in having failed in my enterprise, and

particularly hunger, had altogether reduced me to such an extremity,

that I would certainly have expired, had not they very quickly given me

some support. They took very great care of me, and from that day became

my masters. I had the charge of keeping their goats, for they have no

other flocks, nor any other livelihood but what they procure by means of

their fish. They appeared to be a much more pleasant people than those

who inhabit the inland part of the country; they are more industrious.

About fifteen days afterwards, they informed me they were to conduct me

to the Sultan; and if they carried me thither, I believed they would

meet with your master at the rendezvous, and inform him that they had

arrested me. I much wished, Sir," added he, "that you had been with me,

well convinced that you would have been happier, for I found no cause to

be displeased with these people. They often spoke to me about you; it

appeared that they all had known of you.[29] But at last we have met.

What are they to do with us? Are they to conduct us to the Emperor of

Morocco?"

[Footnote 28: The Arabs who dwell along that coast live upon their

fish. They are exceedingly poor, but of much milder manners than

the inhabitants of the interior parts, by whom they are greatly

despised.]

[Footnote 29: The jewels which I had given Sidy Mahammet had made

so much noise through all the country, that the travelling Arabs

who passed through our districts asked frequently at my companions

in misfortune, when they met me--_Es Brisson?_]

After having heard the baker's history, I answered his inquiries to this

purpose, that we were to set out to Morocco, but that we had a very long

journey to make. "We have much to suffer," added I, "as we must follow

the track of the camels; I know not, besides, on what we are to subsist,

for we have no she-camels, and of consequence can have no milk. I am

persuaded we will be obliged to beg our way from village to village,

which will greatly retard our journey."

The next day the inhabitants of the tribe of Trarge assembled around

Sidy Sellem, and made a long prayer; after which they brought both to

him and us a kettle full of broth, prepared with meal of a wild grain,

of which I believe I had formerly heard them speak. They added to this

mess a large portion of milk, and their best wishes for a good journey

to us.

Sidy Mahammet bade me a very affecting adieu. "Adieu, Brisson," said he

to me, "you are about to undertake a very long and troublesome journey.

You may easily conceive what reasons I have to fear the exposing myself

to it. I wish you may have a safe journey, and that your sea-voyage may

be more fortunate than the last; adieu, forget not to send a piece of

scarlet cloth to my wife. You will give it in charge to Sidy Sellem.

Adieu, my friend Brisson." The tears which accompanied these last words

would certainly have imposed upon me, if I had not known how capable he

was to deceive. However, the pleasure I felt in getting away from him,

enabled me to express some gratitude. I engaged to send what he wanted

for his wife. He assisted me in mounting a stout camel which was

appointed for me and the baker, but we were obliged to leave it a few

days after; we were not the only persons who did so. These animals not

finding pasturage, were not in a condition to continue the journey;

besides, the camels in this country are not able to endure so much

fatigue. On the other hand, we were not able to keep our seats very

long, as they had no saddles. We were therefore obliged to walk on foot

the rest of our journey. Judge what I suffered, when the sand penetrated

into the wounds of my feet, and when the thistles opened these wounds

again afresh. I frequently fell down without expecting I would be able

to rise again. At the same time I had frequently to turn, sometimes to

the right, and sometimes to the left, to reassemble the camels which

fell behind; and we were often obliged to make counter marches to avoid

these hordes of Arabs, whom we had reason to fear might pursue us.

One day,--Alas! the recollection of that unhappy day will long be

imprinted on my memory!--we descended into a valley which was covered

with verdure by the rains which had lately fallen. My master therefore

made a halt here, in order that the famished camels might get a little

nourishment. He ascended to an eminence, upon a high mountain which

surrounded part of the valley. He sat down a little there, while his own

beast and the other camels should feed, as he meant to carry them to the

city and sell them. I passed on before him to reach the summit of the

mountain, supposing that to be the road which we were to follow. What

confirmed me in my opinion was, that the old man permitted me to

continue my journey, and I also observed the path which I took was a

beaten one. At length, having reached the top, I went to a little

distance from the road, to shake my long beard, which was constantly

filled with vermin, notwithstanding all my care. Having lain near an

hour quiet behind a bush, without seeing any of the travellers appear, I

returned again to the edge of the hill. My God, what was my astonishment

when I could see no person! Where are they? Which way have they gone?

What road shall I take? As the hordes which encamped in this

neighbourhood came thither to feed their flocks, a great number of

different roads met here. I could not think of any other way, than to

cry aloud different times on Sidy Sellem. At length I observed at a

distance four or five Arabs, who were coming up towards me. I ran to

meet them, supposing them to belong to our company. I soon discovered my

mistake; a great dog, and one of the stoutest of the barbarians, made up

to me at the same time. The Arab aimed a blow at me with the back of the

blade of his sabre, which struck me on the head. The others coming up,

drew me among the rocks, where they had an asylum, and there prepared to

place me in a frightful situation.

See then the hope of recovering my liberty entirely lost! My slavery

promised to be harder now than ever. I was absorbed in these

reflections, when the assassins conducted me to a declivity, which led

to a place, where they expected to hide me from the sight of their

companions. Suddenly I observed our flocks, and our little caravan, to

the number of twenty persons, in a valley which surrounded the

mountains. I luckily escaped out of the hands of my plunderers, and

found as much strength, as enabled me to reach to my old man. The

vagabonds affrighted, took to their heels.

My master reprimanded me severely, and charged me never to separate from

him again. I complained on my part, that he had not stopped me, when he

observed that the road which I pursued, was not that which he himself

was to take, and by his silence, I supposed I was right; in a word, that

he had gone off without calling me back, and that he had not sent any

person in search of me. He gave me for answer, that he had not stopped

me in the road I had taken, because he intended to follow me

immediately; but he had been under the necessity of going after the

camels, who had strayed through the valley, eating the green herbs, of

which they had been long deprived. "I was preparing to overtake you,"

said he, "at the very moment, when the sound of your voice reached me,

and apprised me both of your danger, and of that to which I would have

been exposed in following you. But I durst not risk my camels, nor

hazard my own life, to preserve yours; we have, besides, no time to

lose; let us escape as quickly as possible, from a place, in which I am

in as great danger as yourself." In consequence, we doubled our pace,

for the following six hours, and made a cross-march, in order to deceive

those who might be disposed to follow us. We eat no food the next and

following day, until the evening. I had taken nothing for my support for

two days, but a few handfuls of wild succory, which I had gathered in

the fatal valley.

The day following, we were in an open country. We had passed over the

hills, and travelled through plains, filled with calcined flint-stones,

which resembled smith's charcoal. Above these stones, arose at a little

distance, a whitish earth, upon which we saw great trunks of trees,

heaped upon one another, the roots of which were torn off. The bark was

entirely stripped off, and the branches, brittle as glass, were twisted

like cords. The wood was of a yellowish colour, like the wood of

liquorice, and besides, the inside of these trees was filled with a

powder, very hard to the touch. All this announced to me a very

extraordinary revolution. I was anxious to learn, if these trunks had

any taste of sulphur; but neither the wood, the dust enclosed in the

heart of the trees, nor the calcined stones, had either taste or smell.

At some distance, we found the mountains of a prodigious height,

appearing as if they were piled one above another. The rocks, which were

detached, had formed, by their crumbling down, as it were precipices.

Others, suspended in the air, threatened to crush in pieces the

traveller below. Others, again, in their striking one upon another, by

receiving in their shock, slimy earth, which hurled down continually,

formed frightful caverns. The surrounding valleys were filled with

rocks, which appeared to rise one above another, and produced new

masses, not less frightful. To conclude, it appeared like a long range

of mountains, from which pieces of a great size were frequently falling,

which were reduced to dust, before they reached the ground.

From another side issued two fountains, one of which drew along with it,

in its course, a black slimy stuff, which occasioned a sulphurous

smell. The other, separated from the first, by a small isthmus of sand,

from twelve to fifteen paces broad, is clearer than crystal. The taste

of these waters is pretty agreeable; the bottom of their bed is filled

with small stones of various colours, which presented to the eye a

delightful prospect.

It was in the same place I observed a singularity, which I submit to the

understanding of my readers. In a valley, which appeared at first sight,

to be very much circumscribed by the number of surrounding mountains,

across threatening vaults, formed by the falling of different rocks,

heaped upon one another, I discovered an immense region, which

astonished me by the variety which it presented to our view. At the

first entrance of this valley, the ground is moist and furrowed, as if

rivulets had formerly winded through it. The borders of these furrows

were covered with many beds, and thickly spread over with a nitrous kind

of ice. The rocks, which served to enclose them, were covered with the

same, and had a near resemblance to cascades. The thick reddish roots,

and the branches, covered with leaves, like those of the laurel tree,

crept across the different crevices. At a greater distance, on advancing

towards the west, we saw pyramids of great stones, as white as

alabaster, towering one above another, which seemed to indicate the

border of a bank, and above which very high date-trees grew up, of which

the trunks were warped round even to the top. The palm trees, extended

upon a mass of stones, by their length and colour, gave proof of their

antiquity. Others, lying across here and there, and wholly stripped of

their bark, afforded a very dismal spectacle.

I split one of the palm-trees with my nails, and put a piece of it in my

mouth; it had a taste, at once bitter and salt, but no smell. Those

which were overturned, fell in pieces immediately upon my touching them;

and the filaments which remained under the bark, were covered over with

a saltish powder, as clear as crystal. The roots which hung far down

from the rocks were glutinous, and the bark broke off with the least

touch. I plucked up several branches of wild laurel, from which I

immediately distilled some white drops, one of which, having fallen upon

my hand, occasioned a very smart pain, and a black spot, which took off

the skin. I durst not venture to taste it. In a word, the stones, the

nitrous beds, the overturned date-trees and others, enveloped to the

very top the immense plain covered with an extremely fine salt, the

ground cut and furrowed, which appeared to have been turned up by the

torrents, those rent mountains, if I may use the expression, all seemed

to indicate, that at some former period, the scum of the sea had been

carried into these places. I asked at Sidy Sellem, if we were far from

the sea, and if ever it had passed that way? He told me, that we were

perhaps the first of the human race who had landed there; that he was

looking for the sea, which ought to be before us, in order to discover

the places where, he had been told, some Arab camps were to be found,

among whom he had friends who had accompanied him in a journey to Mecca.

"Keep yourself easy," added he, "the sun is my guide, he will conduct me

where I wish to go. You may therefore follow, without fear, the

footsteps of the camels." Indeed, I thought that I walked with

considerable ease; but it was not long, when I began to feel excessive

pain, as my feet, severely torn, were filled with a kind of saltish

dust. How greatly was I astonished, when, after two days' travelling, I

found we were on the brink of the sea, and perceived below me the

rolling waves foaming upon a frightful precipice! Towards the east,

where I then was, its course was limited by immense rocks. On

considering this elevation, I could not persuade myself, that ever this

element had carried its waves to such a height. The rocks, said I to

myself, would then serve for a bed to it. I lost myself in my

conjectures;--besides, I set out at first to report facts, and it is not

my province to make learned dissertations.

After some days journey farther, gradually advancing towards Morocco, we

found other mountains no less elevated than the first, covered with

stones of rose, violet, citron and green colours, and I observed

extensive forests at a distance. I had not seen any before all the

thirteen months I had been in the deserts. I was astonished to see the

trunks of trees coming out of the centre of rocks, and to appearance

hanging down like fruits. I saw with surprise also the roebucks running

after one another, upon these same trees, leaping on the hanging rocks

with incredible velocity, when they perceived any one following them.

The moment one of them took to flight, the rest immediately followed. I

observed, among many other trees, that of which the leaf resembled the

gum-tree, or our parsley, to be the only one of the different kinds

which I had seen, in all these countries, that had suffered from

lightning. The thunder had no influence upon the rest.

We travelled through the forests for three days. We had spent already

four nights, and, during that time, had not heard any thing of the

fierce animals, with which the deserts of Africa are overspread. They

must certainly inhabit the country which lies far to the eastward; but

how do they procure water?

The more we advanced, the more my distress abated. We frequently found

fields of barley ready to be reaped. I sat down and ate, with a degree

of pleasure which I cannot express. The water now also became more

abundant. On every side, we frequently fell in with villages, where we

were well received. In others, where we would not have been so safe,

Sidy Sellem was much respected, as he had formerly made a journey to

Mecca. However, the Arabs of the tribe of Telkoennes exceeded all in

their attention to us.

After having paid Sidy Sellem all the customary honours due to a

stranger, they caused to be set before him, at the usual hour, barley,

meal, and milk. He gave me the remainder of his supper, which I went to

eat apart with my new comrade the baker; for, especially on a journey, a

Christian ought neither to eat nor drink, and far less to sleep, beside

his master. My repast being ended, I dug a hole in the sand, in order to

screen myself from the cold. To prevent the sand from entering into my

eyes, I covered my head with a piece of packing-cloth, which I wore

about my middle. But I had scarcely closed my eyes, when I heard the

report of two gunshots, which appeared to have been fired hard by me,

and immediately I was seized by the body. I very readily threw off me

the covering of sand which I had made myself, and which was warm. One

of those who held me, asked me if I was wounded. I supposed that the

fire, which had taken hold of my linen, had come from the wadding of the

gun. "No," replied I, "but on what account do you treat me in this

manner?"--"Sir,"[30] answered he, "follow us." My master, who had been

awakened by the report of the gun, ran towards the place where he had

heard my voice. He complained of their abusing in such a manner one of

his slaves, and that they had violated the laws of hospitality towards

such a man as he was. The Arab of the mountains, in reply, told him,

with an imperious tone, that during the night he watched his flock, not

knowing that I belonged to his retinue; and having seen a man conceal

himself in the sand, he had supposed him to be one of those robbers,

who, during the night, come to carry off their young goats. Sidy Sellem

pretended to believe him, commended his zeal, and took me out of his

hands. As soon as he imagined that the village was all quiet, he left a

place where he was as much afraid of his own safety as mine.

[Footnote 30: The language which they speak in the Desert, differs

from that spoken in the capital. Sidy Sellem, who was considered

as a scholar among them, was obliged to repeat several times,

before he could make himself understood by Effendy, who

interrogated him in the presence of the Emperor.]

The Arabs of the tribe of Telkoennes are the worst situated of any that

I have seen in all the Desert. They live in the midst of mountains of

sand, raised by the winds. One would think they endeavoured to hide

themselves from the light of day, so difficult is it to penetrate into

their retreats, or to find the way out of them. The plains in their

neighbourhood abound with prodigious serpents. Three times I had

occasion to see them frighten our camels; and the animals, when

affrighted, fled, and obliged the baker and myself to take long races in

order to assemble them again.

At last we approached to the famous city of Guadnum, of which I had

heard so much talking for a long time past. It was across a cave of

rocks, that I saw at a distance a city built upon an eminence, the

environs of which announced formidable fortifications. When we drew near

it, a little after, I could see no more than earthen bulwarks, almost

all broken down. We observed some of the inhabitants, who appeared at

small windows opposite to us. They seemed to be meditating some wicked

action. The chief of the village, having learned that Sidy Sellem was

the leader of this small caravan, came to meet him, attended by four

negro slaves. They carried on their heads a basket of dates, which their

master had presented as a mark of respect to him. "Is this Guadnum which

I see?" I asked at Sidy Sellem. "No," replied he, "it is Fort Labat. The

city is very near; you may observe it." Indeed, we arrived there two

hours after.

This city, so much longed for, is the refuge of all the most resolute

rebels of the different tribes. It is divided into two parts. The lower

part is commanded by Sidy Adalla, There was a governor for the higher

part, which is situated upon a little hill, and which very much

resembles Fort Labat. Almost all the houses are built in the same

manner. Four great walls occupy an immense space of ground. All those

of the same part, build a house which will only admit light by the door

and the top, which remains uncovered. The four walls which surround the

house are very high. There is only one gate in all their circumference.

This is guarded by large dogs. Every particular person has his own dog

to protect himself; and without this precaution, although enclosed

within walls, would have no security against the depredations of any

neighbour more daring, or more skillful than himself.

I could not reconcile this general mistrust with the considerable trade

which was carried on in this city. I saw two markets in it, which

certainly were not inferior in any respect to the largest fairs in the

provinces of France. Though specie of different kinds circulates here, I

am inclined to think that their trade is principally carried on by

barter. Fine wool may be found here in great abundance, and, above all,

woollen stuffs, half white and half crimson, which are used by the

inhabitants for their dresses. The merchants who purchase them, in order

to sell them in the interior parts of the country, give camels in

exchange.

Their ordinary profit is four hundred per cent.; and on these articles

they gain much less than on wheat, barley, dates, horses, sheep, goats,

oxen, she-asses, tobacco, gunpowder, combs, small mirrors, and other

toys, which are not carried to a great distance. They are consumed in

certain small towns of the country, in each of which a market is held on

fixed days. What is very surprising is, that the Jews are almost the

only people who carry on this trade. They are, however, exposed to the

most humiliating insults. An Arab snatches the bread from[31] the hand

of an Israelite, enters his house, makes him give him a handful of

tobacco, often beats him, and always behaves to him with insolence; and

yet the poor Jew must suffer with patience. It is true, that he

indemnifies himself after his own manner; that is to say, by the address

with which he disposes of his merchandise to advantage, and by the

cunning by which he overreaches an Arab. The latter, in general, are

exceedingly stupid.

[Footnote 31: It was at Guadnum that I first saw bread again.

Whether brick or stones be scarce, or they have not learned the

method of laying their ovens with these materials, I cannot say;

but their custom is, to make little flint-stones, red hot, and on

them bake their dough. The bread is pretty good. That which the

emperor caused to be provided for the consul, appeared to be baked

in a different manner, though I cannot say how. I found it more

agreeable to the taste.]

I met with a Moor in this city, who happened to have been at the

sea-shore the very time of our shipwreck. I owe him an acknowledgment,

for he treated me well. His sister-in-law, Paphye, appeared to take a

very lively concern in my situation. During eight days I spent in

Guadnum, she employed me in grinding some corn. She entertained me well,

and, I may say, showed me numberless instances of care and attention.

She wished much that I would stay with her. But nothing can equal the

generous assistance I received from Aaron the Jew, and his wives,

notwithstanding the ingratitude which they have often experienced from

many Christian slaves.

I left Guadnum, after having rested there eight days. On the road to

Mogador, I found nothing but villages or castles, situated, for the most

part, on very high mountains. At a distance, one would suppose them

superb edifices, but, on coming nearer, we found them much the same with

the others. We were very well entertained. The nearer we approached the

city, however, we found the less hospitality. There is reason to believe

the inhabitants are afraid of the affluence of foreign travellers.

We were sixty-six days on this march; my strength was exhausted, my

limbs swelled, and my feet almost in a state of suppuration.[32] I had

infallibly sunk under it, if my master, to encourage me, had not

constantly said to me, "Keep up your heart, there is the sea, behold the

ships; take courage, we will be soon there." Hope supported me; and, in

a moment, when I had not the least expectation of it, at length I

perceived that element of which I had so much cause to complain, and

which was still to be the arbiter of my fate. Sidy Sellem, without

doubt, wished to enjoy my surprise. On coming out of a labyrinth of

broom, we arrived at the top of some hillocks of sand.--Oh! you who read

this history, which is too true, you never can form an idea of the joy

which I felt at that moment, when I again saw the flag of France, and

that of other nations, flying at the stern of the different ships, at

anchor in the road of Mogador, which I still knew by no other name than

that of Soira. "Very well! Brisson," said my master to me; "Very

well!--Speak, wont you?--Are you satisfied?--Do you see these

vessels?--Do you want those of France?--I promised to conduct you to

the Consul, you see I have kept my word: but what? you give me no

answer!"--Alas! what could I answer? my tears could not find vent; I

could not articulate a syllable. I looked at the sea, the flags, the

ships, the city, and I thought that all was a dream. The unhappy baker,

not less exhausted, and equally astonished with myself, mingled his sobs

with mine. My tears trickled down upon the hands of the generous old

man, who had made me so happy with an agreeable surprise.

[Footnote 32: A thorn of a gum bush had run into my foot, which I

could not get extracted, till it was entirely putrified.]

At length we arrived in the city, but still I was not without my fears.

I trembled lest I should be retained as a slave. I had access to know,

before I left France, that the emperor had abused M. Chenier, and that

he had made his complaint at court. I had not learned if France had paid

any attention to it, or if a new consul had been appointed; but in every

case I had cause to fear. I was not long, however, in being set at ease.

On entering the city, I met two Europeans, "Who and what are you," said

I to them, "you see my misery, condescend to assist me. Comfort me,

support me. Where am I? From what country are you? What month is this?

and what day of it?" I was addressing natives of Bourdeaux, who, after

having considered, went to inform Messrs Duprat and Cabannes, who had

made it their business to relieve any unhappy persons, whom unlucky

accident had thrown upon their coast. They came to meet me; and, without

being ashamed at my shocking appearance, they took me in their arms, and

bathed me with the tears, which the joy of relieving an unfortunate man

made them shed. "Your misfortunes are at an end, Sir," said they to me;

"come with us; we will do our best to make you forget your troubles."

They carried me immediately away with them, after having desired my

master to follow us, and to make himself easy, as to any arrangements

which I had it now in my power to make with him. I entreated these

gentlemen to permit me to take along with me, not only Sidy Sellem, but

also his son. Their house became as my own. Care, attention,

friendship--all were heaped upon me without affectation. They dressed me

from head to foot in their own clothes, till such time as I could get

some made to answer my shape. I was visited soon after by all the

Europeans who were at Mogador; they congratulated me upon the change in

my condition, and particularly that I had arrived at so favourable a

juncture, as that of the entry of a new consul, who had brought with him

from France very considerable presents to the Emperor.

I was presented the same day to the governor of the place, who signified

to us an order to go to Morocco. The king had given a declaration to

that effect. He wished to see all the slaves with his own eyes, and that

they should hear from his own mouth, the proclamation of their liberty.

We therefore set out in about eight days after, with a guard, which

accompanied the treasure, my master, myself and the baker, as Sidy

Mahammet had sent him by his brother, reserving to himself the ransom

which he might receive for him. We were supplied with mules, a tent,

victuals, and men to serve us. We arrived after four days journey.

The first thing I observed, was the steeple of one of the mosques, which

appeared to be at a great distance. I expected to see the dwelling of

ancient emperors, and other remains of antiquity, but I could observe

nothing except the residence of the king of Fez and Mequinez. The walls

which surround the palace are of earth, and the two corners are wholly

in ruins. One would have supposed them to be the enclosure of a

churchyard. The houses in the neighbourhood of the park are low, and

built in the same manner as those of Guadnum, but dirtier, and not so

well aired.

The guard who attended my person, presented me to the consul and

vice-consul. They offered me board and lodging, till I should set out

for France. A second guard very soon came to acquaint me, that, the

emperor informed of my arrival, had ordered me to appear immediately

before him. I therefore followed this messenger, who conducted me

through vast courts, where I saw nothing but very high walls of sand,

and a scorching sun, which darted right on our heads the whole day. I at

length reached the palace, where his majesty's guards are assembled.

Those who attend his majesty's person, are armed with a gun. Their dress

consists of one coat of any colour, and a cloak, similar to those of the

capuchin friars. They have on their head a small red cap, with a blue

tassel at top. Their naked feet only half enter their slippers, which

they are obliged to drag after them. They carry the case of their gun in

the form of St Andrew's Cross, and have a girdle around their body, by

which hangs a cartouch box. Those who do not belong to this corps, have

only a white staff for all their armour.

The horsemen are dressed in the same manner. They wear half-boots on

their feet, and great spurs of nine or ten inches long, which resemble

so many spikes of iron. Their horses have always their sides opened to

the quick; the riders jag them continually, and appear to have pleasure

in it. This is a faithful portrait of the troops of his majesty the King

of Morocco.

While I waited for an audience, I saw a captain review his troops. He

sat down on the ground, his chin leaning on his two hands, and his arms

placed on his knees, and turned up towards his chin. He made the

soldiers advance two by two, and gave them the word of command. These,

having prostrated themselves before him, retired behind, and went about

their affairs.

Five or six of those who were armed with clubs, seized me by the collar,

as if I had been a criminal. They caused open two great folding gates,

like those of our granaries, and pushed me roughly into the park.

Perils and Captivity Comprising The sufferings of the Picard family after the shipwreck of the Medusa, in the year 1816; Narrative of the captivity of M. de Brisson, in the year 1785; Voyage of Madame Godin along the river of the Amazons, in the year 1770. · 第 17 / 18 章

Nouegem (this was the name of my deliverer) conducted me straight to the