Puslapio vaizdai
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THE SULTAN ENTHRONED IN HIS TENT, ATTENDED BY THE MINISTER OF WAR
Mountain goats have the run of the palace grounds

Sultan's purpose to lure me into the interior
and there to rid his dominion at one stroke
of a rank offender against the law, together
with the evidences of his crime. Would it
not be the very irony of fate if I should
now suffer imprisonment, torture, or even
death for doing only too well that which,
for doing so vilely, I was inclined in my
modest moments to confess myself deserv-
ing of the extreme penalty of the law? If,
on the other hand, the Sultan, acting in
good faith and defying the religion and
traditions of his race, desired to engage a
painter for his court, here was the oppor-
tunity for which I had been looking, and
which had come to no other man- the op-
portunity to secure, under the protecting

for the journey, and engaged our escort of soldiers. One incident of the journey, which lay through stretches of almost desert country, I shall never forget. I had been told that the Atlas Mountains would come into view about a day's journey from our destination. So, eagerly, on the morning of the fourth day, I was on the lookout for the first glimpse of the highest peaks. For hours I scanned the horizon in vain. Only vast stretches of waste, some low hills in the distance, and the sky above greeted the eyes. We jogged on with our tired mules until about two in the afternoon, when, chancing to look up, for a moment my heart stood still as with an electric shock. There, high above the

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collection of soldiers ever seen off the comic-opera stage-boys of ten or twelve, carrying antiquated guns twice their own length; old and middle-aged men, armed with bayonets, swords, and drums, and dressed in uniforms of such variety of cut and color that "polyforms" would seem to be the better term. At intervals smartlooking soldiers, carrying quite modern weapons, passed by: these were the harabba, the Sultan's own.

However, as I was impatient to learn the fate awaiting me within the walls of the citadel, we soon passed through the Red Gate into the red city; for the walls, built of the earth upon which they stand, are all of a dull, faded red. As directly as the narrow, winding streets would permit, we made for the residence of the Amin, Minister of Finance, - who expected me, and I was immediately shown into his presence. I had on the dress of the Moors, but not being at that time thoroughly familiar with the customs of the people, I had failed to remove my slippers upon entering the house. Soon realizing my mistake, however, I apologized for this breach of etiquette; but my genial host assured me that there was no offense, as he knew something of the manners of the English, having spent some time among them. After offering me refreshments-tea, almond-paste, and sweets of all kinds-he advised me to go at once to the house to which I had been assigned and prepare to meet the Sultan, who was impatiently awaiting my arrival.

I followed the soldiers, acting as guides, to my residence, which, upon inspection, I refused to accept. Small, old, and dirty, it was far from being the mansion promised me by the Sultan's representative in Tangier. My guides urged me to take this until a more desirable place could be found. This I would not do, knowing that if I once accepted it I should get no better, and I simply sat down on my baggage and told them that I would wait there until they found me a suitable house.

They left, and in about an hour's time returned, saying they had found me one of the best houses in the Kasbah. I followed them, and, upon entering the little garden, was met by a grand man, surrounded by soldiers, no less a personage than the governor of the Kasbah himself, who welcomed me to my house and assured

me that I had but to mention my wants and they would be immediately supplied. Taking me mysteriously aside, he asked me for medicines for various ailments with which he was afflicted, which I promptly gave him.

The place, he explained, was not in the best condition, but there were very few houses to be had, and they were obliged to turn out one of the Sultan's personal attendants to secure me this. Then assuming a truly magnificent attitude of command (with which I hope I appeared duly impressed), he sent the men scurrying about to make the many changes which I suggested. The gardeners at the palace grounds were sent for, and presently appeared, bringing plants and flowers. Carpenters and masons were set to work, and soon the place began to take on a more inviting look.

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In the midst of this excitement three court soldiers came running in, crying, "Our lord wishes to see the master" and in spite of my protests for time to make myself presentable, they hurried me on toward the palace, saying: “The Sultan waits for no man."

Passing through a number of gates and tortuous passages, we reached an inner portal, which was opened in response to our knock by a very dignified Moor, who, perceiving me in the garb of a Mussulman, instructed me to return to my house at once and put on my regular attire, as his Majesty wished to see me in European dress. I explained that I had been told to wear the costume of the country, but he insisted that "our lord desires to see the other clothes." I protested that I had none other save the clothes I had traveled in, and that I did not care to appear at court as a burlesque entertainer. Upon this he disappeared, to return a moment later with the ultimatum that the Sultan would receive me only in the dress of the Christian, and reluctantly I went back to my house to make the change.

I was beginning to feel considerably out of sorts. Thinking this due, perhaps, to the fact that I had not as yet partaken of any breakfast, I proceeded to do so at once. Now soldiers appeared, urging me to make haste, and, as I continued my meal, more soldiers arrived upon the scene, until they came piling in like ants from an ant-hill. "The Sultan waits for no man,"

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THE SULTAN AND THE MINISTER OF WAR WATCHING THE ROYAL FIREWORKS IN THE PALACE GROUNDS, MOROCCO CITY

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