f his life lived among them. "Where is the
Emperor's guard?" the mountaineers enquired; "for we are in search
of them: we hear he is coming to attack us, in our inaccessible
mountains; but we will be beforehand with him, and dispatch him
before he reaches us. Dost thou know where he is, or where his
guard is." "We do know," replied the Emperor; "for, about an hour
behind us, we passed a few men on horseback, among whom was the
Emperor; but the army is a long way behind: if you make speed, you
will soon pass him, and it will be an easy matter for you to put
306 the whole party to the sword, for they are not a dozen altogether."
The Berebbers, elated with this news, communicated from a party
whom they mistook for brethren of the neighbouring kabyl, rode off
at speed to seek their enemy, and in a short time found themselves
surrounded by the Emperor's army, who were scattered about in
ambush. These Berebbers were all secured, and were threatened with
torture if they would not discover where the army of their brethren
was, and what was their plan. The party discovered the plan and the
place of their encampment, which was not far off in recesses of the
mountain, and received a promise of remuneration if found correct.
By this discovery, the imperial army was enabled to surprise the
rebels; the latter were dispersed, and their houses burned. Thus
were they prevented from _harassing_ the Emperor's army, which is
their ordinary mode of warfare. To subjugate these people would be
impossible: it has often been attempted, but never succeeded. The
only lien the Emperor can get of them is, by having at court about
his person their sheik, whom he then makes answerable for the
obedience of the kabyl.

_Moral Justice_.

The imperial army being encamped in Temsena, on the confines of
307 Tedla, (see the map,) an Arab chieftain found that a friend of the
Emperor came into his _keyma_[192] at night, and took liberties
with his wife. The Arab suspected that he was (_shereef_) a prince,
and therefore did not dare to kill him, but preferred a complaint
to the Emperor. The Emperor was vexed to hear of such a gross
breach of hospitality, and asked what time he made his visits? "At
one hour after midnight," the Arab replied. Then, said the Emperor,
"when he comes, do you let