me know by giving the watch-word to this
man, and he will then know what to do; and depend thou on my seeing
justice done to thee for the aggression." The marauder came; the
Arab repaired to the guard of the imperial tent, and gave the word;
the guard apprised the emperor, as he was directed, who personally
repaired to the tent of the Arab, and, being convinced of the fact,
ran the man through with his lance; this was done without a light.
The body was brought before the tent, and it was discovered to be
an officer of the imperial guard. The Emperor, on seeing that it
was not a shereef (a prince) prostrated himself in fervent prayer
for a considerable time. The courtiers who were all assembled by
this time to witness this extraordinary occurrence, wondered what
could induce the Emperor to be so fervent in prayer; which his
majesty observing, told them, "that he went alone to the tent,
308 thinking that nobody but a shereef would have dared to commit such
a breach of hospitality, in so open a manner; therefore he killed
him without having a light, lest, on discovering him to be a
prince, personal affection might give way to justice; but that when
he discovered that it was not a relation, he returned thanks to God
Almighty, that, in his determination to have justice administered,
he had not killed his own son!"

[Footnote 192: _Keyma_ is the name for an Arab's tent; they are
made of goats' hair, and are black.]

_Contest between the Emperor and the Berebbers of Atlas_.

March 10, 1797. The Sultan Soliman proceeds with a powerful army
against the warlike province of Shawiya, the rebellious Arabs'
retreat. The imperial army takes some of the women who are renowned
for personal charms. The army can get no food; and, being in danger
of starving, returns to Salee. The Arabs promise submission, in
hopes of having the women restored; but the Emperor's officers
violate them. The Arabs swear vengeance (_alia l'imin_[193]) by
their right hand. The emperor attacks them again, is repulsed, and
returns to Fas.

[Footnote 193: _Alia l'imin_, swearing by the right hand, is a
sacred oath; and those who take it will not swerve from its
obligation, which is peremptory.]

_Characteristic Trait of Muhamedans_.

One of the Emperor's minis