ere 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. Wh