rew near. Tahara was moving along firmly with
her hand in mine. The gate was still open!--that was a relief. We hurried
through, and, seeing a group of soldiers waiting outside, I judged that
it was just about to be shut. We were none too soon: the bars behind us
clanged into their places. I much wished that R. was not henceforth cut
off from all communication with me, and left outside the city entirely by
herself: there were the two guns and revolver; after all, the house was
no more likely to be molested on this night than on any other.

[Illustration: THE FEDDAN, TETUAN.

[_To face p. 208._]

The narrow streets were nearly pitch dark; shadowy figures passed us at
first; and Tahara drew her haik all over her face, leaving only a slit
for the eyes, and put on her slippers once more. Occasionally a little
shop had its hard-working inmate, sewing at slippers by the light of an
oil lamp; but for the most part all was black darkness. How long the
intricate streets seemed! We stumbled on the rough cobbles and slid into
the muddy gutter. Tahara's slippers again impeded her, and off they came.
I wished devoutly I knew where Miss Z---- was, and could make straight
for her, probably hurrying at that moment for Jinan Dolero, somewhere in
the maze of streets and houses. We crossed the great open feddan, all
deserted, and I strained my eyes for a glimpse of her tall figure beside
that of S`lam's--in vain.

Late as it was, children were about; they collected gradually behind us
and followed us, nor was it easy at that time of night to drive them off.
Tahara, though still struggling on, was leaning heavily on my arm. The
sooner we get to the Mission House the better.

Two more narrow lanes, a last winding alley, and the welcome door of the
tabiba's--never more welcome.

I called to Miss Z---- as I led Tahara into the courtyard. Her answering
voice was all I would have prayed for at that moment. She was just
starting with S`lam. Leading Tahara to the door, we found him on the
threshold, with his old mother, whom he must have gone first to
fetch--Maman, whom R. and I had ever distrusted: feeling that she was
after no good the first time she came to the house, we had limited her
visits.

I told S`lam to stay outside. He did not seem astonished at seeing his
wife and myself, asking not a single question of either. Miss Z---- took
Tahara upstairs into her bedroom, and I followed, explaining that Tahara
did not want any one else t