result
of an endeavour to transfer to black and white the animated tones and
gestures of the narrator, which the imagination of the reader must
supply.

[Illustration: _Photograph by A. Lennox, Esq._

GROUP AROUND PERFORMERS, MARRAKESH.]

The initial "voluntary" by the "orchestra" has ended; every eye is
directed towards the central figure, this time arrayed in ample
turban, white jellab and yellow slippers, with a face betokening
a lucrative profession. After a moment's silence he commences the
history of--

"MULAI ABD EL KADER AND THE MONK OF MONKS."

"The thrones of the Nazarenes were once in number sixty, but the star
of the Prophet of God--the prayer of God be on him, and peace--was in
the ascendant, and the religion of Resignation [Islam] was everywhere
victorious. Many of the occupiers of those thrones had either
submitted to the Lieutenant ['Caliph'] of our Lord, and become
Muslimeen, or had been vanquished by force of arms. The others were
terrified, and a general assembly was convoked to see what was to be
done. As the rulers saw they were helpless against the decree of
God, they called for their monks to advise them. The result of the
conference was that it was decided to invite the Resigned Ones
(Muslimeen) to a discussion on their religious differences, on the
understanding that whichever was victorious should be thenceforth
supreme.

"The Leader of the Faithful having summoned his wise men, their
opinion was asked. 'O victorious of God,' they with one voice replied,
'since God, the High and Blessed, is our King, what have we to fear?
Having on our side the truth revealed in the "Book to be Read" [the
Koran] by the hand of the Messenger of God--the prayer of God be on
him, and peace--we _must_ prevail. Let us willingly accept their
proposal.' An early day was accordingly fixed for the decisive
contest, and each party marshalled its forces. At the appointed time
they met, a great crowd on either side, and it was asked which should
begin. Knowing that victory was on his side, the Lieutenant of the
Prophet--the prayer of God be on him, and peace--replied, 'Since ye
have desired this meeting, open ye the discussion.'

"Then the chief of the Nazarene kings made answer, 'But we are here so
many gathered together, that if we commence to dispute all round we
shall not finish by the Judgement Day. Let each party therefore choose
its wisest man, and let the two debate before us, the remainder
judging the