himself,
and to the wise ones of both creeds who surrounded them!

"Indeed it was too true, and he had to acknowledge that the events of
a life-time had been crowded into a period undefinably minute, by the
God-sent power of my lord Slave-of-the-Able [Mulai Abd el Kader].

"Now, where is the good man and true who reveres the name of this holy
one? Who will say a prayer to Mulai Abd el Kader?" Here the narrator
extends his palms as before, and all follow him in the motion of
drawing them down his face. "In the name of the Pitying and Pitiful!
Now another!" The performance is repeated.

"Who is willing to yield himself wholly and entirely to Mulai Abd el
Kader? Who will dedicate himself from the soles of his feet to
the crown of his head? Another prayer!" Another repetition of the
performance.

"Now let those devoted men earn the effectual prayers of that holy one
by offering their silver in his name. Nothing less than a peseta[15]
will do. That's right," as one of the bystanders throws down the coin
specified.

[15: About eightpence, a labourer's daily wage in Tangier.]

"Now let us implore the blessing of God and Mulai Abd el Kader on the
head of this liberal Believer." The palm performance is once more gone
through. The earnestness with which he does it this time induces more
to follow suit, and blessings on them also are besought in the same
fashion.

"Now, my friends, which among you will do business with the palms of
all these faithful ones? Pay a peseta and buy the prayers of them all.
Now then, deal them out, and purchase happiness."

So the appeal goes wearisomely on. As no more pesetas are seen to
be forthcoming, a shift is made with reals--nominally 2-1/2_d._
pieces--the story-teller asking those who cannot afford more to make
up first one dollar and then another, turning naively to his assistant
to ask if they haven't obtained enough yet, as though it were all for
them. As they reply that more is needed, he redoubles his appeals and
prayers, threading his way in and out among the crowd, making direct
for each well-dressed individual with a confidence which renders
flight or refusal a shame. Meanwhile the "orchestra" has struck up,
and only pauses when the "professor" returns to the centre of the
circle to call on all present to unite in prayers for the givers.
A few coppers which have been tossed to his feet are distributed
scornfully amongst half a dozen beggars, in various stages of filthy
wretc