ause I was told that the agent had had
no right to hold or sell me, since he had English protection. Thou
knowest what has happened since. Here I am, at thy feet, imploring
assistance. I beseech thee, turn me not away. I speak truth before
God."

No one could hear such a tale unmoved, and after due inquiry the
Englishman thus appealed to secured her liberty on depositing at the
British Consulate the $140 paid for her by her owner, who claimed her
or the money. Rabhah's story, taken down by independent persons at
different times, was afterwards told by her without variation in a
British Court of Law. Subsequently a pronouncement as to her freedom
having been made by the British Legation at Tangier, the $140 was
refunded, and she lives free to-day. The last time the writer saw her,
in the service of a European in Morocco, he was somewhat taken aback
to find her arms about his neck, and to have kisses showered on his
shoulders for the unimportant part that he had played in securing her
freedom.

XXIII

THE PILGRIM CAMP

"Work for the children is better than pilgrimage or holy war."

_Moorish Proverb._

Year by year the month succeeding the fast of Ramadan sees a motley
assemblage of pilgrims bound for Mekka, gathered at most of the North
African ports from all parts of Barbary and even beyond, awaiting
vessels bound for Alexandria or Jedda. This comparatively easy means
of covering the distance, which includes the whole length of the
Mediterranean when the pilgrims from Morocco are concerned--not
to mention some two-thirds of the Red Sea,--has almost entirely
superseded the original method of travelling all the way by land, in
the once imposing caravans.

These historic institutions owed their importance no less to the
facilities they offered for trade, than to the opportunity they
afforded for accomplishing the pilgrimage which is enjoined on every
follower of Mohammed. Although caravans still cross the deserts of
North Africa in considerable force from west to east, as well as from
south to north, to carry on the trade of the countries to the south
of the Barbary States, the former are steadily dwindling down to mere
local affairs, and the number of travellers who select the modern
route by steamer is yearly increasing, as its advantages become better
known. For the accommodation of the large number of passengers special
vessels are chartered by speculators, and are fitted up for the
occasion. Only