CH. VI. DIPLOMATIC CONTEST. 135 



closed by a flap rising about a foot from the ground, were 

 shown in a striking way. In the great tent, where the 

 ground underfoot was pierced with scorpion holes and 

 swarming with insects. Hooker and Maw did not venture 

 to undress, and had to pass the night perched upon the 

 baggage, while Ball was able to spread his mattress 

 regardless of the creatures that might be moving about 

 under the canvas floor. When his tent was struck next 

 morning the ground underneath was absolutely covered 

 with a continuous mass of creeping things, yet not a single 

 insect entered the tent. 



When we all rose betimes on the morning of the 4th, 

 we felt that this must be a decisive day in our contest 

 with the INIoorish authorities. At an early hour Hooker 

 despatched two messengers, one to the Viceroy, request- 

 ing an interview, the other to Mr. Hunot, begging him 

 to use his local knowledge and influence to make sure 

 that the request should reach the Viceroy. Soon after 

 arrived a message from Ben Daoud, saying that we were at 

 liberty to pitch our tents in an adjoining garden. If that 

 offer had been made on our first arrival, it is most likely 

 that it would have been accepted ; but, as it was now clear 

 that Ben Daoud was intent on yielding as little as possible. 

 Hooker wisely resolved to insist on the demand which 

 he had made on the previous evening, and returned an 

 answer in nearly the same terms as before. 



At 8 A.M. a morning meal of wheaten cakes and milk 

 came from El Graoui, and throughout that and the fol- 

 lowing days he continued to supply our wants and those 

 of our followers on the most liberal scale. Besides a 

 light breakfast, three copious meals with meat and vege- 

 tables cooked in the most approved style, accompanied 

 by dates and oranges, were regularly furnished ; and the 

 addition of a mule-load of oranges that came later in the 

 day furnished in abimdance the most acceptable luxury 

 that nature affords in this region. 



It was clear that the question debated among the 



