148 ARRANGEMENTS FOE OUR JOURNEY. ch. vi. 



were, and it was arranged that Hooker should, in the 

 course of the next day or two, acquaint El Graoui with 

 the route which we might adopt. 



The main point heing thus settled, some further con- 

 versation ensued as to the arrangements for our journey. 

 El Graoui informed us that he would send an escort of five 

 soldiers under the command of a Kaid, and further sug- 

 gested that the escort that had already accompanied us 

 from Mogador should remain with us throughout the 

 journey. As it seemed desirable to humour the great 

 man's fancies, the latter arrangement was at once agreed 

 to, and in the sequel we found it decidedly advantageous. 

 The interview was brought to a close by Hooker pre- 

 senting to El Graoui a pair of excellent, though not 

 showy, rifled pistols, which he had brought from England 

 under the impression that they might be useful for per- 

 sonal defence. We had an unnecessarily large store of 

 articles intended for presents — silver watches, musical 

 boxes, opera glasses, cutlery, and the like ; but, on review- 

 ing our stores, Mr. Hunot decided that such objects would 

 be thought too paltry for a man of El Graoui's importance, 

 and that serviceable fire-arms would be far better suited 

 to his taste, 



