208 THE SHEIK BRIBED. cii. ix. 



The greater part of the following day, May 14, was 

 devoted to putting our large collections into order ; but 

 meanwhile negotiations for carrying out our plan of sleep- 

 ing at Arround were the most pressing business, and at 

 length, after endless palavers, and discussing countless 

 difficulties, were brought to the desired conclusion. Almost 

 alone among the men in authority, whom we met in 

 Marocco, the sheik of this valley seemed to have no 

 special aversion to us as strangers and Christians. For 

 very sufficient reasons he was longiag for the moment that 

 should see us and our escort depart from his district ; but 

 meanwhile he seemed anxious to keep on friendly terms, 

 and do what he could to meet our wishes. We had 

 already made him several presents ; but here, as elsewhere 

 in the country, we found that most of the articles we had 

 provided for that purpose were little appreciated. Opera 

 glasses, musical boxes, and even watches are of small 

 account, unless with the comparatively civilised men who 

 have lived in the coast towns or the great cities : cutlery 

 is much more sought after, and some large sheath knives, 

 of which we had a fair supply, were always highly 

 acceptable ; but fire-arms, not necessarily of modern make, 

 are far more welcome than any other gifts. On this 

 occasion we resorted to a strange engine of seduction. 

 Before leaving London, Ball had happened to pick up, in 

 an old curiosity shop, an antiquated weapon, of the size of 

 a large horse pistol, with four barrels intended to be loaded 

 and discharged all together. This, which we had called the 

 'young mitrailleuse,' had been the subject of many jokes 

 during the journey, but was now with due solemnity pre- 

 sented to the sheik. The effect of our munificence was 

 immediate and satisfactory, and the sheik was gained over 

 to our cause. Fortunately, the efficiency of the ' young 

 mitrailleuse ' was not tested while we were in the country. 

 It may probably have been since employed with deadly 

 effect ; but it is doubtful whether the victim would be the 



