CH. xii, AN ABSENT HOST. 303 



map, usually correct as regards the accessible parts of the 

 country, represents things quite otherwise ; according to 

 him all the drainage of this district is carried NNW. by a 

 stream which passes east of the Djebel Hadld, and reaches 

 the sea between Mogador and the mouth of the Oued 

 Tensift ; while the Oued Kseb, or Oued el Ghored of 

 Beaudouin, has a course of only some twenty miles, and 

 drains but a small tract of country near the coast. In 

 most countries such a question would admit of no doubt ; 

 but, between absorption by irrigation and loss by evapor- 

 ation, the streams in South Marocco dwindle away on 

 their course so fast, that only at certain seasons it is pos- 

 sible to trace their course. As now advised, we believe 

 that many considerable streams unite in the Oued Kseb, 

 although this, at its mouth, is a mere trickling rivulet, 

 unable to keep a definite course through the Mogador 

 sands to the sea ; while the stream laid down east of the 

 Djebel Hadid has not, so far as we could ascertain, any 

 real existence. 



A large flowered form of Nigella arvensls, with a few 

 other plants which we had not seen since we approached 

 the mountains, indicated a change in the soil, now much 

 less barren as we descended the north-west slope of the hills; 

 and as twilight had set in we reached the kasbah of the 

 Governor of Mtouga, a large pile surrounded by lofty stone 

 walls. The soldiers, who had ridden forward to announce 

 our approach, found for some time no response to their 

 summons at the gate ; and it was after some delay that 

 two or three slaves presented themselves, and we then 

 learned that the Governor and all his men had gone forth 

 to fight against their enemies from Haha. No orders had 

 been given for our entertainment ; but we were told that 

 within the enclosure of the kasbah there were rooms 

 which were at our disposal. Our brave escort at once 

 grasped at the prospect of shelter and safety within the 

 walls, and were urgent that we should at once decide on 

 accepting the offer. On. inspecting the room to which he 



