CH. XII. MEETING WITH MR, CARSTENSEN. 311 



always exist between the people of neighbouring provinces, 

 usually inhabited by tribes of different race and origin, it 

 may be doubted whether the troubles and losses of their 

 neighbours are in iMarocco viewed as matters of deep 

 concern ; or whether, as sometimes happens among the 

 statesmen of more important countries, the mediator may 

 not feel some secret satisfaction at the failure of his own 

 proposals. 



Shortly before 10 A.M. we started for an easy ride of 

 three hours over the undulating country that lies between 

 Mskala and the kasbah of Shedma, where we were to meet 

 Mr. Carstensen. It was an agreeable change from the 

 bare hills, with which we had of late been familiar, to enter 

 on a comparatively well-wooded country. The Argan trees 

 were nowhere so near together as to form what could be 

 called a forest, but scattered in small clumps or single 

 trees over the surface, so that nothing but a carpet of 

 green turf was wanting to complete the resemblance to an 

 English park. On reaching the kasbah, we found that 

 our arrival was already expected. Our former host, the 

 Governor's corpulent son, had two rooms within the castle 

 walls prepared for our reception, and before one o'clock 

 we were installed in clean quarters, with iron bedsteads of 

 European make, and cushions covered with Eabat carpets 

 to complete the furniture. Soon after two o'clock notice 

 of Mr. Carstensen's approach reached the castle ; the 

 Governor's son, with several armed men, went forth to 

 meet him, and before long we had the pleasure of again 

 greeting a gentleman to whose activity and thoughtful 

 care we felt so much indebted. 



Much of the afternoon was naturally employed in 

 giving an account of our doings. When we reached the 

 close of the story, and Hooker spoke of his morning's 

 interview with the aged Governor, in whose stronghold we 

 were lodged, and the favourable impression made by his 

 appearance and demeanour, the reply was somewhat 

 startling even to men who had learned something of the 



