562 THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



THE TALIv MINARKT OF THE MOSOUE IN AN OASIS TOWN 



arrangements had been made to ship the 

 pahiis by a steamer that was due to sail 

 from Sfax within a few days. In this 

 emergency I consulted the Caid of Tozer, 

 the principal native official of the Jerid. 

 He took prompt and decisive action, at 

 once despatching a spahi with imperative 

 orders to the refractory camel drivers to 

 proceed without delay. 



When I reached El Hamma early the 

 following morning, I learned that this 

 emissary had tried first persuasion, then 

 threats, and at length had resorted to 

 blows. A sound drubbing convinced the 

 recalcitrants that the weather was not 

 sufficiently inclement to prevent travel- 

 ing, and at midnight they departed. I 

 soon overtook them and found them 



