196 
MUSULMAN CHARITY. 
ling Moors, who were so much annoyed by my cough, for 
I had a severe cold, that in great anger they even struck 
me, to compel me to withdraw. 
At five in the morning, I perceived by the arrangements 
which were making, that we should not set out before evening, 
and determined, though with repugnance, to beg in the town 
for some dates, a fruit so plentiful in this country. I first ap- 
plied to an old Moor, who affected all the externals of devo- 
tion, but he shewed little sensibility for my misery, recom- 
mending me to trust in God who would assist me ; a second 
brought me a handful of rotten dates, which I could not eat ; 
and a third, whose mien announced more charity, gave me a 
considerable quantity, but they were harder and worse than 
those which I had eaten at el-Harib. Losing my fortitude, 
and undeceived on the subject of Musulman charity, so much 
vaunted among us, I returned to our baggage, and, presenting 
my acquisition of fruit to the asses which refused it, I break- 
fasted upon a handful of that which had been given me 
at Boheim. Part of the day was spent in shoeing the animals. 
About three p.\i, being all ready, we took our depar- 
ture, and travelled N. W., over level and stony ground; 
the sun was setting as we reached Rahaba, where we en- 
camped under the palm-trees, without the town. As I hap- 
pened to be placed near the sherif Sidi-Moula-Sitec, who 
had shewn me, on the road, the unexampled courtesy of 
giving me a draught from the cup which he himself in general 
used, I went to thank him ; he gave me a friendly reception^ 
and, offering me his hand with a smile, told me that he had 
directed one of his suite to supply me with provisions all the 
way to Fez, and, to leave me under no uneasiness on this 
head, he renewed his order in my presence ; but the profli- 
gate servant took little notice, and obeyed his master's com- 
mand for one night only. 
On the 6th of August, at five in the morning, we con- 
tinued our route northward, at first on very level ground; 
