FRENCH CONSULAR AGENT. 
215 
presented to the French consul at Rabat. Gracious God ! 
how was I disconcerted, when I found that he was himself a 
Jew ! I was so thunderstruck that 1 remained for a moment 
speechless; meanwhile he addressed me in pretty good 
French, inquiring what I wanted with him : recovering a 
little from my stupefying surprise, I shewed him my shil- 
lings and begged him to change them ; an English merchant 
who chanced to be with him, and to whom I confided my 
secret, assured me that I might safely communicate to the 
Jew the true cause of my application to him. I then told 
the consular agent that I wished to converse with him for a 
moment in private, upon which he shewed me into his ware- 
house and seated me upon the floor. There I informed him 
that I was a Frenchman, that I came from the Soudan, and 
that, desiring to return to my own country, I claimed the 
protection due to a subject of the King of France. The Jew 
asked if I had any papers, and if I was travelling by order 
of the government : having satisfied him on all these points, 
he opened a French book of geography, and pointed out 
upon a map the Senegal and other districts, no doubt to 
display his learning: he then shewed a letter from M. Sour- 
deau, consul-general of the King of France, announcing 
his nomination to the dignity of consular agent at Rabat ; 
but he gave me to understand that he received no pay, and 
that in consequence I was not to expect much assistance 
from him ; then dismissing me, he recommended me 
strongly not to make myself known if 1 valued my head 3 
for, added he^ the Moors are no triflers on the subject of 
religion. 
I then returned to the fandac, leaving with the consu- 
lar agent ten shillings, which he refused to change 3 he gave 
me however on account, three dragmes (twenty four sous) for 
the supply of my most urgent wants during the following 
days. I made my guide purchase a piece of roasted mutton 
and two small loaves, which I divided with him ; resolving 
