62 
THE CHAOUCH AND THE MARABOUT. 
tween our chaouch and the mai'about. The latter 
had caught a waran, or large species of lizard, and 
skinned it to dispose of the skin. The chaouch im- 
pudently swore he had been eating the flesh of the 
reptile — a direful accusation. A tremendous war of 
words ensued ; and not of words only, for presently 
the holy man came in for a gratification of ropes' 
end. All the Fezzanees rushed forward to save the 
honour of the marabout ; and the chaouch retreated 
to my tent in search of arms. A stupid joke was 
on the point of leading to murder. I interfered, 
and succeeded in appeasing the storm in some de- 
gree. I then rated the chaouch soundly for beating 
a man invested with a sacred character in the eyes 
of all Musulmans. This produced a good effect, 
and the culprit, hanging his head, seemed ashamed 
of the part he had played. Subsequently he kissed 
the hand of the holy man, and they were reconciled. 
