12 
The whole operation did not last half a minute, though 
it was executed in a very clumsy manner. The noise 
made by the children and the music prevented me from 
hearing the cries of the victims, though I was close to 
them. However, their gestures proved sufficiently what 
they suffered* Every child was afterwards put on the 
back of a woman, who took him home, covered with 
her hhaik or bournous; and followed by the same train 
with which he had arrived. 
I saw with the Neophytes from the country a great 
number of soldiers and Bedouins, who surprised me 
very much by their manoeuvres with their long guns. 
These they fired off between the legs of each other; and 
this perilous sport was considered as a demonstration 
of friendship. 
I have heard it said that some Christains have visited 
Mahometan countries, and travelled there with safety, 
by merely assuming their dress. But I look upon the 
safety of their journey as almost impossible, unless they 
have previously submitted to the rite I have been des- 
cribing; because this is the first point inquired into 
when they see any strangers. Hence on my arrival at 
Tangiers my servants were frequently questioned about 
it, and sometimes myself. 
The city of Tangier, viewed from the sea- side, pre- 
sents a pretty regular aspect. Its amphitheatrical situa- 
tion, its whitened houses; those of the consuls, which 
are regularly built; the walls surrounding the town; the 
alcassaba, or the castle, built on a hill; and the bay, 
which is sufficiently spacious, and surrounded by hills, 
compose an interesting view; but as soon as we ap- 
proach the inside of the town the illusion ceases, and 
we find ourselves surrounded with every thing that 
characterizes the most disgusting wretchedness. 
