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large standards, uniformly painted, some red, others 
green, yellow or white. This row of flags served a$ 
the signal for the troops to march* to halt, or to change 
front; but all these manoeuvres were executed without 
order, and rather in a tumultuary manner. Four or 
six hoarse drums with some miserable bagpipes mar- 
ched near the colours; they did not begin to play until 
the sultan had retired* 
I called the same day on Muley Abdsulem and asked 
his advice about the means of being presented to the 
sultan. He promised me that he would take the neces- 
sary steps for the purpose* and in fact he went imme- 
diately to the palace, On his return he told me that it 
was the sultan's intention to receive me every Friday, 
and that if he did not see me every day, it was that 
he might not derange my occupations and deprive me of 
my liberty; and that he would order one of his learned 
favourites to accompany me to the palace. 
The next day while I had a company of twenty per- 
sons at my house, I was apprized of a message from 
the sultan; I ordered the messenger to come in. He 
was the first astronomer and astrologer of the court, 
who presented himself to me with the greatest respect, 
and placing in my hands a magnificent hhaik, as the sul- 
tan's gift, he informed me that he, Sidi Ginnan, had the 
honour of being chosen by the sultan to accompany 
me every Friday to the palace. 
I kissed the Hhaik, and after having put it, according 
to custom, on my head, I laid it on my cushion, and 
was complimented by the company upon this occasion* 
After having taken some tea, and spent about half an 
hour in conversation, Sidi Ginnan expressed a wish to 
speak to me in private. I took him and his secretary 
or clerk, whom he had brought along with him, into 
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