206 
two in the afternoon, and entered Oushda at a quarter 
past four. 
We saw no change in the ground since yesterday. 
At eight in the morning good vegetable earth appeared, 
but very little cultivated. The two chains of high 
mountains, which I mentioned yesterday, confined still 
the horizon to the north and south at a great distance. 
At half past seven in the morning I discovered far off, 
on an elevation close to the high- way, two men on horse- 
back, who were armed, and who approached us steadily. 
My people became uneasy, but I tranquillized them; 
and when we came close we heard that they were cen- 
tries on horseback of the enemy's tribe who had killed 
the man that we had seen buried at Aayon Meyluk, and 
that behind them the troops of the tribe were assembled. 
We met afterwards some men who were mowing the 
corn; and every one of them had his horse saddled and 
bridled at his side. Further on an armed troop was to 
be seen. 
At ten we arrived in the country Avhich was inhabit- 
ed by these tribes. It was about two miles in diame- 
ter, well ploughed, and contained about twenty douars. 
Four men in arms and on horseback came to reconnoi- 
tre us. They asked a prayer, and then took a polite 
leave. This tribe, called Mahaia, seemed to be com- 
posed of warlike men; and I think the sultan of Mo- 
rocco's authority to be very precarious over them. 
