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SIX WEEKS' CAMPAIGN

IN THE

KABYLIE OF ALGERIA.

27

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CHAPTER I.

THE KABYLIE. -SOCIAL CHARACTER OF THE KABAÏLES. —

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It may not, perhaps, be generally known that all the mountaineers of Algeria come under the appellation" Kabaïles," or " Djebalis," names derived from the words "Kabaïl" (a tribe), and "Djebel" (a mountain); but the portion of the country called, par excellence, the “Kabylie" by the French is usually considered as confined to that wild mountainous district, forming a stern barrier between the provinces of Algiers and Constantine, and being, in fact, a ramification of the chain of the Little Atlas, which, after running parallel with the seacoast throughout Algeria, inclines (about 30

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leagues south-east of the city of Algiers) S. S. East, throwing out at the same point a series of exceedingly lofty mountains, the most elevated of which is the vast ridge of the "Djurjura" (the "Mons Ferratus" of the ancients), which gives its name to the greatest part of the mountainous district above referred to. The northern extremity of this almost inaccessible region, laved by the waters of the Mediterranean, may be said to present a sea-face extending 60 or 70 leagues, computing its commencement on the Algiers side to be at about 17 leagues to the East of that port; its depth, extending inland, varying from 20 to 40 leagues, and in breadth being considered to extend from the eastern limit of the great plain of the Metidja to the port of Philippeville. But the exact limits of the "Kabylie" being but very uncertainly defined, this must be regarded as a mere rough statement of its extent. Almost the whole of this vast territory has as yet preserved its independence; though some of the most exposed tribes have yielded submission, or a nominal submission, to the French, who, after many a severe struggle with the natives, have succeeded in establishing military posts at Dellys, Bougie, and Jigelli, along the coast. The population of the Kabylie is considerable, it being calculated that there are not less than

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