encounter any of the bands of the Tolba away from their country. Taking nearly the same road by which I had gone, and always conducted by an anéia, I arrived without misfortune amongst the Issers, then passing through the country of the Khachna to Blidah, I once more arrived amongst the Abides, where my parents and my friends rejoiced greatly at my return. Seated beneath my tent, it was told unto me that thou hadst sent a cavalier to seek me. One day only did I rest from the fatigues of my journey, and now am I come before thee to hear thy will, and to do that which thou commandest me to do."

CHAP. XVIII.

THE ADVENTURES OF M. SUCHET, VICAIRE-GÉNÉRAL OF ALGIERS, IN SEARCH OF THE CAMP OF ABD-EL-KADER, IN ORDER TO TREAT WITH HIM UPON AN EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

*

"MANY of our countrymen were still in captivity at Tlemsen, the capital of Abd-el-Kader's dominions; but the number of these unfortunate prisoners was not known to us. The 6th of June, however, we were enabled to learn this; for, by despatches from the expeditionary column commanded by the Governor-General, the taking of Mascara was announced, and the names of fifty-six Frenchmen published as having been found inscribed upon the walls of a fort in that town. At the head of this list, cut by the prisoners themselves, was a cross, beneath which were the following words:-'Nous ne savons où nous allons . . . . à la garde de Dieu!' Alas! could our hearts be otherwise than torn by this touching information? Then did I say to Monseigneur (the Bishop of Algiers), 'If you will send me in search of these poor captives, I

*From the French.

will not return without them, even if I am compelled to go as far as Tlemsen, to demand them of Abd-el-Kader himself.'

"The Khalif had promised to render up all our captive countrymen, upon condition that certain of his subjects detained in the prisons of Algiers should be placed in his hands. Monseigneur had already solicited the governor for the liberation of eight Arabs thus reclaimed, and awaited an immediate reply. Certain gifts, also, ordered to be prepared for the Emir, and destined as a ransom for our brothers, were every day expected from France. We received, upon the same day, both these presents and a favourable response, and from that moment my journey was decided upon. That same evening I carried this good news to one of the chief Arab captives, who then lay sick at the 'Hopital du Dey.' He was the ex-kodja (secretary) of Ben-Salem. Warmly did he press me to his heart, and his good health seemed to return to him immediately. I bore the order for his immediate deliverance, and led him without delay to the bishop's palace, where he passed the night. I had also gone to the garden where the other Arab captives were at work, to inform them that the following day they would be free, and that I was charged to conduct them to their tribes and

families. They could hardly believe this happy intelligence. By daybreak, however, I was amongst them: and now behold me pursuing my way, with my eight Arabs, my interpreter, and two little Moors, who led the mule charged with the gifts for Abd-el-Kader.

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During the first moment of exultation, my Arabs marched onward well enough-joy gave them strength; but soon their legs, enfeebled by long suffering, refused to support them. By turns, I gave up my horse to the most fatigued, until we met with a military convoy going to Blidah. The officer in command of the detachment allowed them to mount the waggons, and thus we arrived at Douéra, where we halted for two hours. At some few paces from the modest little church of St. Antoine, constructed of planks, I made them sit down beneath the shade of a large tree, to repose themselves, and take their repast. These poor Arabs told me that they found it good to sit near the Djema-Roumia (mosque of the Christians).

"An envoy from the Khalif awaited us at Bouffarick. I charged him to bear to the Caïd of the Hadjoutes a letter wherein I announced to him my speedy arrival with eight Arabs, lately prisoners. The following day, this chief sent a guide to conduct me to his warlike and redoubted tribe.

"Before passing the French lines, I was desirous of laying in a small stock of remedies for the maladies most common amongst the indigenous inhabitants; for I knew by experience how great a weight this charitable practice has with the Arabs. Moreover, they are persuaded that all Christian priests are skilled in the art of healing. A young doctor, M. Girard, chief of the military hospital at Bouffarick, hastened to furnish my little medicine-chest, giving me at the same time some instructions as to the proper employment of its contents. All these preparatives achieved, I embraced the good curé of Bouffarick, and a quarter of an hour afterwards was in the power of the Arabs.

"Now was our position changed;-my prisoners were free, and I was at their discretion. I remarked with agreeable surprise, on passing a spot where a former exchange of prisoners had been made, that large stones had been heaped up by the Arabs, to perpetuate the memory of that event. A hundred paces farther on, a strong detachment of Hadjoute cavaliers, lying in ambush amongst the high brushwood, rushed forth, coming on full speed to encounter us, their guns presented, their lances at their backs, and their yatagans suspended from their necks. Although I had before seen similar charges, yet