I could not resist a feeling of affright as I thought how absolutely alone I was amongst these fierce and most inveterate enemies of the French. To God I yielded up my life—a sacrifice not accomplished, however, without some regret; but, since that period, no distrust of this kind troubled me during my journey. It was easy to see, by the brusque tone and imperious looks of the most fanatic of the troop, that I was delivered up to their good pleasure; nevertheless did I sustain my character, and, by my confidence, imposed respect. The relations and friends of the prisoners soon arrived, and I witnessed their first embraces after so long a separation. This touching scene recalled to my mind that there were still in the fetters of the Sultan many of my countrymen sighing for the like felicity. The relations of my Arabs had brought for them horses and mules, with some provisions. I accepted some dates, which I ate upon the route. The joyful caravan now sung a national air, a song of deliverance: it was in couplets of dialogue, according to the style of the country.

"The late prisoners soon, however, quitted us, to take the roads leading to their tribes; yet not one departed without offering me his thanks and adieus.

"Left alone with an imposing escort, I arrived about sunset near the Caïd of the Hadjoutes. The tents of this tribe were erected upon the borders of a lake, not far from the Tombeau de la Chrétienne.

"The above powerful chief, brother-in-law of the Khalif, is, like most of those who direct the Holy War, a man of about thirty or forty years of age. He awaited my arrival, and gave me a distinguished reception, such as I did not always receive during the remainder of my journey. By his orders, a handsome tent had been prepared for me, with a superb carpet; and a guard of honour watched at my door, his own domestics hastening at the same time to serve I passed the night tranquilly beneath this hospitable pavilion, in spite of the noisy chatterings of my escort, which more than once disturbed my sleep.

me.

"Early in the morning, I was upon foot, in order to visit the monument of which I have spoken above, and which tradition has designated by the name of 'The tomb of the Christian woman.' It is situated nigh the borders of the sea, upon a little height, the continuation of that broken district called the Sahel, extending from the Maison-Carrée, near Algiers, to the mountain of Chénouan, some leagues from Cher

chell. Its form is pyramidical: the soil, covering a great portion of its base, would not permit me to take its admeasurement. Upon its sides may be remarked places once coated with marble, which has now disappeared, and upon which there were, doubtless, in former times, some basreliefs or inscriptions. The Tomb of the Christian Woman' is visible from far out at sea, as well as from all points of the plain of the Metidja, and also from the southern face of the Atlas. I consulted, upon the origin of this monument, with the Hadjoutes, who for many ages have inhabited this district, and amongst whom oral tradition is so faithfully preserved, their historical records being inscribed upon memory alone. They unanimously averred,

that this spot, celebrated throughout the country for the prodigies which had there taken place, is held in great veneration by the Arabs. Singular and fearful evils have, say they, fallen upon the heads of those who have attempted to violate or destroy this tomb. Indeed, they assured me, upon the testimony of their ancestors, that she who reposes there was a Christian, and that the Catholics, formerly inhabitants of or pilgrims to this country, pronounced this spot holy There is reason to suppose that this monument may date from that epoch spoken of by Ter

tullian, when the Faithful were spread over the whole surface of the Roman Empire.

"The Caïd of the Hadjoutes gave me a guide, and I departed for the camp of the Khalif, which lay beyond the first chain of the Atlas, near the Chélif. Hardly had I proceeded a league and a half, when some Arab cavaliers endeavoured to prevail upon me to retrace my steps, saying that I should not be able to reach the Khalif, much less Abd-el-Kader, both one and the other being too much occupied in striving against the advance of our columns to receive me moreover, they said it was neither agreeable to them, nor safe for me to be allowed to explore their country at a time when two French armies were invading it at the same moment.

"For an instant, I feared that I should not be able to proceed farther. But the thought that fifty-six unhappy prisoners awaited from me their liberty, enduring perhaps unheard-of sufferings, which my mission was destined to terminate; this thought, I say, rendered me insensible to every other consideration. I declared that having letters from my bishop for the Khalif, I could not do otherwise than deliver them myself into his hands; that I wished to see this chief; and that nothing should prevent me from continuing my journey. I consented

only to send my interpreter to the Caïd of the Hadjoutes to ask his approval of my resolution, and, awaiting his return, I sat me down near two isolated tents. The Arabs there came out to hold conversation with me. I distributed medicines amongst some sick women and children; and they brought me, as a token of gratitude, a fine dish of cous-coussou, the best, indeed, that I ate during the course of my journey. A little boy from a neighbouring tribe, who had witnessed my healing operations, ran off to bear the news to his people, and you will see the result.

"After three hours of expectation and anxiety, my interpreter again appeared, and brought a favorable reply. Joyously I remounted my horse, and we now entered the gorges of the Atlas. In a short time, arriving at the tribe of the young Arab of whom I have just spoken, I found that he had aroused them all with his news, and forth they came en masse to meet us. The women presented their little sick children to me; the infirm had caused themselves to be brought out upon the route; others had dragged themselves thither as they could, and all cried aloud of me to cure them. But my guide urged me not to lose time, for we have,' said he, far to go this day; any delay is imprudent.' I was only able to

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