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| committer | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2025-11-03 08:08:19 -0800 |
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+} +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77174 ***</div> +<div class="margins"> +<div class="page"> +<p class="center large">LIFE OF ABDEL KADER.</p> +</div> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<div class="figcenterplate iw1"> +<figure id="fronti"><img src='images/fronti.jpg' alt=''> +</figure> +</div> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h1><span class="med">THE</span><br> +<span class="xxlarge">LIFE OF ABDEL KADER,</span><br> +<span class="gothic">Ex-Sultan of the Arabs of Algeria;</span> +</h1> + +<p class="center med spaced15">WRITTEN FROM HIS OWN DICTATION, AND +COMPILED<br> +FROM OTHER AUTHENTIC SOURCES.</p> + +<p class="center space-above2 spaced15"><span class= +"vsmall">BY</span><br class=""> +COLONEL CHURCHILL,<br> +<span class="vsmall">AUTHOR OF “TEN YEARS’ RESIDENCE IN MOUNT +LEBANON,” “DRUZES AND<br> +MARONITES UNDER TURKISH RULE,” ETC., ETC.</span></p> + +<p class="publisher">LONDON:<br> +CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY.<br> +1867.</p> +</div> + +<div class="page"> +<p class="center vsmall spaced15 space-above">LONDON:<br> +VIRTUE AND CO., PRINTERS,<br> +CITY ROAD.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2 class="large"><span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_v">[v]</span>DEDICATION.</h2> + +<div class="figcenter iwdecor"> +<figure><img src='images/decor1.png' alt='[Decoration]'> +</figure> +</div> + +<p class="center spaced2 space-above15"><span class= +"med">TO</span><br> +<span class="xlarge"><span class="letter-spaced01">NAPOLEON +II</span>I.,</span><br> +<span class="small">EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH.</span> +</p> + +<p class="space-above15">SIRE,</p> + +<p class="ind4"><span class="sc">Others</span> may claim for +themselves the glorious privilege of recording the courage, the +sagacity, and the skill with which you wield the destinies of +Imperial France.</p> + +<p>I have claimed, and am proud to have procured at your hands, the +humbler but scarcely less glorious privilege of dedicating to you a +work which, while it celebrates the great actions, and portrays the +magnanimous character of one of the most remarkable men whom the +Arab race has ever produced, records at the same time, though +feebly and inadequately, the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_vi">[vi]</span> loftiness of principle, the chivalry of +sentiment, and the sensitive jealousy of French honour which +induced you to release him, spontaneously and unconditionally, from +treacherous detention on French soil.</p> + +<p>That act was a worthy inauguration of your splendid reign. That +act alone would suffice to give it imperishable lustre.</p> + +<p class="right pad-right2">CHARLES HENRY CHURCHILL.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2 class="large"><span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_vii">[vii]</span>PREFACE.</h2> + +<div class="figcenter iwdecor"> +<figure><img src='images/decor1.png' alt='[Decoration]'> +</figure> +</div> + +<p class="nind space-above15"><span class="sc">If</span> I should +unfortunately be mistaken in the belief and expectation that some +interest may yet be excited in the public mind by a narrative of +the deeds and exploits of the illustrious Arab whose extraordinary +career I have selected as my theme, I shall willingly impute my +disappointment, not to any want of judgment and discrimination on +the part of the reading public, but to my own involuntary and +sincere enthusiasm for all that is grand, ennobling, and +romantic.</p> + +<p>That these characteristics attach largely, and in their most +inspiring and soul-stirring sense, to the life I here depict, the +following pages amply corroborate.</p> + +<p>Having thus exhibited the feeling which induced me to approach a +subject, to me fraught with peculiar and almost irresistible +attractions, I proceed to state the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_viii">[viii]</span> circumstances under which my present work +was commenced and matured.</p> + +<p>I was at Constantinople in the month of September, 1853. Abdel +Kader was living, an exile, at Broussa. To have been within such an +easy distance of one who had for so many years been invested in my +mind with all the attributes of heroic greatness, without +gratifying myself with a sight of his person, would have been doing +treason to my warmest and most deeply cherished feelings.</p> + +<p>I went accordingly and saw him. The acquaintance thus formed has +been, through a course of wholly unexpected events, gradually +cemented into permanent and unalterable friendship. In 1855 he came +to Syria, his place of exile having been changed from Broussa to +Damascus. On his way to the latter, from Beyrout, he passed a short +time with me in the Lebanon.</p> + +<p>Our long conversations turned almost exclusively on his +proceedings in Algeria—his campaigns, his mode of administration, +his plans of reform, and his principles of government. He +expatiated on all these topics not only without reserve, but with +exuberance. The stirring recital, delivered at times in a tone +of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[ix]</span> martial energy and +enthusiasm, at others with an air of melancholy which touchingly +told of glowing hopes cruelly frustrated, of lofty and patriotic +inspirations rudely crushed, was more than simply interesting and +exciting. It had the grandeur and sublimity of a tragic epos.</p> + +<p>What, I thought to myself, shall all this wealth of incident, +these marvels of adventure, these varieties of good, and great, and +glorious deeds be suffered to become “alms for oblivion,”<a id= +"FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> +without even a feeble attempt at rescue? Shall no one ever have an +opportunity afforded him of being urged to greater self-discipline, +to the attainment of more mental hardihood, to the practice of more +severe abnegation, by having placed before him the record of a life +marked and distinguished by such absorbing devotion to a sense of +duty, such fixity and concentration of purpose, such unflinching +and indomitable perseverance?</p> + +<p>Filled with these reflections, I one morning asked Abdel Kader +if he had never kept any written memorial<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_x">[x]</span> of the transactions in which he had been +engaged. He smiled, and said, “I was far too much and constantly +occupied for that. I did my duty. That was quite occupation enough +for me.” “But,” I added, “if I were to endeavour to draw up an +account of your various doings, would you assist me?” “With the +greatest pleasure,” was his reply; “I will gladly answer any +questions you may wish to put me.” That day I resolved to write the +biography of Abdel Kader.</p> + +<p>I resided at Damascus during the winter of 1859-60, expressly +for the purpose of carrying my resolution into effect. Abdel Kader, +though a perfect miser of his time, courteously consented to give +me an audience of one hour every day. The mine was before me. I had +to extract the ore. I laboured at it for five months. Some French +works assisted me in my course of inquiry, such as “Annales +Algériennes,” by M. Pellissier de Reynaud; “Histoire de la Conquête +d’Alger,” by M. Alfred Nottement, and others of less note. At a +later period I also profited by a publication more exclusively +devoted to my subject, entitled “Abdel Kader, sa vie Politique et +Militaire,” by M. Bellemare.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">[xi]</span>Abdel Kader was +most ample in his remarks and commentaries on these authors. He +thus supplied me with many useful rectifications, as well as a vast +amount of valuable and important original information from +himself.</p> + +<p>Little did I contemplate, on leaving Damascus in the spring of +1860, that another chapter was so soon about to be added to his +strange and eventful history; or that his glorious star, apparently +for ever set, was destined shortly to burst forth again with +meteoric splendour. Of his magnanimous and exemplary conduct during +the fearful massacre of the Christians in that city, through the +shameless and heartless complicity of the Turkish authorities, I +obtained the most extensive and correct details from +eye-witnesses.</p> + +<p>Such, then, were my materials. It remained for me to compile and +embody them. I have done so. With all diffidence and humility I +invite my readers to pronounce their verdict on the +performance.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2 class="large"><span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_xiii">[xiii]</span>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<div class="figcenter iwdecor"> +<figure><img src='images/decor2.png' alt='[Decoration]'> +</figure> +</div> + +<table class="toc"> +<tr> +<td> +</td> +<td class="tdr med">PAGE.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter I.—1807-1828</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c01">1</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter II.—1830-1832</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c02">14</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter III.—1833</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c03">30</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter IV.—1833</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c04">43</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter V.—1834</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c05">57</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter VI.—1835</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c06">72</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter VII.—1836</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c07">84</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter VIII.—1837</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c08">97</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter IX.—1838</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c09">109</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter X.—1838</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c10">122</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XI.—1838-1839</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c11">139</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XII.—1839</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c12">153</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XIII.—1839</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c13">167</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XIV.—1839-1840</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c14">181</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XV.—1841-1842</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c15">194</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XVI.—1841-1842</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c16">206</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XVII.—1843</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c17">219</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc"><span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_xiv">[xiv]</span>Chapter XVIII.—1844-1845</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c18">231</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XIX.—1845-1847</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c19">245</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XX.—1847</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c20">259</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XXI.—1847-1848</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c21">271</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XXII.—1848-1853</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c22">287</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XXIII.—1853-1860</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c23">301</a> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl-top hang1 sc">Chapter XXIV—1860-1864</td> +<td class="tdr-bot"><a href="#c24">319</a> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xv">[xv]</span>LETTER OF ABDEL +KADER TO THE AUTHOR.</h2> + +<div class="figcenter iwdecor"> +<figure><img src='images/decor1.png' alt='[Decoration]'> +</figure> +</div> + +<p class="center med space-above15">[TRANSLATION.]</p> + +<p class="center space-above15">PRAISE BE TO GOD ALONE!</p> + +<p class="nind">To the amiable, the honourable, the +all-accomplished and virtuous Colonel Churchill.</p> + +<p>After offering you our salutations, and inquiring after your +noble pleasure, we have to acknowledge your valued letter, showing +your high regard for us.</p> + +<p>May God recompense you with His highest rewards, and make your +portion exceedingly rich and full in everlasting felicity.</p> + +<p>We have now to state that we were hindered from replying to you +sooner by an illness, which prevented us even for several days from +going to the house of prayer. But now it is the most imperative of +our imperative duties to thank you, in reply, for your great +kindness. We never cease inquiring about all that may concern, or +be connected with your Excellency; and we pray God to smooth and +prosper our affairs in common, and to establish us in all rectitude +and good works. With best wishes for your peace and happiness,</p> + +<p class="right">ABDEL KADER IBN MEHI-ED-DEEN.</p> + +<p class="nind"><em>1 Jumadi</em>, 1273.<br> +<em>25th December</em>, 1856.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<p class="center xlarge pb"><span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_1">[1]</span>LIFE OF ABDEL KADER.</p> + +<div class="figcenter iwdecor"> +<figure><img src='images/decor1.png' alt='[Decoration]'> +</figure> +</div> + +<h2 class="nopb"><a id="c01"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1807-1828.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Abdel Kader Nusr-ed-deen</span>, +fourth son of Abdel Kader Mehi-ed-deen, was born in the month of +May, 1807, at the paternal <em>ketna</em>, or family village, on +the banks of the river Hammam. This locality lies in the district +of Eghrees, appertaining to the province of Oran, in Algeria.</p> + +<p>From his infancy Abdel Kader was the especial object of his +father’s fondest affections. Even when at the breast, the doting +parent would constantly insist on taking the child in his arms; and +he reluctantly permitted anyone but himself to do the duties of a +nurse. Some secret and undefined impulse, as it seemed, impelled +him to devote more than ordinary care and attention to the child, +whose future career was to be so indelibly and gloriously +associated with his country’s weal.</p> + +<p>The physical constitution of the boy early exhibited a robust +development; whilst, by a strange contrast, his disposition +displayed a great natural timidity. The term “frightened at a +shadow,” might have been taken in its most literal<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span> sense in his case. In after years, +and when in the pride and vigour of manhood, he shone forth as the +bravest of the brave—ever foremost to lead the charge, or cover the +retreat—his father would often rally him on his boyish frailty, and +wonder at the extraordinary contrast.</p> + +<p>The mental powers of the boy were more than usually precocious. +At the age of five he could read and write; at twelve he was a +Taleb, or an approved proficient in the Koran, the Hadeeth +(traditional sayings of the prophet Mohammed), and all the most +esteemed religious expositions. Two years later he attained the +highly-prized distinction of being a Hafiz, or one who knows the +entire Koran by heart. In this position he had a class in the +family mosque, where he explained the most difficult and recondite +passages of the commentators. The extent of his youthful ambition +was to be a great Marabout, like his father, whom he loved and +regarded with an enthusiasm amounting to adoration.</p> + +<p>In his seventeenth year the youth was conspicuous amongst his +associates for his remarkable strength and agility. The perfect +symmetry and compactness of his figure—his height being about five +feet six inches—his bony make, his broad, deep chest, all betokened +a frame formed for untiring activity, and capable of enduring the +utmost fatigue.</p> + +<p>As an equestrian, none approached him. Not only was he a +graceful rider, but his marvellous superiority in all those feats +of horsemanship which require the nicest eye, the steadiest hand, +and the greatest efforts of muscular power, was the theme of all +who knew him. Touching his horse’s shoulder with his breast, he +would place one hand on its back, and vault over to the other side; +or, putting the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> animal +to its full speed, he would disengage his feet from the stirrups, +stand up in the saddle, and fire at a mark with the utmost +precision. Under his light and skilful touch, his well-trained Arab +would kneel down, or walk for yards on his hind legs, its fore ones +pawing the air, or spring and jump like a gazelle.</p> + +<p>But it was on the race-course that the youth more particularly +shone. That exciting pastime, into which the Algerian nobles enter +with a passion not exceeded by our most devoted amateurs of the +turf, was his peculiar element. Mounted on a jet-black steed—a +colour he especially affected, as generally accompanied by superior +equine qualities, and as throwing into relief the whiteness of his +burnous—he was the cynosure of every eye.</p> + +<p>His apparel was plain and simple. His arms alone displayed +ornament. His long Tunisian musket was inlaid with silver; his +pistols were encrusted with mother-of-pearl and coral; and his +Damascus blade encased in a sheath of silver gilt. These brilliant +appurtenances, combined with the partial gifts which Nature had +lavished on his person, threw an inexpressible charm around his +appearance.</p> + +<p>His countenance, of the purest classic mould, was singularly +attractive from its expressive and yet almost feminine beauty. His +nose—middling-sized and delicately shaped—a pleasing mean between +the Grecian and the Roman type; his lips, finely chiseled and +slightly compressed, bespoke dignified reserve and firmness of +purpose; while large, lustrous hazel eyes beamed from beneath a +massive forehead of marble whiteness with subdued and melancholy +softness, or flashed with the rays of genius and intelligence.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span>Once the race +engaged, his whole hearing and demeanour exhibited the most perfect +coolness and self-possession. Distancing his numerous competitors, +he would often reach the goal alone, amidst shouts of applause, +clapping of hands, and the exhilarating shouts of hundreds of +female voices bursting out into the <em>zulagheel</em>—that shrill +and piercing cry of joy and welcome amongst the Arabs, which is so +cheering to the triumphant warrior.</p> + +<p>Thus, when at a later period of his life he performed those +marvellous courses which astonished and confounded his +enemies—never sleeping for weeks together under cover, and rarely +ungirdling his sword—it was truly said of him that “his saddle was +his throne.”</p> + +<p>In Algeria, the nobility is divided into two distinct +classes—the Marabouts and the Djouads. The former derive their +position from religion; the other from the sword. These respective +representatives of moral influence and physical strength regard +each other with mutual scorn and jealousy. The Djouads accuse the +Marabouts of ill-disguised ambition, and of a greedy covetousness +after wealth and power, veiled under the specious pretext that +every fresh acquisition they make was solely for the service of +religion. The Marabouts taunt the Djouads with their violence, +licentiousness, and love of rapine.</p> + +<p>The Djied devotes himself entirely to the chase. He delights in +all the bracing recreations which call forth skill and courage. His +pride is to excel in falconry, in hunting the gazelle, the ostrich, +the panther, and the wild boar. These violent pursuits, the +thrilling excitement of which calls forth all the energies of body +and mind, prepare him for the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_5">[5]</span> more serious encounters of war. The chase is +the school for the razzia.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, although he certainly never contemplated the +possibility of ever being engaged in a razzia, and altogether +repudiated such a mode of warfare (based as it generally was on the +mere love of plunder), as equally contrary to his principles and +his inclination, yet engaged ardently in field sports. His +favourite diversion was to hunt the wild boar. Carefully avoiding +the ostentatious display of the Djouads, as they sallied forth with +their long train of adherents, their falcons, and their greyhounds, +he privately mounted his horse, and taking only two or three +domestics, plunged into the depths of the forest. On his return +from his sporting excursions, he betook himself to his studies with +renewed ardour.</p> + +<p>It is not surprising that one so highly gifted by nature, and so +earnest in the task of self-culture and improvement, should have +gradually obtained a considerable ascendancy over all around him. +Abdel Kader, indeed, already shared the unbounded respect, +confidence, and affection which the Arabs of Oran had so long +extended to his father. The latter, overjoyed to see his fondest +hopes thus realised, could not perform a duty, or enjoy a social +pleasure, without the presence of his favourite son. In his public +audiences, his plans and projects, his lesser journeyings, or his +more distant visits to the Turkish beys in the town, and the Arab +tribes in the Tell or Sahara, Abdel Kader was his unfailing +confidant and companion.</p> + +<p>According to Moslem usage, and the law of the Koran, Abdel Kader +married young. “Marry young,” says the Prophet, “marriage subdues +the man’s look and regulates the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_6">[6]</span> maiden’s conduct.” At that period of life when +the passions first agitate the breast, Abdel Kader was, in an +especial manner, the object of his father’s solicitude. Faithful +and trustworthy servants accompanied him wherever he went. He was +never allowed to be alone. Temptations were thus avoided which +might have endangered the purity of his morals. At the age of +fifteen he married his cousin, Leila Heira, who was alike +remarkable for her beauty and her moral attractions.</p> + +<p>The time at length arrived when Mehi-ed-deen, now in his +fiftieth year, felt it his duty to perform a pilgrimage to Mecca. +Large preparations were made for the solemn event. Many were the +entreaties on the part of his sons and retainers to be allowed the +boon of sharing the dangers and the honours of the journey. None +could endure the thought of being left behind. Mehi-ed-deen, +embarrassed by such applications, declared his intention of going +alone. The next day an exception was made in favour of Abdel Kader. +All, though with mournful hearts, were obliged to submit to the +final mandate; and father and son left the ketna, in October, +1823.</p> + +<p>The rumour of Mehi-ed-deen’s movement soon spread through the +province of Oran. Suddenly, a sympathetic impulse seemed to inspire +the Arabs in all directions. All remembered they had a pilgrimage +to perform. “To Mecca, to Mecca!” resounded on every side. Parties +were made, mules procured, tents prepared.</p> + +<p>On his first day’s halt, Mehi-ed-deen saw his place of +encampment invaded by hundreds of Arabs claiming the privilege of +joining him on his pious errand. On the second day<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> they increased to thousands. On +the fourth, a sea of tents surged around him. Gentle remonstrance +and stern refusal were equally unavailing. Mehi-ed-deen was their +Marabout, their chief, their saint, and doubly blessed would those +be who under such auspices should kiss the Holy Shrine. On the +sixth evening the vast pilgrimage had assembled on the banks of the +Ejdowia, in the valley of the Cheliff.</p> + +<p>At dead of night a Turkish horseman rode up at full gallop, and +dismounted at the tent of Mehi-ed-deen. He was the bearer of a +dispatch from Hussein Bey, the governor of Oran. The missive was +hastily opened by Abdel Kader, and found to contain a courteous +summons to his father to repair to that seat of government. Before +daybreak Mehi-ed-deen had finished his arrangements for a return to +Oran, in obedience to his chief’s commands.</p> + +<p>Great was the consternation which seized the Arabs when the news +of this unexpected summons got abroad; not only were all their +hopes damped and frustrated, but their liveliest fears were +awakened for their beloved leader. Numbers thronged around him. +Some clung to his person, others seized his horse; others again +flung themselves despairingly across the horse’s path—all +entreating and imploring him not to heed the message. To all these +ardent demonstrations of attachment Mehi-ed-deen, with that sense +of loyalty which never forsook him, calmly replied, “My children, +it is my duty to obey, and I go, though it cost me my head.”</p> + +<p>Having thus spoken, and bidden the friends around him farewell, +he took his course with Abdel Kader to the spot to which he was +summoned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span>The reception given +them by Hussein Bey was apparently frank and cordial. Addressing +himself to Mehi-ed-deen, he said, “You know, my friend, how high +you stand in my favour and esteem. Deeply has it grieved me to hear +the malicious reports which have been spread about you. Your +enemies are numerous. I dreaded lest you should fall into the hands +of the Dey of Algiers, whose territory you have just entered in a +way which, I know, has excited his suspicions. I sent for you, to +save you from impending danger. My heart was filled with anxiety on +your account.”</p> + +<p>“And it was to save you anxiety,” mildly and sarcastically +replied Mehi-ed-deen, “that I obeyed your summons.”</p> + +<p>There is no doubt, in fact, that Hussein Bey was himself +actuated by those very feelings of jealousy and suspicion which he +had described as peculiar to his colleague at Algiers. The strange +and unusual gathering of the Arabs around Mehi-ed-deen had alarmed +him. He knew and hated the great Marabout’s popularity. He dreaded +lest it might one day raise him into the position of a rival power. +Any overt acts of hostility against the man he feared, he was well +aware, were dangerous, if not fruitless. But now he had succeeded, +under the garb of friendship, in getting this very man into his +power. His subsequent proceedings soon revealed his real +intentions. Scarcely had Mehi-ed-deen and Abdel Kader gone to their +lodgings ere a Turkish guard was placed over them. Wherever they +went they were escorted by soldiers. Soldiers entered with them +into the houses of their friends. Soldiers stood by them in the +mosque. They were prisoners of state.</p> + +<p>This irksome position of things continued with +unabated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> rigour for two +years. Mehi-ed-deen never made a remonstrance. Profiting by their +forced seclusion, he and Abdel Kader ardently pursued their +favourite studies. They awaited with stoic resignation the issue of +their tyrant’s caprice. At last Hussein Bey, awakened to the folly +of his fears, sent for Mehi-ed-deen and gave him permission to +resume his pilgrimage.</p> + +<p>Resolving not to return to the ketna, even to bid adieu once +more to his family, lest such steps should produce a similar +manifestation to that which had previously caused them so much +embarrassment, Mehi-ed-deen and Abdel Kader left Oran with the +greatest privacy, in November, 1825. Passing through Medea and +Constantine, they reached Tunis, where they joined a company of +2,000 pilgrims who were awaiting a favourable occasion to proceed +by sea to Alexandria. The whole party shortly afterwards embarked +in a vessel bound for that port. But they were overtaken by a +violent storm, and were obliged to put back. A more prosperous +result attended their next essay; and after beating about for a +fortnight they reached their destination.</p> + +<p>After stopping a few days at Alexandria, Mehi-ed-deen and Abdel +Kader went on to Cairo, and pitched their tents near the town. Here +for the first and only time Abdel Kader saw Mohammed Ali. Little +did the youthful pilgrim imagine, while gazing on that successful +soldier, that he himself was already destined to outrival him, +before many more years had past, in military prowess, in +administrative ability, and in deeds of wide-world renown.</p> + +<p>The usual route to Mecca, by Suez and Djedda, was performed +without any incident worthy of notice. Having<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_10">[10]</span> performed their devotions at the Caaba, +Mehi-ed-deen and Abdel Kader separated from their companions and +went to Damascus. In that city they remained for some months. They +there made the acquaintance of the principal Ulemahs, and spent +most of their time in the great mosque, engaged in religious +readings.</p> + +<p>They now set out on another pilgrimage, scarcely less sacred in +their eyes than the one to Mecca,—that to the tomb of the famous +Abdel Kader il Djellali, the patron saint of Algeria. They reached +Bagdad in thirty days, by the Palmyra route. Belonging as they did +to a family well known for the costly presents which many of its +members had laid upon the sacred tomb, they received a most +hospitable reception from the cadi of the city, Mohammed il +Zachariah, who was himself a descendant of the great saint. +Mehi-ed-deen contributed a bag full of gold. To doubt the +miraculous powers of Abdel Kader il Djellali would have been as +great a sin in the eyes of the Marabout as to have doubted the +apostolic mission.</p> + +<p>His father Mustapha had thrice performed the pilgrimage to +Bagdad, and had at each time been favoured with peculiar +manifestations. Once when returning, and while yet eight days from +Damascus, he got separated from the caravan and lost his way. +Bewildered and benighted, he found himself alone in the desert. +Suddenly a negro appeared by his side, and offered to conduct him +to the city. At break of day he saw the minarets. The muezzin’s +call to prayer struck upon his ears. In a few hours, time and space +had been annihilated.</p> + +<p>At another time, when at Cairo, he was desirous of +buying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> a book, but he +had no money for the purchase. A stranger all at once advanced +towards him, placed some coins in his hand, and disappeared. Such, +according to the belief of Mehi-ed-deen, were the rewards of a firm +and unshaken faith in Abdel Kader il Djellali.</p> + +<p>This Moslem saint flourished in the twelfth century. There are +cenotaphs to his memory all over the East. In Algeria the +operations of the physical world are believed to be under his +control. No journey is ever undertaken without prayers for his +protection; none are terminated without a festival in his honour. +The Arabs attribute the success and good fortune of Abdel Kader to +the patronage of his mighty namesake. But whenever Abdel Kader was +questioned as to his own belief in such a superstition, he +invariably replied, with finger pointed up to heaven, “My trust was +in God alone.”</p> + +<p>Many stories have been circulated about mysterious indications +given to Abdel Kader, while at Bagdad, of his future greatness. +They are all without foundation. It is true Mehi-ed-deen had a +dream. An angelic being appeared to him, and putting a key into his +hand, told him to hasten back to Oran. On demanding what he was to +do with the key, the spirit replied to him, “God will direct you.” +The dream made an impression at the time on the two pilgrims, for +it was noted down, and long remembered; but it only excited +curiosity, without fostering delusion.</p> + +<p>After spending three months at Bagdad, father and son returned +to Mecca. Their funds were exhausted. For the remainder of their +journey, they depended on the resources of their fellow-travellers, +pilgrims like themselves, who were<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_12">[12]</span> going back to Algeria. They took the land +route the entire way, and reached home early in 1828, after an +absence of more than two years.</p> + +<p>Great were the rejoicings which celebrated their safe arrival at +the ketna. The first and most prominent in the round of festivities +was a great banquet in honour of Abdel Kader il Djellali. Fifteen +oxen and eighty sheep were sacrificed. Guests of every rank and +class hourly arrived from all parts, spontaneously and uninvited. +Some were superbly mounted and splendidly attired, followed by +trains of slaves and domestics; others of the middle classes came +riding on mules and donkeys, whilst hundreds of the lower orders +kept pouring in, eagerly anticipating the princely fare of their +revered Marabout.</p> + +<p>Mehi-ed-deen, whose hospitality was proverbial, would hear of no +limits to this costly profusion; and thus week after week rolled +on, and still fresh guests were perpetually arriving to swell the +general tide of festivity. Nor was it till nearly all the Arabs of +the province of Oran, and numerous deputations from the tribes of +the Sahara, had paid their tribute of homage and congratulation to +the respected chief of the Hashem, that the Wady Hammam resumed its +wonted aspect of quiet and repose.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was now once more a peaceful dweller at the paternal +ketna. He made a vow of religious seclusion. No visions of human +greatness rose before him. No worldly aspirations agitated his +breast. He scorned the allurements of ambition. His whole time was +given up to close and unremitting study. No cloistered monk ever +shunned more carefully all contact with his fellow-men. From +sunrise to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> sunset he +rarely left his room. His only interruptions were his meals and the +sacred intervals of prayer.</p> + +<p>The works of Plato, Pythagoras, Aristotle, treatises by the most +famous authors of the Arabian Caliphates, on ancient and modern +history, philosophy, philology, astronomy, geography, and even +works on medicine, were eagerly perused by the enthusiastic +student. His library accumulated. The master-spirits were around +him. He would not have exchanged his communion with them for all +the thrones in the universe. But a change was about to come.</p> + +<p>The mysterious power which regulates the human will, and makes +every mortal career subservient to its all-wise, all-comprehensive +and resistless fiat, was exercising its invisible influence. Abdel +Kader had renounced the world. He was ere long to appear one of its +foremost actors. He hated battle—yet was he soon to shine mightiest +in the battle’s front.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span><a id= +"c02"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1830-1832.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">The</span> taking of Algiers by +the French in 1830 did not at first inspire the Arabs with any +unusual feelings of dread or anxiety. The Franks had often +descended on their coasts, and even occupied some of their maritime +towns. The standards of Spain and England had waved triumphantly on +the ramparts of Oran and Tangiers. Bona and Algiers had been +compelled at different times to yield a sullen deference to the +requirements of European civilisation; but the military occupation +and the political pressure had alike ceased. Thus the Arabs had +never as yet seen any reason to regard a hostile incursion on their +soil, by the Franks, as pregnant with danger to their national +existence.</p> + +<p>The proceedings of the French, however, in Algeria, soon +convinced them that the presence of these invaders was no ordinary +visitation. General Bourmont, indeed, from the outset, declared in +a public proclamation, that France took possession, not only of the +town of Algiers, but of the whole Regency. This announcement, +closely followed as it was by the exile of the Dey, the removal of +every trace and vestige of Turkish power, the deportation of the +Turkish population, the issuing of laws and ordinances in the name +of the King of the French, the enlarging and beautifying of the +town of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> Algiers, the +seizure of all the towns along the coast, and the advances of +military reconnaissance towards the Atlas, revealed designs which +neither the Arabs of the actual generation, nor their ancestors, +had ever been called upon to counteract.</p> + +<p>Before the French began to move beyond the walls of Algiers, the +disposition of the Arabs towards them had been apparently friendly. +Provisions had been brought in abundantly. Some of their chiefs had +made overtures of submission. The Bey of Tittery had even accepted +French investiture. So promising, indeed, was the aspect of +affairs, that the French fancied they were about to be hailed as +deliverers, and considered that the Arabs, overjoyed at being +emancipated from the hated Turkish yoke, would thankfully accept +French domination. The first movement of the French into the +interior rapidly dispelled this pleasing illusion.</p> + +<p>An expedition, commanded by the French general in person, to +Blidah, a town situated at the foot of the Lower Atlas (July 24th, +1830), at once revealed the rising feeling of the Arabs. Lulled +into security by the apparent heartiness of their reception among +the inhabitants of Blidah, the leading men of which town came out +to meet them, the French threw off their knapsacks, and wandered +joyously amidst its delicious gardens. Suddenly, bands of Arabs and +Kabyles rushed down upon them from the mountains above, and with +wild cries commenced a vigorous attack. The French rapidly +collected, bravely held their ground, and the next day retreated in +good order to Algiers.</p> + +<p>The Arabs took this temporary advantage as an earnest +of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> future successes. +From that moment, the spirit of defiance and resistance assumed a +decided form. The Marabouts, leading and directing the national +mind, proclaimed the Djehad, or Holy War. The Bey of Tittery, +anxious to atone for his recent defection, wrote to Bourmont, +fixing the day when at the head of 20,000 men, he would drive him +and his Frenchmen into the sea.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, French garrisons were quietly being stationed +in all the seaport towns. At Oran, Hussein Bey became anxious to be +delivered from a position which had become dangerous to his person. +He was closely blockaded by the Arabs, burning to revenge +themselves on his tyranny. His Turkish militia was utterly +powerless for his defence. The Arabs in Turkish employ, the +<em>Maghzen</em>, as they were called, were flying before the +tribes so long oppressed, who now considered that their hour of +retaliation was come.</p> + +<p>In this dilemma, Hussein, unwilling to fly, and yet unable to +hold his post, determined on adopting a course which, though +humiliating to his pride, was dictated by the sternest necessity. +He sent for Mehi-ed-deen, and craved his protection. Mehi-ed-deen, +astonished at such an application, and fearing to compromise +himself with his own countrymen by a hasty consent, asked leave to +return home to consult the Hashems.</p> + +<p>On his arrival at the ketna, he assembled a family council, and +called on each member to give his opinion on the subject. The +prevailing opinion was to the effect that it would be ungenerous to +refuse the Bey’s request. It was true, as was on every hand +admitted, that the injuries done by him to their beloved chief had +been wanton and malicious; but it<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_17">[17]</span> was urged, that it would be a stain upon Arab +character to refuse an asylum to the fallen.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader spoke. He begged the indulgence of his relatives, +and particularly of his father, if he ventured to differ from them. +In the state of anarchy which now existed in the province of Oran, +he argued, it was by no means certain that they could protect the +Bey from the effects of the universal feelings of hatred and +indignation which prevailed against him. Whatever steps they might +take, the Bey would still run the risk of being insulted, +assaulted, perhaps murdered. Who could avert an outburst of popular +fury, or be answerable for its consequences? In such an event, how +great would be the disgrace of those who had given him a +safe-conduct, and had been unable to make it respected!</p> + +<p>“Another and equally important reason,” pursued Abdel Kader, +“militates against the reception of the Bey in our ketna. An asylum +given by our family to that detested representative of Turkish +tyranny, would be looked upon by the Arabs as a kind of tacit +forgetfulness of all his past conduct. Consequently we should make +to ourselves enemies of all the tribes to whom the Bey is +obnoxious; in other words, of all the Arabs of Oran.”</p> + +<p>Mehi-ed-deen at once declared himself a convert to his son’s +reasoning; and in this step he was shortly followed by every member +of the council. A messenger was sent to inform the Bey that his +request could not be granted, as Mehi-ed-deen would not become +responsible for his safety. On the 4th of January, 1831, General +Damremont entered the port of Oran. The Bey at once surrendered, +and he was allowed to embark for Alexandria.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>The disorder and +anarchy which had already broken out in the interior was now +constantly on the increase. The Mohammedans of the sea-coast towns, +who had fled from the French, were roaming about the country with +their families in terror and despair. The Arabs waylaid them, and +robbed them without mercy. Mehi-ed-deen, who had hitherto been a +passive observer of events, felt that the time had now arrived for +action. By his orders Abdel Kader and his brothers, with effective +escorts, scoured the plains in all directions, protecting the +unfortunate fugitives, rescuing many from the hands of the +marauders, and conducting all to places of safety.</p> + +<p>But whatever good Mehi-ed-deen effected by this humane and +timely interposition, it was evident that a far more potent arm +than his was requisite to establish anything like a semblance of +order and government. Not only on the plains, but in the towns, +strife and contention were raging unchecked. Party feuds, which had +been long suspended, broke out afresh with redoubled acrimony. The +Arabs were everywhere giving the reins to their innate propensities +for unbridled licence and lawlessness.</p> + +<p>Long and anxious were the consultations held by the Marabouts on +this frightful state of affairs. At length, with one accord, they +determined to go to Mehi-ed-deen for counsel. Mehi-ed-deen thus +appealed to, addressed the applicants for his advice in the +following terms:—</p> + +<p>“For many months, as you all know, I have been trying to +preserve some degree of order amidst the general confusion which +prevails; but my utmost endeavours have only been able to rescue a +few of the weak and unprotected from the brutality of violent +men.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>“The tyranny of +the Turks cramped and crushed our energies; but the present state +of things, if allowed to continue, will destroy them utterly. The +bonds of society are dissolved. Every man’s hand is raised against +his neighbour. Our people, given up to their vile passions, are +daily outraging the laws of God and man. At the same time, the +evils which menace us from without are not less formidable than +those which consume us from within. Shall we call in the French? +Impossible. To submit to them, much more to invite them, would be +to betray our duty to our God, our country, and our faith.</p> + +<p>“Yet the French are a warlike nation, strong in numbers, +abounding in riches, and burning with a love of conquest. And what +have we to oppose to them? Tribes at variance with each other; +designing and rapacious chiefs striving for personal +aggrandisement; a commonalty which has thrown off all restraint, +some enriching themselves by plunder, others precariously holding +their own. The parties are too unequal. With such materials, to +imagine even a successful struggle with the infidel would be folly, +to attempt it, madness.</p> + +<p>“No. The French king, powerful as he is, can only be effectually +opposed by a king like himself at the head of a well-regulated +state, disposing of a well-filled treasury, commanding a +disciplined army. Nor need we go far to find such a one. The Sultan +of Morocco already sympathises with us. He must know full well that +the external danger which threatens us may ultimately menace him. +His presence amongst us will at once encourage and embolden the +good, and awe the wicked. Order will be enforced.<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> Fighting under him, we shall +march to assured victory; for his standards are the standards of +God and the Prophet.”</p> + +<p>A few days afterwards, an embassy, comprising ten of the most +influential Marabouts and Sheiks, with an escort of fifty horsemen, +and mules laden with presents, took its departure for Fez. Sultan +Abderahman received the embassy with every appearance of +cordiality, and promised to consider its demands. Six months +elapsed without any reply. At last the Arab chiefs were sent for. +Movements in the palace, and the assemblage of the troops, showed +that the petition of the Arabs of Algeria had been granted. In six +weeks, the Sultan’s son Ali, at the head of 5,000 cavalry and two +parks of artillery, established his headquarters at Tlemsen, in the +province of Oran.</p> + +<p>Mehi-ed-deen and Abdel Kader, with all the chiefs of the Hashem, +chiefs from the Beni Mejaher, the Beni Amer, and other tribes, +hastened to pay their homage to the son and representative of their +new Sultan. His authority was speedily recognised in all parts of +the regency. The <em>khotba</em>, or public prayer for the +Mohammedan Sultan, was pronounced in all the mosques for the Sultan +of Morocco. Everything conspired to confirm the belief that Algeria +had peaceably passed under the Moorish sceptre. But the French +Government, seasonably apprised of these newly-formed relations +between the Arabs and the Sultan Abderahman, at once sent the +latter an ultimatum of immediate withdrawal from Algeria, or +war.</p> + +<p>Abderahman, compelled to choose one or other of these +alternatives, and being totally unprepared to commence hostilities, +immediately sent orders to his son to return. In a<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> few days, although the Moors had +been warmly welcomed, even in the provinces of Tittery and +Constantine, not one was to be seen in the whole country. The +Marabouts and chiefs now resolved to offer the dignity of Sultan to +Mehi-ed-deen, and went in a body for that purpose to the ketna. He +modestly declined the offer; but at the same time he recommended a +second appeal to Morocco.</p> + +<p>Another embassy was accordingly sent to Fez, to implore the +Moorish Sultan to lend his name, at least, if he could not give +material aid and assistance, to the movement which was being made +in his favour. Unable to act overtly, yet hoping to profit by +events, Abderahman so far complied with their request, that he sent +a confidential agent to Mascara. This clandestine proceeding, +however, produced no effect. The Arabs scorned a power which dared +not openly display itself; and in a short time the Moorish agent +was withdrawn.</p> + +<p>Again all eyes were turned to Mehi-ed-deen. Again the Arabs +entreated him to be their Sultan. “No,” he replied. “I am not +adequate to perform the duties of such a post; but what religion +imposes upon me, that will I do. I will go with you to the Djehad.” +The Arabs had for some time been making approaches to Oran, now +strongly occupied by the French. Abdel Kader had taken the field, +and his father served under him.</p> + +<p>The Arabs had recently been attacking Fort Philip, a strong +citadel to the south of the town. Abdel Kader had both proposed and +superintended the operation. Conspicuous in a scarlet burnous, he +led on a mixed body of cavalry and infantry to the very walls of +the fort. Ordering the latter to descend into the ditch and keep up +a constant fire on the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_22">[22]</span> ramparts, he placed the former in such a +position as to be ready to resist any sortie which might be made +from the place. The fire of shot and shell which the French opened +on the Arabs was such as might have staggered the best disciplined +troops. But Abdel Kader, careering to and fro, and cheering his +comrades by his voice and gestures, kept them together, and taught +them to despise the tremendous missiles which were so wont to fill +them with terror and amazement.</p> + +<p>Word was sent him that the Arabs he had placed in the ditch had +expended their ammunition, and that no one would expose himself to +supply them. “Cowards!” he exclaimed, “give me the cartridges.” +Wrapping them up in the folds of his burnous, he dashed singly +across the plain, rode up to the fort, threw them into the ditch, +and urging his men to be firm and go on with their work, returned, +to the surprise of all, without being touched.</p> + +<p>On this and many similar occasions of peril and enterprise, in +which he fleshed his maiden sword, Abdel Kader’s courage and +bravery drew forth not only praises, but rapturous admiration. The +Arabs began to look with superstitious reverence on one, who as +with a charmed life, rode fearlessly and harmlessly wherever danger +menaced; now breaking through the line of the enemy’s skirmishers; +now charging up to a square, and sweeping the bayonets with his +sabre; now standing unmoved and pointing contemptuously at the +cannon balls as they whizzed by his head, or at the shells as they +exploded at his feet.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, however confident the Arabs might feel in their +young chief, however they might acknowledge that in<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> him a master-spirit had arisen +to conduct them in their struggle against the infidels, they felt +that this desultory mode of attack was not war. They saw full well +that without a responsible head to organise, to raise revenues by +regular imposts, to husband resources, and to form and carry out a +clearly defined plan of campaign, all their efforts would be +abortive, all their sacrifices useless. At a grand meeting held at +Mascara, these topics were earnestly discussed.</p> + +<p>Mehi-ed-deen, who was enjoying a short repose at the ketna, was +invited to attend. Scarcely had he arrived and dismounted, when an +excited throng surrounded him. A tumult of voices was raised. On +all sides he was thus apostrophised,—“How long, O Mehi-ed-deen, are +we to be left without a leader? How long will you remain a callous +spectator of our distractions; you, whose name alone would suffice +to rally all hearts, to encourage the desponding, to curb the +malignant, to give strength and cohesion to the common cause? +Already many of our bravest have fallen off in weariness and +disgust. Who, they say, is to repair our losses, to replace our +horses killed, our arms broken and useless? You, O Mehi-ed-deen, +are answerable for all this.” Then, placing their swords at his +breast, the chiefs exclaimed:—“Choose between being our Sultan or +instant death.”</p> + +<p>Mehi-ed-deen, violently agitated, but still preserving his +presence of mind, demanded to be heard. “You all know,” he said, +“that I am a man of peace, devoting myself to the worship of God. +The task of ruling involves the use of brute force and the shedding +of blood. But since you insist<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_24">[24]</span> on my being your Sultan, I consent; and +abdicate in favour of my son, Abdel Kader.”</p> + +<p>This sudden and unexpected solution of the question was received +with loud acclamations of approval. The name of Abdel Kader was +repeated with enthusiasm. The character, the personal appearance, +the manly bearing, the tried gallantry of the favourite son of +Mehi-ed-deen, became the general topic of discourse. A horseman was +forthwith despatched to bring him from the ketna.</p> + +<p>Early on the next morning, November 21st, 1832, Abdel Kader +entered Mascara. All the streets and avenues leading to the town +were thronged. Men, women, and children vied with each other in +joyful demonstrations of welcome to their future Sultan. Ushered +into the large court where the council was assembled, Abdel Kader +was informed of all that had passed. Calm, self-collected, and +unelated, he simply said, “It is my duty to obey the commands of my +father.” A burst of applause followed this simple avowal of filial +obedience and patriotic devotion.</p> + +<p>Placed in an antique chair of state, which had formerly belonged +to some Spanish grandee, and which had been dragged forth from its +musty recess for the occasion, the young Sultan, of twenty-five +years of age, received the allegiance of the nobles and chiefs +congregated around him. Loud shouts of “Long life and victory to +our Sultan, Abdel Kader!” burst from the whole assembly. They were +caught up and reiterated by the people from without, and thus +heralded the inauguration of an Arabian Caliphate.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon Abdel Kader went to the Mosque, which was +already crowded to suffocation. After performing his<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> devotions, he stood up. A Koran +was put into his hands. He read and expounded. By degrees his +countenance became more animated, his voice more resonant, his +manner more impressive, and his action more emphatic, as, leaving +the language of disquisition, he passed to more noble and exalted +themes.</p> + +<p>Not for minutes, but for hours, and until the sun had sunk below +the horizon, did the soldier orator pour forth one continued stream +of burning and impassioned eloquence. He expatiated, in +heart-rending tones, on the sins, the iniquities, the crimes, the +horrors which polluted the land. In vivid terms he depicted +Heaven’s judgments overtaking a godless and vice-abandoned people; +and now, again, he conjured up before the minds of his audience, in +characters of flame, the appalling picture of their country ravaged +by the infidel, their domestic hearths violated, their temples +desecrated.</p> + +<p>The sensation of wonder and astonishment which had at first +filled the breasts of his hearers, now rapidly changed into +conscience-stricken feelings of shame, contrition, and remorse. But +when, with outstretched arm and lightning glance, he called on his +countrymen, in words which glowed with the fire of inspiration, to +stand boldly forward in the sacred cause of God and the Prophet, to +rally round the standard of the “Djehad,” and to emulate the +glorious martyrs of the true faith; and then painted in vivid +colours the liberated spirits of the slain entering the blissful +mansions, they sprang to their feet, they shook their spears, they +clashed their swords, they wept aloud, and with frantic cries +yelled out, “Il Djehad! Il Djehad!”</p> + +<p>Exulting in his prowess, again and again did the +consummate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> artist +strike the chord, whose vibrations had thrilled every heart and +enkindled every soul, and, as the frenzied voices rose louder and +louder around him, his voice yet surged above them all. Gathering +fresh impulse from the responsive acclamations of his hearers, he +swayed to and fro. He smote his breast. Big drops of sweat suffused +his brow. His eyes glistened and flashed. He flung his hands aloft, +as though appealing to celestial witnesses. At last, so crushing +and overpowering became his excitement, that Reason might have +succumbed, had not Nature, by a copious flood of tears, relieved +the fearful tension.</p> + +<p>The next day (November 22nd, 1832) Abdel Kader proceeded in +state to the valley of Ersibia, ten minutes’ distance from Mascara. +Ten thousand Arab cavalry were there in waiting to receive and +welcome their newly-elected sovereign. They were arranged, +according to their tribes, in one continuous crescent, around a +splendid tent, which had been erected in the centre of the plain. +The entire population of Mascara occupied the intervening +ground.</p> + +<p>Just as the sun’s slanting rays peered over the heights of +Djebel Nusmut, lighting up this scene as if by magic brightness, +the shrill cries of the women, the shouts of the men, and incessant +crashes of musketry, announced the approach of the royal cavalcade. +First came a chosen band, escorting the standard of the Djehad. +Then followed the chiefs of the Beni Amer, the Beni Mejaher, the +Beni Yacoub, the Beni Abbas, on their high-mettled steeds, with +their brilliant equipments, and well-burnished arms. Now appeared +Abdel Kader—a plain, unornamented, red burnous flung over his +shoulders, riding his favourite black charger. The chiefs +of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> the Beni Hashem, +his own tribe, brought up the rear of the splendid +<em>cortège</em>.</p> + +<p>Passing on, as quickly as the crowd would permit—for some +thronged round to kiss his hand, some the hem of his burnous, +others even his horse’s feet—Abdel Kader reached the tent and +dismounted. For some minutes he was lost to view. At length +Mehi-ed-deen came forth, leading him by the hand, in order to +present him to the people. “Behold the Sultan announced by +prophecy!” he exclaimed. “Behold the son of Zohra! Obey him as you +would have obeyed me. God protect the Sultan!” “Our lives, our +properties, all that we have, are his!” shouted the people. “We +will obey no law but that of our Sultan Abdel Kader.”</p> + +<p>“I, in my turn,” replied Abdel Kader, “will know no law but the +Koran. By the precepts of the Koran, and the Koran alone, will I be +guided. If my own brother forfeits his life by the Koran, he shall +die.”</p> + +<p>Amidst the acclamations which saluted this short but pregnant +speech, Abdel Kader vaulted into his saddle, and, followed by all +his chiefs, swept at full speed along the Arab lines. At intervals +he reined up, briefly ejaculating, “Il Djehad! Il Djehad! Liberty +and independence are only in the Djehad. Paradise is in the shade +of sabres. Rally round the standard of the Djehad!”</p> + +<p>The banners waved, the drums and trumpets sent forth their +martial sounds, and the mighty mass, breaking ground, circled round +their Sultan in successive squadrons, and then escorted him back to +Mascara. After snatching a hasty meal, Abdel Kader shut himself up +in a small room, and, summoning his secretaries, dictated the +following proclamation:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>“Praise be to God +alone, and blessings and salutation from on high on him,<a id= +"FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> +after whom there is no prophet.</p> + +<p>“To (such and such a tribe), and in particular to its nobles, +sheiks, notables, and alemahs.</p> + +<p>“May God enlighten you, guide and direct your counsels, and give +success to your deeds and actions. The citizens of the districts, +Mascara, the Eastern and Western Gharees, and their neighbours and +allies, the Beni Sokrân, El Borgiés, the Beni Abbas, the Yacoubiés, +the Beni Amer, the Beni Mejaher, and others, have agreed +unanimously to appoint me, and have accordingly appointed me, to +the government of our country; pledging themselves to obey me in +success and in distress, in prosperity and in adversity; and to +consecrate their persons, their sons, and their properties to the +great and holy cause.</p> + +<p>“We have, therefore, assumed this important charge (though with +extreme reluctance), hoping it may be the means of uniting the +great body of Moslems, of preventing dissensions amongst them, of +affording general security to all dwellers in the land, of checking +all acts of lawlessness on the part of the disorderly against the +well-disposed, and of driving back and overcoming the enemy who has +invaded our country with a view of placing their yoke upon our +necks.</p> + +<p>“As a condition of our acceptance, we have imposed on those who +have delegated to us the supreme power, the duty of always +conforming, in all their actions, to the holy precepts and teaching +of the book of God, and of administrating justice in their various +spheres, according to the law of the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_29">[29]</span> Prophet; loyally and impartially, to the +strong and the weak, the noble and the respectable. This condition +has been accepted by them.</p> + +<p>“We hereby invite you to be partakers in this pledge, or +compact, between ourselves and them. Hasten, therefore, to make +manifest your allegiance and obedience; and may God prosper you in +this world and in the world to come. My great object is to reform, +and to do good as much as in me lies. My trust is in God; and from +Him, and Him only, I expect reward and success.</p> + +<p>“By order of the Defender of Religion, our sovereign lord, the +Prince of the Faithful, Abdel Kader-ibn-Mehi-ed-deen. May God give +him the victory. Amen. Dated from Mascara, November 22, 1832.”</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span><a id= +"c03"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1833.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">The</span> appeal thus made by +Abdel Kader was variously entertained by the different tribes to +which it was addressed. The religious party was inclined to give +its strenuous support to one who summoned them to fight for the +faith. The men of worldly views and individual ambition looked with +jealousy on such an assumption of sovereignty. Chiefs, who even +under the Turkish rule had struggled to maintain an independent +existence, felt little disposed to accept the mandates of a +compeer, whose claims to an extended sway were in their eyes no +better than their own.</p> + +<p>Even in the province of Oran, the imposing circumstances under +which Abdel Kader had been installed, had excited party feelings +rather than disarmed them. Sidi-il-Aribi, a powerful chieftain, +whose influence was supreme over the tribe of the Flittas, in the +valley of the Cheliff, spoke of the new power with undisguised +contempt. El Ghomari, chief of the Beni Engad, held sternly aloof. +Noona, who affected to hold Tlemsen for the Sultan of Morocco, felt +it beneath him to give his adhesion. Mustapha-ibn-Ismail, an old +and experienced warrior, grown grey in the Turkish service as +leader of the <em>Maghzen</em>, scornfully disdained to kiss the +hands, as he expressed it, of a beardless boy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>As a contrast to +these selfish views and circumscribed ambitions, Abdel Kader +presented to his countrymen the one simple and majestic idea of an +Arab nationality. Little as it might be at first comprehended and +appreciated by a race accustomed for centuries to bow their necks +to a foreign yoke, and in whom all principles of patriotism had +long been extinguished, he trusted that amongst the hundreds of +tribes which occupied Algeria there would be some, at least, in +whom it would awake a responsive echo.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, though not a fanatic himself, Abdel Kader +well knew the latent fires of fanaticism which slumber in every +Moslem breast. What love of country would not effect, zeal for +religion might surely accomplish. He determined, consequently, to +make this latter feeling the key-stone to the mighty superstructure +his genius alone had dared to imagine. In this unity of design +consisted the grandeur of the drama he proposed to exhibit to the +civilised world.</p> + +<p>He now issued invitations for a general rendezvous of forces at +Mascara, in the spring of 1833. Many important tribes from the Tell +and the Sahara responded cordially to the summons. Of the +<em>Maghzen</em> tribes, who had been so long the instruments of +the Turks for the enslavement and oppression of their brethren, +some sent evasive, some insulting answers. Anarchy was better +suited to their sordid dispositions. They were ready, if occasion +presented itself, to offer their mercenary swords to the +French.</p> + +<p>On the day appointed—May 18th, 1833—an imposing array of 8,000 +cavalry and 1,000 infantry assembled on the plains of Ersibia. +Abdel Kader’s own standard, a large white flag, with an open hand +in the centre, was unfurled<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_32">[32]</span> before the multitude with great pomp and +ceremony. After riding through the ranks, and apostrophising the +assemblage in a few short, trenchant sentences, which caused the +blood to thrill through their veins, he led them off to take the +field in the direction of Oran.</p> + +<p>On this expedition he inaugurated that system, so conspicuous +alike for its simplicity and its regularity, which he afterwards +maintained under all changes and vicissitudes throughout his whole +career. His tent was large and commodious, and displayed hangings +adorned with red, blue, yellow, and green crescents. A woollen +curtain divided it into two compartments. The largest of these was +the <em>menzoul</em>, or general reception-room, open to all +comers, and in which he heard appeals and administered justice. The +smaller he used as his bedroom and library; and here he spent more +time in reading than in sleeping.</p> + +<p>On alighting at the end of the day’s march, which was generally +over by mid-day, he dismissed all his attendants, and retired into +the strictest privacy, scrupulously devoting an hour to prayer. He +then went into the <em>menzoul</em>, where his principal officers +and secretaries were in waiting to receive him. The movements of +the enemy and his own plans were now discussed, or orders and +dispatches were dictated by himself. On these occasions he +frequently supported his commands by appropriate quotations from +the Koran. His ordinary military council consisted of four chiefs, +a kehié, and his treasurer; but other chiefs were called in, if +thought advisable. He listened to the suggestions of all with the +greatest patience and urbanity.</p> + +<p>At sunset, Abdel Kader stood at the door of his tent, +and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> preached. None +were compelled to attend; but none, if possible, absented +themselves from these discourses. Thence, as from a central source +of light and heat, all daily received that warmth of warlike and +religious zeal which glowed within their breasts. For Abdel Kader +pre-eminently possessed the art of attracting the love and +admiration of his followers; and he wielded with an almost magical +power that talisman which is the gift, as it is the sign, of noble +and exalted natures.</p> + +<p>For some weeks previous to Abdel Kader’s present advance on +Oran, the Hashem Gharabas, his family tribe, had been engaged in a +series of encounters with the French, under General Boyers. This +general had lately been replaced by General Desmichels; and Abdel +Kader came up just in time to assist his allies in resisting a +vigorous attack made on them by the latter. Dividing his force into +two portions, he sent one to fall on the enemy’s left flank, +whilst, at the head of the other, he marched directly up to a fort +which the French general had erected at a place called Figuier. The +defence of this fort was supported by a battalion of infantry, a +squadron of Chasseurs d’Afrique, and two pieces of artillery.</p> + +<p>On approaching the fort, the Arab infantry wavered. Abdel Kader +at once sprang from his horse, and taking the lead on foot, +attempted an escalade. Twice repulsed in his endeavours to take the +fort, he remounted, and drawing off his men, rejoined his cavalry +in the plain. There the French were utterly unable to resist the +onset made upon them. Their lines of skirmishers were swept away, +their squares broken. The engagement was prolonged till night, +when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> Desmichels +retreated under cover of the fire from his artillery. For some days +there was a suspension of hostilities.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, impatient of inaction, proceeded one night with a +hundred picked horsemen, and placed himself in ambush in a copse, a +short distance from Oran, through which the French were accustomed +to send their reliefs of cavalry to the outposts. At the ordinary +hour, a squadron of Chasseurs made their appearance. Abdel Kader +led on the charge, routed and dispersed them, slaying several, and +taking thirty prisoners. One Chasseur made a thrust at him with his +spear. The weapon passed under his left arm. He held it firmly +between his left arm and side as in a vice, and with a swing of his +sabre cut off the Frenchman’s head.</p> + +<p>In the <em>mêlée</em> his cousin Achmet was shot down. Abdel +Kader was by the side of his wounded relative in a moment. After +stanching the blood and binding up his wound, he placed the +sufferer before him on his horse, and carried him out of reach of +danger. Shortly afterwards, seeing that the French were not +disposed again to measure their swords with his, he drew off his +whole force, and returned to Mascara.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had conducted this movement more with the intention +of trying his men, and of inspiring them with confidence, than with +the hopes of achieving any permanent result. He felt that the +jealousies and rivalries which environed him could only be +dispersed by the tumult of battle; and that all internal +difficulties would vanish before success. His reception at Mascara +fully confirmed this impression. Many chiefs who had hitherto +withheld their allegiance, were there awaiting him. Hadj-ibn-Isa, a +celebrated Marabout, alone brought with him deputations from twenty +tribes in the Sahara.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>Abdel Kader, +deeply impressed with the necessity of absolute union amongst his +countrymen, to enable him to complete their common independence, +now determined on smiting with the sword all who questioned or +attempted to resist his power. Sidi-il-Aribi had been collecting +forces, which, as he never hesitated to declare, were to be +directed against the aspiring son of Mehi-ed-deen.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader paid him an unexpected visit at the head of 5,000 +men, announcing his approach by discharges of musketry and shouts +of triumph. His rival was completely taken by surprise; and the +defence he attempted was quickly paralysed. Tents were knocked +over, prisoners made, flocks carried off. It was only by sending a +written engagement of submission, and sending his son as a hostage +to his conqueror, that the old chief obtained forgiveness of the +past, and security for the future.</p> + +<p>On continuing his course through the vast valley of the Cheliff +and the adjoining regions, Abdel Kader received the adhesion of +several important tribes. He even advanced as far as the Ouarensis, +a difficult mountain range, inhabited by fierce Kabyles. These +stern republicans, secure in their fastnesses, and indifferent as +to the doings of the outer world, were accustomed to scorn all +authority. Uncertain as to their attitude, Abdel Kader refrained +from pushing his expedition further. At a later period these very +tribes obeyed him like children.</p> + +<p>Where no great feudal influences prevailed, the authority of +Abdel Kader was promptly and even thankfully accepted. The small +provincial towns at once opened their gates to him. His occupation +of Arzew, situated two leagues from the port<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_36">[36]</span> of that name, was marked by a circumstance +which gave rise to reports reflecting both erroneously and +injuriously on his character for humanity.</p> + +<p>He had issued the most stringent orders that no communications +should be opened with the French. In direct violation of this +order, Sidi Achmet-ibn-il-Taher, the Cadi of that town, had +supplied the French with cattle and forage, and, what was +considered a far graver crime, had even sold them horses. Abdel +Kader had often written to him, warning him of the consequences of +his conduct, and menacing him with exemplary punishment if he +persisted in his proceedings. The Cadi, unable to give up the +profit he was making by his transactions, and calculating on French +protection, persevered. Abdel Kader one day suddenly dashed into +the town. The Cadi was seized, loaded with chains, and conveyed to +the prison at Mascara.</p> + +<p>Giving strict injunctions that nothing was for the present to be +done to the delinquent, he rode off to the Beni Amers on matters +which detained him several days. His private intentions were to +allow the Cadi to ransom his life (justly forfeited by the law of +the Koran) for 5,000 francs. On his return to Mascara he found, to +his surprise, that the Cadi had been put to death. Mehi-ed-deen had +had him tried. He had been condemned to capital punishment, and the +sentence had been carried into immediate execution. His eyes had +been put out. The responsibility of this latter act of brutality, +which was the spontaneous suggestion of one of the executioners, +has been spitefully thrown by some on Abdel Kader.</p> + +<p>Fully comprehending that mere successes in the field would not +be sufficient to consolidate his dominion, Abdel Kader<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> now sought to place his +sovereignty on a more solid basis, by holding places of strength, +erecting arsenals, and establishing stores and magazines. With this +view he attacked Tlemsen, about seventy miles to the south-west of +Oran. This town is situated on an eminence at the foot of steep and +lofty mountains. Its walls are remarkable for their thickness and +solidity, and it had frequently withstood sieges.</p> + +<p>The mainspring of Abdel Kader’s strength at this epoch lay in +the Beni Amers and the Hashems. Taking strong detachments from +these tribes, he approached the town. Its population was divided +into two parties, Turks and Kolouglis. The latter (descendants of +Turkish and Arab parents) occupied the citadel. The Arabs were +commanded by Noona, who has been already mentioned. Abdel Kader +summoned the latter to surrender. He refused. The resistance which +he offered was, however, quickly overcome; for while Abdel Kader +assaulted him on one side, the Kolouglis opened fire on him from +the citadel.</p> + +<p>When the town of Tlemsen was won, Abdel Kader treated its +inhabitants with the greatest consideration. He had hoped that the +Kolouglis would acknowledge him. But, secure in their stronghold, +they rejected all his overtures. They consented, however, to +maintain with him a friendly intercourse. Having no artillery +wherewith to reduce them, he accepted the compromise, and +installing one of his lieutenants as governor of the town, returned +to Mascara.</p> + +<p>On the road he received tidings of his father’s death. +Mehi-ed-deen had lived long enough to see his favourite son +embarked in that career which he fondly hoped would be the prelude +to his country’s freedom and independence. The<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_38">[38]</span> bereaved son was deeply afflicted by the +loss of a parent who had from his infancy lavished on him all the +endearments of love and affection, who had always treated him as a +bosom friend and companion, and to whose influence he in truth owed +his high position. But, so far from having time to indulge in the +temporary retirement from public affairs which his grief demanded, +he was barely able to follow his father’s remains to the grave.</p> + +<p>Desmichels had just taken Arzew and Mostaganem. Abdel Kader had +thus not a moment to lose. It was imperative on him to make every +endeavour to nullify this extension of French dominion in the +province of Oran. On the 2nd of August, 1833, he was under the +walls of Mostaganem, and led an assault against it. Desmichels, +leaving the garrison to defend itself, immediately returned to +Oran. He hoped that the presence of Abdel Kader at Mostaganem would +leave him free to carry out successfully an incursion he had long +contemplated.</p> + +<p>On the 5th of August, the day after his arrival in Oran, +consequently, he sent a force of 3,000 cavalry and infantry and +three field-pieces to attack the Douairs and Zmelas, two tribes who +were doing the French irreparable injury by the activity with which +they were enforcing the blockade established by Abdel Kader. On the +6th, at daybreak, the column came upon the Arab encampments. The +artillery opened, the infantry moved on at the double, the cavalry +charged.</p> + +<p>The Arabs, surprised, bewildered and stupefied, made but a +straggling and ineffectual defence. Finally they decamped, leaving +their herds and their flocks, and many women and children, in the +enemy’s hands. Suddenly their retrograde<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_39">[39]</span> movement appeared, to the astonishment of the +French, to be stopped; their numbers, as if by enchantment, to be +increased; their attitude to have become offensive. Abdel Kader had +arrived.</p> + +<p>Divining his adversary’s intention in leaving Mostaganem, he had +ceased to superintend the siege in person, and had rushed to the +point more directly menaced. He came up at the critical moment. It +cost him little to turn the tide of battle. The French infantry +beat a rapid retreat, some in hastily-formed squares, some in +broken file; the cavalry maintained a flying flight; the artillery +alone did good service. Anticipating an easy conquest, the French +had not brought provisions. They were now driven from their spoil. +The pangs of hunger and thirst assailed them. The scorching sun +blazed over their heads. The Arabs presently enveloped them on all +sides.</p> + +<p>“Fire the plains!” cried Abdel Kader. Instantly hundreds of +horsemen galloped off, and lighted the dry herbs and brushwood +extending behind the French rear. The unfortunate soldiery, +retarded in their march by the wounded, whom they nobly refused to +abandon, had to tread on burning cinders and wade through sheets of +flame. Human nature sank beneath the trial. Many flung away their +arms. Some were suffocated; others, in their despair, threw +themselves frantically on the ground, eager to part with their +lives, of which the Arab yataghans soon relieved them.</p> + +<p>Desmichels had been apprised by some fugitives of the disasters +which had befallen the expedition. The whole garrison of Oran was +promptly turned out to rush to the rescue. The troops barely +reached the ground in time to save their comrades from utter +annihilation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>Abdel Kader, in +the full flush of victory, returned without delay to hasten on the +siege of Mostaganem. It is difficult to say whether most admiration +should be bestowed on the boldness of his design, or on the courage +and perseverance which so nearly accomplished it. Abdel Kader had +no siege artillery; he possessed only infantry and cavalry. The +infantry had already made themselves masters of the suburbs, and +were attacking one of the forts close to the sea. A French brig +galled them with its fire. The Arabs stripped, swam off, holding +their muskets over their heads, and attempted to board it. They +were driven off; but the fearless audacity thus displayed shows how +much may be achieved by Arabs when commanded and inspired by a +spirited leader. Abdel Kader had commenced sapping. The sap reached +the foot of the walls. An explosion effected a breach. The order +for a general assault was given. The Arabs, led on and animated by +the voice and example of their Sultan, rolled on like a mighty +wave, and like a wave, dashed and receded. The French, lining the +tops of the wall on either side, poured in such a flanking fire on +the assailants, that after a desperate struggle they were hurled +back in confusion. Abdel Kader, finding his last resource +exhausted, raised the siege and returned to Mascara.</p> + +<p>Though Abdel Kader had already done sufficient to justify and +secure the confidence of his immediate companions in arms, and +(despite the jealousies of certain chiefs) to centre on himself the +hopes and good wishes of all the tribes within the province of +Oran, yet the force of circumstances had compelled some of the +latter, however anxious to rally round his standard, to submit to +the invaders.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>The Douairs and +Zmelas, constantly exposed, by their vicinity, to the incursions of +the French, had suffered losses which the pardonable instincts of +nature had induced them to repair by an apparently friendly +accommodation with an enemy whom they inwardly detested. Strangers +to that spirit of self-abnegation which true patriotism requires, +they had consented to purchase a momentary tranquillity by +accepting French protection. By a treaty with Desmichels they had +established themselves under the French flag, in the valley of +Miserghin, three leagues distant from Oran.</p> + +<p>The lofty policy of Abdel Kader could ill brook such a glaring +violation of the clear and unequivocal injunctions of the Koran. +That sacred volume neither countenanced nor admitted the principle +of expediency. To conquer or to die, sword in hand, for the Faith, +was its uncompromising and inexorable dogma. Zealous interpreter +and dauntless defender of that soul-inspiring mandate in all its +heroic greatness, Abdel Kader made it his imperative duty to uphold +it with ceaseless and untiring vigilance, and to visit its +slightest infraction with unsparing rigour.</p> + +<p>Independently of this superior and all-sufficient consideration, +he well foresaw that if vicinity to the enemy was to be made the +pretext for submission, and hardship and suffering the signal for +treason, the views which he entertained for the working out of the +salvation of his country would speedily be dissolved, his plans for +its regeneration become illusory, and his utmost efforts for their +realisation abortive. He knew that the edifice he was so +laboriously erecting, thus breached at its very base, would crumble +away like a rope of sand.</p> + +<p>He considered, consequently, that to condone, to +overlook,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> or to +excuse such weakness, whatever the plea advanced, would be +tantamount to abandoning the trust which had been solemnly +committed into his hands, and the task which he had sworn to +accomplish. The alternative presented to him might be ungracious, +it might be painful; but, calm and unshaken in the purity of his +conscience, firm and confiding in the goodness of his cause, he +accepted it.</p> + +<p>Whilst maintaining a bold front to the enemy, it might become +incumbent on him so to act as to become an object of terror rather +than of love, to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of his own +countrymen. His severity might be called oppression, his exactions +and punishments might be stigmatised as tyranny. But at whatever +cost to the sufferers, at whatever detriment to his own popularity, +he determined to make it understood and felt throughout the tribes, +as a policy indispensable to the common welfare, that in him alone +was vested the prerogatives of making peace, or signing conditions; +he resolved, therefore, to impress on the minds of all the tribes, +that if any accepted terms from the French on their own account, +their last and heaviest account would be with him. The Douairs and +Zmelas in due time experienced this correcting discipline.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span><a id= +"c04"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1833.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">The</span> enthusiasm excited in +France by the taking of Algiers was of short duration. A revolution +had overthrown the dynasty of the elder branch of the House of +Bourbon, under whose auspices the conquest had been achieved. The +dark cloud of hatred and execration which enveloped the departed +tyranny, threw its ominous shadow over the glories of that +brilliant feat of arms.</p> + +<p>Willingness to abandon the fruits of a triumph obtained under +such circumstances became the prevalent feeling. In the French +Chambers a large party denounced the contemplated occupation of +Algeria as costly and useless. Some suggested that the sea-coast +towns should be held, not so much with views of aggrandisement, as +from a desire of saving the national honour.</p> + +<p>None understood, and few troubled themselves to investigate, the +nature of the country which was the subject of debate. All knew +that Algeria was a nest of pirates, that the governors were +barbarous Turks, and that the government were degraded Arabs. But +what was the condition of the interior, what were the manners, +customs, and social characteristics of the people, what kind of +government would best replace the one which had been overthrown, +what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> system of +administration should be adopted, no one attempted duly to +consider. On all these points the ignorance and indifference was +complete.</p> + +<p>Fluctuating in its plans, and unwilling to release its grasp, +the French ministry, at an early period, reduced its army in +Algeria to 10,000 men. For a long time afterwards, all its measures +were marked by weakness and indecision. In the space of six years, +no less than ten governor-generals were sent over to +experimentalise on new theories of legislation. The thread of +official experience was constantly broken by the arrival of +successive neophytes in the art of governing. Each new actor +appeared on the stage with his peculiar crotchets, which he crudely +endeavoured to carry into execution.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1830, Marshal Clausel, the Governor-General, +proposed to entrust the provinces of Oran and Tittery to princes of +the family of the Bey of Tunis, on the condition of their becoming +vassals of France. He gave Oran, accordingly, to Prince Sidi +Achmet, for an annual tribute of one million francs. The prince, +uncertain as to his reception by the Arabs of that province, +prudently sent before him a deputy, named Heir-ed-deen, to feel the +way. This functionary, on his arrival, found the city nearly +deserted, and the magazines void of provisions.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, he proceeded to feel his ground. He issued a +proclamation to the Arabs, giving them the most flattering +assurances of his future intentions. They were told that the French +had not the slightest desire to interfere with their established +usages and customs; that they would confine themselves to the +occupation of the sea-coast towns; and that<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_45">[45]</span> the tribes in the interior should be +governed by native chiefs of their own selection. Some Arab sheiks, +seduced by these promises, came in, and received pelisses, and +other marks of honour. They returned to their tribes, but to become +objects of ridicule. The plan proved utterly abortive. It neither +awakened hopes, nor dispelled fears. After a few weeks, the agent +of the prince withdrew.</p> + +<p>To the immense advantages which accrued to him from the +fluctuations and failures which embarrassed the councils of the +French government, Abdel Kader was daily adding those solid results +which arose from his own energy and courage. The fruits of the +impulse which he had imparted to his countrymen were becoming more +apparent. Confidence, if not victory, followed everywhere in his +train. The Arab character was developing long-concealed virtues +from its inmost depths. Patience, constancy, perseverance, +concentration of purpose, and a spirit of union, had all been +summoned to the surface under the presiding genius of Abdel +Kader.</p> + +<p>His principal care was to get rid of all the causes likely to +endanger the common weal, or to disturb his general line of action. +The edict which he had issued, forbidding all commercial +transactions with the French, had borne heavily on some of the +tribes, who had long been accustomed to trade with the towns now in +French possession. The fruits of a traffic exercised from +generation to generation, and the enormous profits actually reaped, +were advantages not easily foregone. But, by the influence of +certain Marabouts, who, by the order of Abdel Kader, were moving +constantly amongst them, more patriotic feelings were made to +prevail. The Arabs ceased to frequent the French markets.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span>The system of +blockade enforced by Abdel Kader had a telling effect on the French +garrisons. They depended almost entirely on the Arabs for the +necessaries of life. The sea brought them little or nothing, and +only at rare intervals. Hence the nervous anxiety, leading to acts +of violence, with which, like birds of prey, they scented and +pounced upon their food in the interior. Whilst Desmichels was +revolving in his mind in what manner he could, without lowering his +dignity, bring about negotiations with Abdel Kader, and relieve him +from his pressing wants and necessities, there occurred an event +which opened the door to a transaction.</p> + +<p>Towards the end of October, 1833, an Arab, named Kudoor, of the +Borgia tribe, came to Arzew and sold some cattle. On his departure +he asked the French commanding officer to give him an escort, as he +dreaded the Sultan’s scouts, whom he knew to be on the look-out. An +escort of four horsemen was given him. At the distance of about a +league from the town the escort was attacked by a large force of +Arabs. One man was killed; the three others were taken prisoners +and carried to Mascara.</p> + +<p>Desmichels, only too happy to have a plausible pretext for +writing to Abdel Kader, now addressed him the following +letter:—</p> + +<p>“I do not hesitate to make the first advances to you. My +position, strictly speaking, does not allow me to do so, but +humanity compels me. I reclaim the liberty of those Frenchmen who, +while engaged in escorting an Arab, fell into an ambuscade. I +cannot suppose that you will make their release dependent on +conditions, since, when by the fate of war some of the Zmelas and +Gharabas were not long since brought<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_47">[47]</span> in to me, as prisoners, I at once sent them +back to their tribes, without any stipulation, and treated them, +moreover, with the greatest kindness.</p> + +<p>“If, therefore, you wish to be considered a great man, I hope +you will not be behind me in generosity, and that you will +immediately release the Frenchmen who are now in your power.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader returned the following reply:—</p> + +<p>“I have received the letter, in which you express your hope that +the prisoners to whom you allude will be liberated. I understand +its contents. You tell me that, notwithstanding your position, you +have consented to make me the first advances. It was your duty to +do so, according to the rules of war. Between enemies, each has his +turn: one day the chances are for you, another for me. The mill +turns for both, and always crushing new victims.</p> + +<p>“As for myself, when you have taken prisoners, I never troubled +you with reclamations in their behalf. I was pained, as a man, for +their unhappy fate; but, as a Mussulman, I looked upon their death, +if it occurred, as a new life. You tell me that your Frenchmen were +employed to protect an Arab. That is no reason with me. Protectors +and protected were alike my enemies; and all Arabs who are found +with you are bad believers, ignorant of their duty.</p> + +<p>“You boast that you gratuitously liberated some of the Gharabas +and Zmelas. That is true. But you surprised men who were living +under your protection, and who were actually supplying your own +markets. Your troops robbed them of all they had. If, instead of +falling on those who were doing you a service, you had advanced +beyond your lines; if you<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_48">[48]</span> had attacked men who were anxiously waiting +for you, such as the Beni Amers and the Hashems, then you might, +with justice, talk of your generosity, had you taken prisoners from +them, and set them free.</p> + +<p>“Then you would have deserved the praises you claim for yourself +for having pillaged the Zmelas, and setting about the report that I +had fallen into your hands. When you march two days beyond the +walls of Oran I hope we shall behold each other; and then it will +be seen which of us will remain master of the field.”</p> + +<p>This haughty challenge would, under other circumstances, have +aroused in the breast of the French general the loftiest feelings +of chivalry. The drums would have been beat, the trumpets sounded, +the standards fluttered, and the Arab champion would have been +swiftly summoned to the test. Desmichels retorted by again +attacking and plundering the Douairs and Zmelas. Abdel Kader was +amongst the Beni Amers when he heard of the incursion.</p> + +<p>He was instantly at the head of 5,000 cavalry, and rushed to the +rescue. With slackened reins and thundering hoofs, the Arab horse +traversed a distance of fifty miles in less than three hours. Not +more than one-half of the men, on his arrival, were fit for duty. +But with these troops Abdel Kader charged. The French, utterly +confounded by this unexpected apparition, hastily retreated, +abandoning the women and children, whom they had taken with them, +as hostages. Fresh troops come up to their relief, with more pieces +of artillery; but, despite the galling fire to which he was +exposed, Abdel Kader followed up the enemy, and hovered round them, +to the very outskirts of Oran.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>On his return to +the Arab encampment he ordered the Douairs and Zmelas to prepare +for immediate departure from a spot where temptations to transgress +his edict were constantly held out to them, and where they were as +continually exposed to vile and cruel assaults. He marched them +off, with all their flocks and herds, and located them on a large +plain behind Tlemsen.</p> + +<p>Desmichels, paralysed by the boldness and ubiquity of his +redoubtable foe, and finding his resources failing, his supplies +cut off, and famine ready to swoop down on his men, saw no +alternative before him but evacuation or peace. In this dire +necessity he thus appealed to Abdel Kader:—</p> + +<p>“You will never find me deaf to any sentiments of generosity, +and if it would be convenient to you to grant me an interview, I am +quite ready to consent, in the hope that we may be able, by the +most sacred and solemn treaties, to stop the effusion of blood +between two peoples destined by Providence to live under the same +dominion.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader seeing his adversary in the attitude of a suppliant, +affected indifference. He left the letter unanswered. At the same +time he employed a Jew, named Mordecai Amar, his agent at Oran, to +pacify the French general with excuses, if any complaint were made +as to his silence, and to suggest the advisability of more explicit +and categorical propositions. After a month had transpired, +Desmichels penned a third dispatch:—</p> + +<p>“Not having received any answer to the letter I lately wrote to +you, I prefer supposing that it has never reached you, to imagining +that you have not chosen to give it your attention.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>The general +terminated his reasonings by imploring for peace as follows:—“If +you wish to maintain the exalted position to which circumstances +have raised you, in my opinion you could not do better than accept +my invitation, in order that the tribes may devote themselves to +the cultivation of their lands, and enjoy the fruits and the +blessings of peace, under the shadow of treaties binding us firmly +together.”</p> + +<p>The young and victorious Sultan, with this document in his hand, +could now show his subjects that the enemy had been the first to +crave for a suspension of hostilities. There was no occasion for +any further delay, and he sent the following answer:—</p> + +<p>“I have received your letter, and fully understand its contents. +It gives me great satisfaction to find that your sentiments agree +with mine. I feel quite assured of your loyal intentions; and you +may feel assured that any engagements into which we may enter shall +be faithfully observed on my part. I send you two superior officers +of my army—Miloud ibn Arasch and Ould Mahmoud. They will confer, +outside Oran, with Mordecai Amar, and will make known to him any +proposition. If you accept them, you can send him on to me, and +then we will draw up a treaty, which shall obliterate the hatred +and enmity now severing us from each other, and replace them by an +indissoluble friendship. You may count upon me, for I have never +been unfaithful to my word.”</p> + +<p>The proposed interview took place February 4, 1834. The Jew Amar +was accompanied by the whole of the French staff. A long discussion +ensued on various propositions made by Desmichels. The Sultan’s +agent, Ibn Arasch, then left,<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_51">[51]</span> saying he would report what had passed to his +master, and return. He took with him a paper containing a draft of +the propositions, but without the general’s signature.</p> + +<p>On the 25th, Ibn Arasch returned to Oran, bearing this draft, +approved and sealed by Abdel Kader, with another paper, containing +the propositions of Abdel Kader. He was instructed not to deliver +the former until the latter had been signed and sealed by +Desmichels. Abdel Kader conceived that these documents, mutually +exchanged, would constitute the Treaty. Their substance was as +follows:—</p> + +<p class="center space-above15 space-below1"><span class= +"sc">Conditions of General Desmichels.</span> +</p> + +<p>“1. Hostilities shall cease between the French and the Arabs +from this day.</p> + +<p>“2. The religion and usages of the Mussulmans shall be +respected.</p> + +<p>“3. French prisoners shall be given up.</p> + +<p>“4. The markets shall be free.</p> + +<p>“5. Every French deserter shall be given up by the Arabs.</p> + +<p>“6. Every Christian travelling in the interior shall be +furnished with a passport sealed with the seal of Abdel Kader’s +consul, and that of the General.”</p> + +<p class="center space-above15 space-below1"><span class= +"sc">Conditions of the Sultan Abdel Kader.</span> +</p> + +<p>“1. The Arabs shall be at liberty to buy and sell powder, arms, +sulphur; in a word, everything necessary for war.</p> + +<p>“2. The commerce of the port of Arzew shall be under the +jurisdiction of the Prince of the Faithful. No cargoes shall be +shipped except in that port. Mostaganem and Oran<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> shall merely receive such +articles of merchandise as are necessary for the wants of their +inhabitants. To this there shall be no opposition. Those who wish +to ship goods must repair to Arzew.</p> + +<p>“3. The General shall give us up all deserters in chains. He +shall not harbour criminals. The general commanding at Algiers +shall have no power over Arabs who may come to him with the consent +of their chiefs.</p> + +<p>“4. No Mussulman shall be prevented returning home when he +wishes.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">To the paper containing these conditions +of Abdel Kader, Desmichels, who dreaded nothing so much as the +breaking off of the negotiation, at once affixed his seal and +signature. The former naturally thought that, by virtue of the 2nd +Article, he had secured a monopoly of commerce.</p> + +<p>On the 26th February, 1834, Desmichels proposed to Ibn Arasch, +that a homogeneous treaty should be drawn up, embodying the +substance of both documents, but stating the French conditions more +at large. Ibn Arasch made no difficulty, never conceiving for a +moment that such a document could be intended to abrogate the +conditions already conceded to his master, in the paper which had +just been signed and sealed by the general. Hence arose the “Treaty +of Desmichels,” which afterwards gave rise to so many difficulties +and complications.</p> + +<p class="center space-above15 space-below1"><span class= +"sc">Treaty of General Desmichels</span>, <em>February</em> 26, +1834.</p> + +<p>“The General commanding the French troops in the town of Oran, +and the Prince of the Faithful, Sidi-il-Hadj Abdel<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> Kader-ibn-Mehi-ed-deen, have +decided on the following conditions:—</p> + +<p>“Art. 1.—Hostilities shall cease between the French and the +Arabs from this day. The General commanding the French troops and +the Emir Abdel Kader will neglect nothing to maintain that union +and friendship which ought to exist between two peoples, destined +by God to live under the same dominion. To this end, +representatives on the part of the Emir shall reside at Oran, +Mostaganem, and Arzew; and, to prevent collisions between the +French and the Arabs, French officers shall reside at Mascara.</p> + +<p>“Art. 2.—The religion and usages of the Arabs shall be +respected.</p> + +<p>“Art. 3.—All prisoners shall be immediately given up, both on +one side and the other.</p> + +<p>“Art. 4.—Freedom of commerce shall be complete and entire.</p> + +<p>“Art. 5.—Military men belonging to the French army, who desert +their colours, shall be brought back by the Arabs. In like manner, +all Arab malefactors, who, to avoid punishment, fly from their +tribes and seek refuge with the French, shall be immediately seized +and delivered over to the Emir’s representative, in the three +maritime towns occupied by the French.</p> + +<p>“Art. 6.—Every European, having occasion to travel in the +interior, shall be furnished with a passport countersigned by the +representatives of the Emir, and approved by the General in +command, in order that they may find assistance and protection +throughout the province.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">These conditions, written in parallel +columns of Arab and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> +French, were signed and sealed by both parties. Nothing is said in +this treaty of a monopoly of commerce. But Abdel Kader had his +bond, and was content. Desmichels, proud of what he considered a +diplomatic triumph, hastened to send the grateful tidings of a +peace to the French ministry, and allowed himself to indulge in the +following strain:—</p> + +<p>“I have to announce to you the <em>submission</em> of the +province of Oran, the most considerable and warlike of the regency. +This great event is the result of the advantages which have been +obtained by the troops of my division.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader might well repose on his laurels. He had compelled +his enemy to sue for peace; he had made his own terms; he paid no +tribute; his territory was not limited; the French general had +acknowledged his independence by offering him the power to appoint +and receive consuls. The French were to load at one port alone, and +were to submit to his tariff.</p> + +<p>In virtue of the monopoly secured to him by his own terms, Abdel +Kader now issued orders, prohibiting the Arabs from selling corn, +or barley, or agricultural produce, of any kind whatever, to +Christians, whether native or foreign. His agents were declared to +be the sole authorised buyers and sellers, and by them the prices +in the markets were to be fixed.</p> + +<p>The French merchants at Arzew complained loudly to Desmichels of +the restriction. Abdel Kader appealed to his bond. Desmichels +affected to ignore it. He adhered to his homogeneous treaty, in +which commerce was declared free. Abdel Kader agreed to the test, +but contended that though the market <em>places</em> (or +<em>sook</em>) were free, he had the sole right of supplying +them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>One of the French +merchants, acting upon the view of the question, as put forward by +the French general, bought a large quantity of corn and barley from +an Arab of the tribe of Hamian. The agent of Abdel Kader went over +and seized it. The merchant complained to the French local +authorities, but he was told that no interference could be +tolerated with the regulations of the Emir.</p> + +<p>Desmichels, embarrassed with fresh complaints, and pressed for +explanation by General Voirol, the governor-general, to whom all +this misunderstanding was utterly incomprehensible, adopted a +middle course. He declared that the authorisation given to the Emir +to make a monopoly of grain, extended only to the grain raised on +his own private property. Abdel Kader ridiculed the subterfuge. He +knew nothing of the exclusive interpretation which Desmichels chose +to put upon his treaty; he only knew that he had the General’s seal +and signature to a document granting him a monopoly; and this +monopoly he was determined to enact. The French were not in a +position to dispute his verdict; and he carried his point.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, free at length from external molestation, devoted +his earnest attention to the internal affairs of his kingdom. +Difficulties and trials were yet before him. Jealousy of his +successes on the part of some, envy at the eminence he had attained +on the part of others, insinuations malevolently propagated by his +rivals, and readily entertained by the fanatical party, that he had +betrayed the sacred cause by making peace with the infidels—all +combined, as disturbing elements, to affect, more or less, the +stability of his government.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>But his retort was +ready. To the taunting demand, “Where is now the leader of the +Djehad—where the lofty tone which breathed nothing but battle and +defiance, and invoked death rather than submission?” he replied by +calmly pointing to the French garrisons, confined to the walls on +which their cannon was planted; to the plains freed from infidel +marauders; to the cities unmolested by Frank invaders; and, more +than all, to a treaty, dictated at his sword’s point, which now, +for the first time in the lapse of ages, gave good warranty for +hopes of Arab freedom, and which promised to be the basis of Arab +independence.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span><a id= +"c05"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1834.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Abdel Kader</span> now entered on +the task of organisation. He trusted but little to the pacific +professions of the French, and looked on the present cessation of +hostilities merely as an armed truce. He resolved, consequently, to +make use of the breathing time thus afforded, in maturing his +plans, husbanding his resources, and preparing for future battles. +Declaring the Djehad to be only suspended, not abandoned, he issued +his usual edict for the collection of the war-tribute, consisting +of the <em>ashur</em>, or tenth of all agricultural produce, and +the <em>zekka</em>, or tax on cattle.</p> + +<p>To his astonishment, the most faithful of all his tribes, his +most zealous adherents, the very men who had been the guardians and +supporters of his nascent power, and by whose aid he had been +enabled to inflict his most deadly blows, refused obedience. The +Beni Amers asserted that cessation of impost was, in their eyes, +the legitimate consequence of cessation of war.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader hesitated not a moment. The Beni Amers must be +attacked. Writing to Mustapha-ibn-Ismail at Tlemsen, he ordered him +to prepare the Douairs and Zmelas for instant action. That old and +wily leader of the Turkish <em>Maghzen</em>, desiring nothing +better than to have an<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_58">[58]</span> opportunity of falling on his old and mortal +enemies, and rejoicing in the prospect of plunder, joyfully +accepted the summons, and boastfully enlarged on the loyalty of his +tribes. An unexpected incident turned the tide of events.</p> + +<p>As Abdel Kader was preaching one Friday, as was his wont, in the +mosque of Mascara, his eye lighted on some of the Beni Amer Sheiks. +Suddenly turning the stream of his eloquence, he thus apostrophised +them:—“Were not you, O Beni Amers, the first to call me to the post +I now hold? Were not you the first to implore me to establish a +regular government, which should inspire the good with confidence, +and the wicked with terror?</p> + +<p>“Did you not solemnly pledge your lives, your properties, and +all that you held most dear and sacred, to assist and strengthen me +in the arduous task? And will you be the first to abandon the +common cause, the first, by your example, to countenance and +encourage conspiracies against the very government you invoked? How +can any government be carried on without taxes, how maintained +without the cordial union and support of all?</p> + +<p>“Think you that the smallest coin of the tribute which I demand, +will ever be appropriated to my personal or family expenses? You +all know that my paternal property suffices for my own needs. What +I demand is what the law of the Prophet renders it imperative on +you, as good Mussulmans, to give; and in my hands, I solemnly +swear, it will be held as a sacred trust, for the triumph of the +faith!”</p> + +<p>Moved by this frank appeal, the Beni Amer Sheiks demanded a +conference. The throng pressed around them. All ranks and ages +joined their entreaties to effect an accommodation.<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> Thus surrounded, the Sheiks +advanced towards their young Sultan, and kissed his hand. In the +name of their tribe, they promised to pay the tribute. Orders were +forthwith despatched to Mustapha to suspend his march on the Beni +Amers.</p> + +<p>Three days afterwards, a horseman came riding in at full speed, +to say that Mustapha had, notwithstanding, commenced an attack. +Abdel Kader, hastily gathering together such horsemen as were +within reach, galloped off to the scene of action.</p> + +<p>On arriving, he sent word to Mustapha to withdraw. On his +refusal to obey the order, Abdel Kader advanced to charge his +recalcitrant chief. A few only of the Beni Amers followed. After a +desperate skirmish, Abdel Kader had the mortification to see his +men dispersed, and flying before superior numbers. A handful of men +alone remained to rally round his person. Animated by the example +of their chief, they fought with desperation. Nearly all were +killed, or dismounted. At last, after performing prodigies of +valour, Abdel Kader, his burnous riddled with bullets, and his +horse covered with wounds, cut his way through the hostile ranks +which closed him in, and galloped back to Mascara. He reached it +late at night—alone.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader defeated by the Arabs! The news spread like +wildfire. In an instant all slumbering rivalries were aroused. +Sidi-il-Aribi raised the standard of revolt. El Gomari, and the +Beni Engad, prepared to join Sidi Hamadi, the Governor of Tlemsen, +who entered into correspondence with Mustapha.</p> + +<p>The tidings of these defections, so far from oppressing the soul +of Abdel Kader with despondency, only nerved him<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> with fresh vigour. The Hashem +Gharabas, the Mejahers, the Beni Abbas, were staunch. The Beni +Amers had confirmed the adhesion given in by their Sheiks, at +Mascara. He could wield a force of 15,000 cavalry. With a large +proportion of these he at once took the field.</p> + +<p>Mustapha had led off the Douairs and Zmelas to their old +campaigning ground near Oran, in the hopes of propitiating the +French, and getting their support. To his disgust, he was warned by +the latter of the consequences which would ensue if he persisted in +rebelling against Abdel Kader, the ally of France.</p> + +<p>Desmichels had found out by bitter experience, the impossibility +of conquering the province of Oran, with such forces as his +government had placed at his disposal. The plan of raising up a +native power to supply this deficiency, and to assist in extending +the French dominions, either as vassals or allies, seemed to him to +afford the easiest method for escaping from a serious dilemma. He +was dazzled by the great and commanding qualities displayed by +Abdel Kader, and always took a pleasure in extolling his heroism, +his prowess, and even his generalship. He seemed almost to envy and +covet his glory.</p> + +<p>Desmichels was known to have frequently declared that he would +make the young Arab Emir all powerful, from the frontiers of +Morocco to the frontiers of Tunis. No doubt this declaration was +made with the mental reserve that the gallant chief should only be +so as the vassal of France. Abdel Kader, fully understanding the +profitable tendency to himself of this exuberant admiration, cared +not to dispel an illusion which marvellously promoted his own +designs. He was secretly bent, however, on preserving a +perfectly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> independent +position, and on confining his allies to their counting-houses on +the sea-coast.</p> + +<p>Mustapha having been thus kept in check, Abdel Kader fell with +his whole force upon Sidi-il-Aribi, enveloped him in a crushing +defeat, and took him prisoner. At the same time he inflicted on the +rebellious tribes a signal chastisement, and collected all the +arrears of tribute. Flushed by this victory, he now sought out +Mustapha. He met him on the plains of Mahraz, July 13, 1834. The +battle between the hostile chiefs raged for some hours with +alternate success. At last, both sides, worn out with fatigue, and +fainting with the heat, drew breath.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader seized the moment to send some Marabouts through the +enemy’s ranks, to offer terms. Mustapha, fearing an attack from the +French, who had advanced as far as the camp of Miserghin, and were +in observation, was nothing loath to listen to any propositions +which might relieve him from his perilous situation. Though +declining a personal meeting with Abdel Kader, he sent him his +charger in token of reconciliation.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader now marched upon Tlemsen. His appearance before that +town, with all the prestige of victory, at once annihilated the +intrigues of which that place had been the focus. His faithless +lieutenant, Sidi Hamadi, was seized and imprisoned, but afterwards +generously pardoned, although not allowed to retain his post. This +was conferred on Noona, who after his late defeat had fled to +Morocco, and had returned, bearing letters of recommendation from +the Moorish Sultan.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader entered Mascara in triumph. Two events<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> had occurred during his absence, +which materially aided him. El Gomari, chief of the Beni Engad, had +been tried before a tribunal, and shot; and Sidi-il-Aribi had died +in prison. Freed from these rivals, and unimpeded by internal +faction, he was again at liberty to carry out his measures of +general administration.</p> + +<p>The province of Oran was divided into two great districts, and +placed under khalifas, or lieutenants. That of the east, subdivided +into seven agalicks, and having Mascara as the seat of government, +was placed under the command of the Sultan’s brother-in-law, +Mustapha-ibn-Tamy. That of the west, with Tlemsen for its capital, +was entrusted to Bou Hamadi. Every tribe was held responsible for +the peace and good order of its locality. Weekly reports were +required, as to the amount of cattle, beasts of burden, and horses +fit for service in each agalick. A Cadi, appointed by the Sultan, +and paid out of the public treasury, was sent to each of the +tribes, to administer justice.</p> + +<p>A body of regulars was raised, consisting both of cavalry and +infantry. The latter were drilled and instructed by French +non-commissioned officers, who had been allowed to offer their +services for that purpose. Cannon-foundries, powder-mills, and +manufactories of small arms, were established and superintended by +European artisans. The Arabs wondered at these strange and novel +proceedings. They felt that a new order of things had suddenly +fallen on them.</p> + +<p>This, together with the vigilance with which crimes were +detected, and the certainty and severity of its punishment, soon +had its effect on the community. The entire province, which +eighteen months previously had been a prey to every<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> kind of anarchy and confusion, +now enjoyed the most thorough tranquillity. So complete was the +feeling of security which existed in all parts, that, to use the +favourite Arab illustration of the perfection of good government, +“A girl might have travelled the length and breadth of the land +with a casket of diamonds on her head, without fear of +molestation.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader’s fame had now spread through Algeria. It was +generally felt, that a man had arisen who had not only shown +himself capable of preserving order within, but who, by his skill +and daring, had succeeded in imposing conditions on the infidels +from without. The eyes of all the well-disposed naturally turned +towards one who had achieved such signal results.</p> + +<p>The inhabitants of Medea and Miliana, the principal towns in the +province of Tittery, sent deputations to Abdel Kader, begging him +to do for their province what he had already done for the province +of Oran. Had he been free to act on his own inspirations, +forty-eight hours would not have elapsed before he had been on the +march in compliance with their request. The invitation was not only +flattering to his pride, as showing the influence his name +exercised over parties utterly unknown to him, but offered—what in +his eyes was its strongest inducement—a further opening for the +prosecution of the great object he had in view, the establishment +of a widely-extended Arab nationality.</p> + +<p>The Treaty of Desmichels in no way precluded him from entering +Tittery; for that treaty had not confined him within any prescribed +limits. Still he was not disposed to undertake the enterprise +without first ascertaining how such a<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_64">[64]</span> step would be viewed by the French +authorities. Contenting himself, therefore, for the present, with +replying to the deputations, that he required time to consider +their demands, he proceeded to fathom the thoughts of Count +D’Erlon, the new Governor-General, on the momentous topic. The +recent arrival of that personage gave him an opportunity of +broaching the delicate question without appearing to make it a +special subject of negotiation.</p> + +<p>Under the garb of a letter of felicitation to the general on his +appointment, the following feeler was adroitly put forward:—“The +Kaid, Miloud ibn Arasch, will give you every particular about us. I +have instructed him to ascertain your views as to the best manner +of establishing tranquillity in all the districts, whether maritime +or in the interior, along the coasts between Algiers and Oran, and +in the plains and the mountains, from Tlemsen and Mascara, <em>up +to Medea and Miliana</em>.”</p> + +<p>Count D’Erlon had come to assume the arduous and responsible +duties which now devolved upon him, without any clear instructions, +and without any additional force. The French government, still +uncertain as to its European relations, had neither money nor +troops to spare for the prosecution of an Algerian war on a great +scale. A vague idea possessed it that Abdel Kader was the ladder by +which the French were to scale the heights of the Atlas. To keep on +good terms with this influential chief was, consequently, at this +period, a cardinal point of French policy.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the reply of Count D’Erlon to Abdel Kader consisted +of vague generalities, and Was altogether couched in such terms, +that the latter had every ground to believe no<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_65">[65]</span> measures would be taken to oppose his +proposed step if he only had the boldness to take it. Still he felt +the necessity of having his actual rights confirmed by the new +Governor-General before assuming new ones; and to this end he sent +the document containing his own terms, which had been duly signed +and sealed by Desmichels, as above related, to the Count, for his +perusal.</p> + +<p>D’Erlon, to whom even the existence of such a document was +unknown, as it had never been notified to the French Government, +was thunder-struck. Here was a French general, who had taken upon +himself to sign a secret treaty, giving solid and exclusive +advantages to an enemy whose hostility had not been disarmed, and +whose friendship was doubtful. His representations to the French +ministry relative to this extraordinary procedure were such, that +they were speedily followed by the recall of Desmichels from +Oran.</p> + +<p>At the same time he thus gave his opinion to Abdel Kader on the +subject:—“I would wish you to observe, that General Desmichels had +no power or jurisdiction, except in the province of Oran, and that +he could in nowise make any stipulations as regards any other part +of the regency. Even by giving the widest interpretation to the +Treaty made between you and him, in February, 1834, you can have no +pretensions beyond the province of Oran, limited as it has been by +the sovereign power of France.</p> + +<p>“My desire for the present is, that you should not cross the +lower Cheliff, towards the east. If you govern the territory you +now possess according to Mohammedan laws, and with strict justice, +we shall be friends; but we cannot allow you to enter the province +of Tittery. What passes there is<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_66">[66]</span> my concern. I am not at war with its +inhabitants; I have no fixed project of making establishments at +Blidah and Bouffarick, but whenever I think it for the interest of +France to do so, I shall allow no one to embarrass me.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader paused for the present before such an interdict. +Besides, disturbances amongst the Flittas, in the valley of the +Cheliff, excited against him by the sons of Sidi-il-Aribi, called +for his immediate presence in that direction.</p> + +<p>While engaged in appeasing these troubles, he was surprised by +the information that a certain Hadj Mousa, a shereef from the +Sahara, had entered Medea, and had been warmly received by a large +portion of the population. After waiting for a time to see what +steps would be taken by the French Governor-General, and finding +that no opposition to the assumptions of this adventurer was +offered on the part of Count D’Erlon, Abdel Kader determined to +exercise full liberty of action. If a shereef from the desert might +snatch a province, why not he? Fortune is the friend of the bold, +and the world is for him who will seize it. He dashed across the +Cheliff, and marched on Medea, followed by all the cavalry +contingents of Oran, two battalions of regular infantry, and four +pieces of cannon. Cæsar had crossed the Rubicon.</p> + +<p>Hadj Mousa came out to meet him, prophesying that God would give +him the victory, and that the cannon of Abdel Kader would not go +off. Abdel Kader replied that if, indeed, his cannon did not go +off, he would acknowledge a divine interposition, and withdraw. The +battle was gained, and the prophet and pretender was completely +defeated. Abdel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> Kader +took possession, amidst general exultation, of the province of +Tittery, and appointed Khalifas at Medea and Miliana.</p> + +<p>General Trezel, who had replaced Desmichels at Oran, proposed to +reply to this movement of Abdel Kader by seizing Mascara. D’Erlon +temporised. He was neither authorised nor prepared to commence +hostilities. He even condescended to treat with Abdel Kader in the +very town he had occupied in direct violation of his prohibition. +Captain St. Hippolyte was sent to him, bearer of the following +draft of a treaty:—</p> + +<p>1. Acknowledgment of the sovereignty of France.</p> + +<p>2. Precise definition of the power of the Emir, which is to be +exercised in the province of Oran alone, bounded on the east by the +Cheliff, from its mouth to its confluence with the Wady Riou, and +by the river of that name up to Godjidah.</p> + +<p>3. Right of French and all Europeans to travel in the province +of Oran.</p> + +<p>4. Entire freedom of commerce in the interior.</p> + +<p>5. Engagement on the part of the Emir not to export, except in +ports occupied by the French.</p> + +<p>6. Tribute to be paid by Abdel Kader, and hostages to be given +by him. The tribute to be considered a mark of his acknowledgment +of French sovereignty.</p> + +<p>A treaty which thus abrogated, by a stroke of the pen, all the +rights and privileges his own good sword had obtained, might +apparently have been regarded by Abdel Kader as an insult or a +defiance. But, in reality, it was the result of his own diplomacy. +He had learned to appreciate the value and importance of the power +to make treaties. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> +knew that this power implied an independent position, whether for +proposing or accepting terms. Already a French general had, by +treaty, acknowledged and confirmed his right to an independent +sway, had saluted him as Emir, and Prince of the Faithful, or +Sultan.</p> + +<p>Negotiations once opened with the new Governor-General might +lead to similar concessions. What the nature of the propositions, +presented to him in the first instance, might be, was to him a +matter of supreme indifference. What he wanted, and what he +earnestly urged his agent at Algiers to obtain from D’Erlon, was a +treaty. He trusted to the chapter of accidents to mould any fresh +negotiation to his own wishes.</p> + +<p>The employment of well-paid spies introduced him into the most +secret councils of the French authorities. Able and crafty agents, +accredited to the responsible heads of the French administration, +in its various centres of action, were made the means of promoting +his views and advancing his interests. These agents were instructed +to gain the confidence of all important personages; to be always +about them on some pretence or other; to be constantly extolling +their master’s merits; and enlarging on his talents for +administration; to speak loudly of his extraordinary influence in +the country; and, finally, to insinuate the immense advantages +which would accrue to France by having such a pioneer in the path +of conquest.</p> + +<p>A Jew, of the name of Durand, had performed all these functions, +at Algiers, with rare ability. He had easily contrived to get the +ear of D’Erlon. He was consulted by him in all affairs of moment +connected with the internal government<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_69">[69]</span> of the regency. He had gradually impressed +him with a favourable opinion of his master; and he succeeded, +finally, in drawing him into the current of credulous expectation +with regard to the conduct of Abdel Kader, which had carried away +more than one of his predecessors. In the meantime, he had wormed +out of him the foregoing treaty, and was commissioned to accompany +the bearer of it to Medea.</p> + +<p>There, though the treaty met with very little ceremony or +attention, the bearer of the treaty received the most striking +marks of friendship and hospitality. A grand review was held; and +the French envoy gazed with dubious admiration on the nucleus of an +Arab army. He was invited to accompany the Sultan on a tour of +inspection about to be made through the provinces of Tittery and +Oran. The offer was accepted; and Captain St. Hippolyte and the Jew +Durand figured conspicuously in the royal suite.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader made the most of his time. Purposely going into +those districts which had recently shown symptoms of disaffection, +or were wavering in their allegiance to him, he secretly enjoyed +the impression made on the tribes by the French uniform. What, they +thought, must be the power of a chief who had made the infidels his +vassals, and who could, no doubt, at any moment summon their armies +to march to the support of his throne? Any resistance to such a +potentate would be mere madness. Unqualified submission was their +best and only alternative.</p> + +<p>On reaching Mascara, fresh tokens of politeness and cordiality +awaited the distinguished guests. On the third day after their +arrival, Abdel Kader put his own treaty into their hands. It was to +this effect:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>1. The provinces +which are under the dominion of the Prince of the Faithful, and +which are in submission, shall remain dependent on him. In like +manner the country which the Governor-General actually holds shall +remain under his dominion.</p> + +<p>2. Whenever the Emir shall think fit to appoint or to remove the +Governors of Medea and Miliana, he will inform the +Governor-General, that he may take note of the fact; and also make +those functionaries the medium of any dispatch or communication he +may have to convey to him.</p> + +<p>3. Freedom of commerce for all. The Arabs shall be respected in +the markets by the French, and the French by the Arabs, in all the +provinces under the dominion of the Emir.</p> + +<p>4. The Prince of the Faithful shall buy at Algiers, through his +agent, everything he requires in the shape of mortars, muskets, +powder, and sulphur.</p> + +<p>5. The Emir shall give up to the French all deserters; and the +Governor-General will act similarly towards the Emir.</p> + +<p>6. If the Emir projects a tour towards Constantine or elsewhere, +he will inform the Governor-General of his intention and of his +motive for doing so.</p> + +<p>A treaty so ridiculously contrasting with the one sent for his +acceptance by the French Governor-General, and which, so far from +limiting his power, proposed to allow him to leap at one bound, +from the gates of Oran to those of Constantine, and to make the +French themselves the complaisant approvers of this encroachment, +was certainly one which the Prince of the Faithful never expected +to see accepted.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>Perfectly +comprehending, however, the exaggerated importance attached to his +friendship and support by the French Government, and relying on the +efficacy of those secret influences he had hitherto so successfully +employed, Abdel Kader was not without hopes that by a strenuous and +even overstrained assumption of right, and a bold avowal of design, +dimly suggestive of reserved strength, he might at all events +procure such a treaty as should enhance the advantages he actually +possessed, strengthen his position, enlarge his sphere of action, +and still further dispel the clouds which yet obscured the +brilliant vista of glory lying before him.</p> + +<p>Up to this time he had succeeded in almost all he had +undertaken. His faith in his mission, always strong and unshaken, +now possessed his mind with the strength of a religious conviction. +By inspiring all around him with a like confidence and belief, this +faith became to him an instrument of power. His past success was +accepted as a sure omen of future triumphs. A French officer, about +this time, advised him, out of honest sympathy and regard, not to +be presumptuously confident. “What!” replied Abdel Kader, “it is +but three years since I was simply one of my father’s five sons, +and obliged to mount and equip myself from the enemy’s spoils. You +see what I am now; and you tell me not to have confidence in +myself!”</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span><a id= +"c06"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1835.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Count D’Erlon</span> visited Oran +in the month of June, 1835. Abdel Kader wrote to compliment him on +his arrival, and anxiously awaited overtures. The Governor-General +was desirous of inviting him to a personal interview. Trezel firmly +and successfully pointed out the impolicy of such a step. He +maintained that, so far from Abdel Kader being willing to see, much +more to aid in, the extension of French dominion in Algeria, he +was, in fact, adroitly making the French Government the instrument +for his own exaltation, and that to enter into closer relations +with him would be tantamount to an approval of his late +conduct.</p> + +<p>Such, indeed, was the indignation of that uncompromising soldier +at the facility with which Abdel Kader was achieving his own ends +at the expense, as he conceived, of French honour, and to the great +scandal of French common sense and discrimination, that he had more +than once been tempted to march against him on his own +responsibility. D’Erlon, on the contrary, strongly impressed by +this time with the importance and necessity of Abdel Kader’s +support, would not hear of any steps being taken that might +possibly lead to a rupture; and on returning to Algiers, ordered +Trezel carefully to cultivate his friendship and alliance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>Such, however, in +a short time, became the state of affairs in the province of Oran, +that Trezel had only before him the choice of two courses—either to +submit to Abdel Kader’s dictation, and await his sovereign pleasure +in all things connected with the interior, or to place himself in +such a position as to be enabled to act independently.</p> + +<p>The Douairs and Zmelas had resumed a friendly intercourse with +the French. Abdel Kader threatened to take them back forcibly to +Tlemsen. Those tribes, rather than abandon their crops and be +deprived of a profitable traffic, at once demanded French +protection. Trezel granted their request; and, hearing that Abdel +Kader’s officers were engaged in harassing them with forcible +measures—seizing their cattle and carrying off some of their +Sheiks—he sent a brigade to their camping ground near Miserghin. On +the 16th June, 1835, a treaty, containing eleven articles, was +signed by both parties, in which the Douairs and Zmelas were +declared French subjects.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was still desirous to avert hostilities, and even so +anxious to avoid any pretext which might lead to them, that he had +issued strict orders that no Arab was, under any circumstances, to +fire on a Frenchman except in self-defence. He therefore simply +wrote to Trezel, strongly protesting against a step which he looked +on as a glaring infraction of the treaty of Desmichels, by which +the French engaged not to harbour refugees from the tribes, and to +send back Arab deserters.</p> + +<p>Trezel answered him that he was quite willing to abide by that +treaty; but argued that the word “deserter” applied only to +individuals, and could never have been intended to<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> extend to whole tribes who +preferred French rule to his. Viewing the sense of the treaty in +that light, he said, he could never deprive the Douairs and Zmelas +of the rights they had obtained.</p> + +<p>This notification drew from Abdel Kader the following +letter:—</p> + +<p>“You know the conditions which Desmichels made with me before +you came to Oran, and to which you yourself promised to adhere. By +those conditions, every Arab who commits a misdemeanour or crime, +and flies to you for refuge and protection, is to be sent back to +me, even when it is a question of more than one individual. How +much stronger becomes my claim on this point, when it is a question +of whole tribes deserting and going over to you!</p> + +<p>“The Douairs and Zmelas are my subjects; and according to our +law, I have a right to do with them as I please. If you withdraw +your protection from them, and let them obey me, as heretofore, it +is well. If, on the contrary, you persist in breaking your +engagements, recall at once your consul from Mascara; for even +should the Douairs and Zmelas enter within the walls of Oran, I +will not withdraw my hand from them until they repent and atone for +their fault. Moreover, my religion prohibits me from allowing a +Mussulman to be under the dominion of a Christian. See what suits +you best; otherwise the God of Battles must decide between us.”</p> + +<p>Trezel could only reply to such a tone by the sound of cannon. +Indeed, hostilities had, in some degree, already begun. A few days +previously, the French cavalry, being short of forage, had cut down +the crops of the Hashem<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_75">[75]</span> Gharabas. Abdel Kader, on hearing of this +irruption on his family tribe, had moved up 2,000 horse and 800 +foot to their vicinity, near the river Sig. Trezel now determined +to attack this force before it assumed any greater development. On +the 26th of June, 1835, he led out a column for that purpose, +consisting of 5,000 infantry, a regiment of Chasseurs d’Afrique, 4 +mountain pieces, and 20 waggons for provisions, besides the +ordinary ambulance.</p> + +<p>Shortly after entering the wood of Muley Ismail, the leading +companies opened fire on what they conceived to be a straggling +party of the Arabs. The fire was vigorously returned. Presently +cavalry appeared. It was Abdel Kader’s advanced guard, coming from +the Sig. In a few minutes the French were furiously attacked in +front and on their flanks.</p> + +<p>The suddenness of the onset, the thickness of the wood, and the +undulating nature of the ground, which tended to conceal the real +number of the enemy, combined with the shouts and cries by which +the Arabs sought to magnify their number, all contributed to shake +the steadiness of the French column. In vain were certain changes +in its formation attempted: the rear battalions ordered to close +up, the centre compacted, and the cavalry thrown out. In a short +time the whole body was thrown into confusion, the cavalry was +driven in, and the infantry and artillery were only able to fire +their discharges at random.</p> + +<p>For a while the Arab attack seemed to relent. The French now +broke from their ranks. The provision waggons were seized and +emptied; the wine casks were staved in. All eat and drank +ravenously. At length, by the greatest exertions on the part of the +officers, some sort of order was restored,<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_76">[76]</span> and an onward movement was effected. The +banks of the Sig were reached about sunset; and there the French +column encamped in solid square.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for the French, the main body of Abdel Kader’s army, +approaching by forced marches from Tlemsen, had been obliged to +halt for a short repose some two leagues higher up the stream. The +French, for that night, had a respite. At dawn of day, Trezel +commenced a retreat; but Abdel Kader had not been inactive. By a +rapid night march he had succeeded in placing himself on the +enemy’s line of communication with Oran. Trezel was in no condition +to fight his way, and took the direction of the seaport town of +Arzew. Knowing the difficulties of a direct movement in that +point—part of the intervening country being almost impassable to +waggons and artillery carriages—he determined to turn the Hamian +Mountains, and to emerge on the plain of Arzew by the defile of the +Habra, where that river Habra changes its name to that of the +Macta.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, seeing the direction the French were taking, at +once devised their object. If he could only occupy the defile of +the Habra before they reached it, he knew they would be at his +mercy. But the distance was too great for infantry to accomplish in +time to effect his object. Selecting a thousand horsemen, he +ordered each rider to mount a foot soldier behind him, and gallop +to the spot. This lucky inspiration was crowned with complete +success. The French, after patiently toiling across the plain of +Ceirat, harassed all the way by the Arab cavalry, entered the +defile about mid-day.</p> + +<p>To their surprise they found the slopes on either side of them +bristling with arms. As they proceeded, huge pieces of<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> rock were hurled down upon them. +While the French skirmishers were occupied during two hours in +bravely but slowly opening a way, Abdel Kader with his whole army +closed in upon them from behind. Their rear guard, fearing to be +cut off, pushed on confusedly to the front.</p> + +<p>Part of the ambulance and artillery took ground to the right, +and got swamped in a marsh. The artillerymen cut their traces and +fled. Regiments got intermingled. Companies and sections of +companies rushed here and there for places of shelter or escape. +Luckily for them, the Arabs were too much occupied in plundering +and stripping and slaying the wounded, to follow them into the +nooks and corners in which they had sought for refuge. Many, trying +to swim the river, were carried away by the stream and drowned. +Night came on. The crushed and mutilated mass dropped away towards +Arzew in disjointed fragments of helpless and bewildered +fugitives.</p> + +<p>The Arabs knew no bounds to their exultation. Shouts of joy +resounded, and the glare of torches flashed to and fro in the +defile all through the night. An aerial spectator might have seen +one part of it occupied with busy architects. Drawing near, he +would have seen something growing up from the ground, like a +pyramid. Bending down and listening, he would have heard frantic +cries of “more heads, more heads!” A closer inspection of this work +of art would have revealed to the astonished gaze hundreds of +French heads, piled up promiscuously.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader rode towards the place about midnight. He reined up, +and paused for awhile in silent and painful contemplation. His soul +revolted at the ghastly trophy. For the moment he was powerless; +but as he passed on, he<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_78">[78]</span> resolved in his mind that this should be the +last of such barbarities.</p> + +<p>Such was the terrible episode of the Macta. France was +electrified at the news of the disaster. The nation, with one +accord, demanded investigation, punishment, and vengeance. D’Erlon +was recalled; the brave but unfortunate Trezel was replaced by +General D’Arlanges. Marshal Clausel was sent to inaugurate a new +era in what was now called the African colony of France; but his +new weapons were destined to break in his hands.</p> + +<p>In the session of 1835, M. Thiers spoke powerfully in the French +Chambers on the subject of the system which had, up to that time, +been pursued in Algeria. “It is not colonisation,” he said. “It is +not occupation on a large scale; it is not occupation on a small +scale. It is not peace; it is not war. It is war badly made.” +Roused by this taunt, so bitterly justified by the late deplorable +event on the Macta, the French Government at last threw some energy +into its mode of action, augmented the army in Algeria, ordered the +vigorous prosecution of the war with Abdel Kader, and decreed the +occupation of Mascara. It was thought that the seizure of his +capital would bring the aspiring young Sultan to terms.</p> + +<p>Marshal Clausel arrived at Algiers August 10th, 1835. A pompous +proclamation which he issued boastfully announced the speedy +submission of the whole regency. A map was at the same time +published, showing the colony divided into beylicks, with the names +of the native beys appointed to govern them. Abdel Kader was held +to be a thing of the past, or, if existing, to be easily disposed +of.</p> + +<p>This highly satisfactory arrangement, however, never<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> extended beyond the domain of +imagination. The marshal’s military deeds were destined to contrast +awkwardly with his military dreams. Expeditions to Medea, to +Miliana, to Cherchell, all returned with sad tales of humiliation +and reverse. “In two months,” he had ostentatiously declared, “the +Hadjouts shall cease to be.” The marshal theorised; Abdel Kader +performed.</p> + +<p>His Khalifa at Miliana descended, by his orders, into the Metija +with 5,000 cavalry and infantry, rallied these very Hadjouts, swept +the plains of Algiers of all the French colonists, and blockaded +Algiers itself. On the other hand, D’Arlanges and the garrison of +Oran were reduced to the greatest straits. They were little more +than prisoners of war. Abdel Kader had almost realised his threat +that not a bird should fly over the towns occupied by the infidels +without his leave.</p> + +<p>The French everywhere writhed in their fetters. The army +breathed fury and indignation, and almost mutinied. From the +general to the drummer, all loudly demanded to be led out against +the daring and successful Arab who was thus setting them at +defiance and enveloping them in the toils of his fearless and +enterprising genius. On the 21st of November, 1835, Clausel went to +Oran, and prepared to take the field with 12,000 men.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was already on the alert. His available force, to +meet the coming shock, was 8,000 cavalry, 2,000 infantry, and four +pieces of cannon. With these he proposed to check, harass, and +perhaps scatter, the French army on its line of march. To defend +Mascara never entered into his plan; his was not a siege power.</p> + +<p>Clausel quitted Oran November 27th. The wood of +Muley<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> Ismael was +passed, and the fording of the Sig effected without opposition. As +the column drew near to the Habra, the Arabs were seen moving in a +parallel direction along the adjacent heights. Abdel Kader was +watching the moment when a break in the French lines would offer +him a favourable point of attack. Clausel, penetrating this +intention, halted, closed up, and, making face to his right, +advanced against the Arabs, in <em>échelons</em> of battalions from +his left.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader refused battle. Leaving his adversary to enjoy the +barren fruits of his change of front, he pushed on rapidly, and +placed himself across the main road leading to Mascara. His left +was posted on an eminence, where he placed his artillery; his right +was protected by a wood. His selection of ground would have done +honour to a European general.</p> + +<p>An able commander may seize a strategical point in such a manner +as to decide the fate of a campaign. He may overbear, and even turn +to a good account, obstacles apparently insuperable, by tactical +skill; he may make time and space subservient to his designs; but +he cannot give irregulars the firmness requisite to hold the part +assigned to them in a regular order of battle. It was the fate of +Abdel Kader to discover now, that, in attempting to realise the +theories of European military science in the open field, and on a +given ground, with the levies under his command, the elements he +wielded were below the requirements of his genius.</p> + +<p>Four chapels, dedicated to Sidi Embarek, were occupied by his +advanced posts. These the French quickly drove in. The Arab cavalry +charged in various places; but they were broken and dispersed by +shells and rockets. Abdel Kader directed in person the fire of his +artillery. Some well-directed<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_81">[81]</span> shots had thrown a French brigade into +confusion. Immediately he led on his infantry against it. Animated +by his presence, his Arabs and Kabyles went in valiantly. But they +measured themselves in vain against the courage and obstinacy of +French infantry. The struggle on their part was desperate but +fruitless, and they retreated in confusion.</p> + +<p>The French had in the meantime, and after some hours’ hard +fighting, possessed themselves of the wood on the right of the Arab +position, whilst their artillery had pushed well up the main road. +The Arabs abandoned the field at all points. Abdel Kader vainly +endeavoured to preserve some order in the retreat. That night, his +regular infantry disbanded. Of the cavalry of the tribes, some went +to their homes; others hurried off to Mascara, and began to plunder +the place. He himself withdrew to Cachero, his family property, +about two leagues beyond that town.</p> + +<p>The army of Abdel Kader had melted away like a wreath of snow. +It was evident that the French would soon be in Mascara. Tlemsen +might even fall into their hands in a brief space of time. Whole +tribes, as a probable consequence, would seek safety by submission. +Some of his chiefs, on whom Abdel Kader most relied, had already +deserted him. His case seemed to be hopeless. But he calmly awaited +the time when the panic should subside; he felt assured that it +would be only transient. He was mortified and indignant at the +stain which had been put upon his fame and reputation by the +weakness and pusillanimity of some, and the treason of others. Yet +he never uttered an invective or a reproach.</p> + +<p>The few followers who remained with Abdel Kader anxiously +endeavoured to read his thoughts. The alarmists<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> he re-assured; the faint-hearted +he encouraged; to his mother, who, with womanly tenderness and +compassion, now approached him to pour words of comfort and +consolation in his ear, he calmly replied, taking her hand in his, +“Women, mother, have need of pity, not men.”</p> + +<p>Clausel entered Mascara December 6, 1835. A miserable crowd of +Jews was all that remained of its population. They came out of +their dens to crouch at the feet of the victorious French. All +masters were alike to these exiles from the Land of Promise. The +Mohammedans had disdained to allow them to accompany them in their +flight. On the 7th, flames burst forth in various parts of the +town, but were soon extinguished. The French were just beginning to +repose from their fatigues, and were contemplating a permanent +occupation, when, to their surprise and disgust, they got orders to +prepare for leaving. On the 8th December, Mascara was +evacuated.</p> + +<p>The next day, a horseman appeared before its gates. It was Abdel +Kader. Rumours of his presence spread rapidly. Some Arabs made +their appearance before him; they looked abashed and mistrustful. +El Aoura, Aga of the Hashems, was amongst the number. In the +flight, he had carried off the royal parasol. He now produced it. +“Keep it for yourself,” said Abdel Kader, with a sarcastic smile; +“you may, one of these days, be Sultan.”</p> + +<p>As the day wore on, some of the fugitive chiefs came dropping +in. Abdel Kader eyed them contemptuously. At last, one ventured to +ask him, if he had any orders to give them. “My orders!” he +exclaimed. “Yes, my orders are, that you instantly relieve me from +the burden you imposed upon<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_83">[83]</span> me, and which the interests of religion alone +have enabled me to support, up to this hour. Let the tribes make +choice of my successor, and inform Il Hadj Djellali of the result. +I am going with my family to Morocco.”</p> + +<p>By a common impulse, chiefs and men prostrated themselves before +him, kissed his hands, his feet, his burnous, imploring pardon and +forgiveness for the past, and promising fidelity and constancy for +the future. “He was their father, their Sultan, the chosen of God +to lead on the Djehad; their lives were his; if he left them, they +had nought to do but surrender to the infidels.” At these last +words, Abdel Kader turned round abruptly. The blood mantled to his +cheeks. They had struck the only chord to which his heart +responded—the sense of duty. “God’s will be done,” he exclaimed; +“but remember, I swear never to enter Mascara except to go to the +Mosque, until you have avenged your ignominious defeat. I see +traitors amongst you; Mamoor yonder is one; let him be hung.” The +unfortunate culprit was seized and executed forthwith.</p> + +<p>The master spirit had prevailed; confidence was restored. That +night, from the royal tent, dispatches went forth to all the +tribes, summoning them to renewed action. On the morrow, Abdel +Kader, buoyant and cheerful as ever, towering above misfortune, +mighty in disaster, dauntless where all desponded, arresting +victory in her flight from the very depths of humiliation and +defeat, sallied forth, sword in hand, at the head of 6,000 cavalry, +to attack and harass the French column, as, wrapped in tempest, +drenched with rain, and benumbed with cold, it pursued its +incomprehensible retreat on Mostaganem.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span><a id= +"c07"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1836.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Notwithstanding</span> Clausel’s +temporary occupation of Mascara, Abdel Kader had already regained +his ascendancy. Everywhere he was in possession of the field. +Several tribes who had shown an inclination to accept the rule of +the French were punished, either by money levied, or cattle +distrained. Moreover Clausel sued for peace.</p> + +<p>To the proposition that he should acknowledge the sovereignty of +France, Abdel Kader replied, that before acknowledging a suzerain +he should like to know precisely the extent of power and territory +which he was to hold, as well as the obligations he should be +called on to fulfil. Miloud ibn Arasch was invited to come to Oran +to discuss the negotiation. Clausel was, at this time, meditating +an expedition against Tlemsen.</p> + +<p>The presence of the French in the interim had encouraged their +partisans. Mustapha ibn Ismail had promised Clausel the +co-operation of more than one Arab tribe, if he advanced upon +Tlemsen. The Beni Engad declared themselves his friends, and they +were already drawing near the town in large force with the view of +assisting him, and aiding the escape of the Kolouglis from the +citadel, in which the latter were still blockaded.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>Abdel Kader +hearing of this combination, made a rapid descent on both parties. +He caught Mustapha and the Kolouglis in the very act of making a +sortie, and drove them back. Turning round on the Beni Engad, he +completely routed them. The action was scarcely over, when Clausel +and his column, 8,000 strong, were seen marching on the town. Abdel +Kader had barely time to complete its evacuation. He withdrew with +the whole population, unmolested, to Ouchda, on the frontiers of +Morocco. Clausel entered Tlemsen January 13th, 1836.</p> + +<p>Mustapha and the Kolouglis, followed by a miserable crowd of +Jews, presented themselves before the Governor-General and his +staff, overwhelming him with exuberant professions of loyalty and +submission, and calling him their saviour and benefactor. He +demanded from them 100,000 francs as a proof of their sincerity. In +vain the astonished dupes pleaded their utter inability to raise +such a sum, Clausel was inexorable. The screw was mercilessly +applied. Threats and blows, and even torture, were used, and the +contribution was finally paid, partly in coin, partly in diamonds +and articles of jewellery.</p> + +<p>This mode of treatment pursued by the French was as great an +advantage to the cause of Abdel Kader as any victory would have +been.</p> + +<p>“If that is the way,” he exclaimed, “the French treat their +friends, what are their enemies to expect?”</p> + +<p>It was diligently spread abroad that a Jew had presided at the +tying up and castigation of the Kolouglis. The Arabs were furious. +Such an indignity put upon Mussulmans had never been heard of. The +Beni Engad opened a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> +correspondence with Abdel Kader. The Kolouglis sent him word +privately that they only awaited the departure of the French to +give him up the citadel.</p> + +<p>It was the intention of Clausel, however, to occupy the town, as +he was extremely anxious to establish a direct communication +between Tlemsen and the sea-coast. The mouth of the Tafna was the +nearest available point for this purpose, but the intervening +ground was mountainous. He set out to accomplish his object, +January 23rd. He soon found himself in presence of Abdel Kader, +with his whole army.</p> + +<p>For ten successive days the battle raged between them. The +Arabs, burning to avenge their late defeat, were obstinately +tenacious. Abdel Kader, moreover, had not attempted a regular +formation. Hills, ravines, rocks, and rivers were seized and +defended, according to the exigencies of the moment. Against such +tactics, and in an unknown country, French courage and discipline +were at fault. Clausel was defeated and driven back to Tlemsen with +considerable loss. After placing a garrison in the citadel under +the command of Captain Cavaignac, he returned with his column to +Oran, harassed by Abdel Kader to its very gates.</p> + +<p>On his arrival at Algiers, he consoled himself for all his +futile expeditions by issuing a proclamation declaring the war to +be finished. “Abdel Kader,” it stated, “utterly beaten and +discomfited, has fled to the Sahara, there to conceal his treason +and revolt.” In April, the Marshal embarked for France, leaving +instructions to General d’Arlanges at Oran, to make a fortified +camp on the Tafna, with the view of opening from thence the desired +line of communication with Tlemsen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>General Perregaux +about this time made an incursion on the tribes located in the +valley of the Cheliff. Influenced by their chiefs, the sons of Sidi +il Aribi, these tribes had continued, despite their repeated +corrections, to waver in their obedience to the Sultan. They had +not paid the tribute without considerable reluctance and +complaints, and they had furnished their contingent of cavalry to +his army with manifest repugnance. They now, under pretence of +superior pressure, again entered into an alliance with the +French.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was too much occupied, for the moment, with the +blockade of Tlemsen and the proceedings of D’Arlanges on the Tafna, +to interrupt the military promenade of Perregaux. But the recreant +Arabs, who had welcomed the French general, were soon made to feel +the weight of the Sultan’s indignation. No sooner had the French +withdrawn than he came down on them like an avalanche. Eighteen +tribes were heavily fined, and their cattle distrained. The Borgia +tribe, singled out to serve as a terrible example, was decimated, +and then driven out of the district to find shelter where it +could.</p> + +<p>D’Arlanges had reached the Tafna, with great difficulty, on the +16th of April, with 3,000 infantry and eight pieces of artillery. +Having completed an entrenched camp on the banks of the river, he +marched out on the 21st, in conformity with his instructions, to +open the road to Tlemsen. Abdel Kader, who from the central +position of Nedroma, which commanded equally the road from the +Tafna to Tlemsen and to Oran, was able to watch his enemy’s +movements in either direction, rapidly descended to the encounter, +enveloped the French column with masses of Kabyles and Arabs, and +obliged it to retrace its steps.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>He owed this +success to his own unwearied exertions and commanding influence. So +long as he could keep each separate French garrison in a state of +isolation, the game was his own. But to effect so comprehensive a +plan, he was obliged to keep the whole country constantly on the +alert. With this view he had for weeks past been traversing the +mountains of the Kabyles which spread around the Tafna. Through +toilsome days and sleepless nights he had been summoning, +preaching, and haranguing. His fiery eloquence had raised the +enthusiasm of those fierce and ungovernable mountaineers to a pitch +of frenzy. When the time for action came, and Abdel Kader once more +led them in person against the foe, they rushed to the combat more +like wild beasts than men, came at once to close quarters with the +French infantry, grappled with them in single combat, swept through +their ranks, and rushed up to the cannon’s mouth.</p> + +<p>The French government, irritated by such prolonged and +unexpected resistance, continued to pour in reinforcements. On the +6th of June, 1836, General Bugeaud landed at the mouth of the Tafna +with three fresh regiments. The attempt to force a passage to +Tlemsen was immediately renewed, and, at last, the point was +carried with success. Abdel Kader fought a long and desperate +battle with the invading force on the banks of the Sikkak, but on +this occasion he was completely defeated.</p> + +<p>This reverse had its usual effect on the tribes. Many of the +cavalry contingents rode off and returned to their homes. The +sudden abandonment to which Abdel Kader was sometimes exposed, +after a defeat, would have prostrated the energies of a weaker +mind, and paralysed a less iron-moulded<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_89">[89]</span> will. But such oscillations had long ceased +to affect him. He well knew that whenever Fortune smiled, a wave of +his sword would at any hour bring both waverers and rebels +crouching to his feet.</p> + +<p>But when he was informed that a certain Sidi Ibrahim had so far +calculated on his present emergency as to excite a revolt against +him, and even to assume the title of sultan, he drew his sword from +its scabbard, hung it to his saddle bow, and vowed never to sheathe +it or descend from his horse till he had the traitor’s head. +Appearing almost singly in the midst of the tribe Beni Amers, among +whom he knew the traitor to be, he demanded his instant delivery. +The tribe, startled and subdued by this act of bold decision, and +dreading the charge of complicity, gave up the rebel Sidi Ibrahim. +His head was at once taken off.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, by the ceaseless activity of his movements in all +directions, and by the untiring vigilance with which he +superintended his system of blockade, had again reduced the French +to the greatest extremities. They had established posts in the +interior, but they could neither reach them nor communicate with +them. Their letters were intercepted. The bearers of them, when +seized, were invariably decapitated. No friendly tribes brought the +French provisions.</p> + +<p>Whether at Oran, or at the Tafna, they could only move out in +large bodies, and on such occasions large supplies, beasts of +burden, and means of transport were required. The Douairs and +Zmelas, seeking shelter under the walls of Oran, lived upon the +rations scantily doled out to them by their protectors. At Tlemsen, +Cavaignac was buying cats for his table at 40 francs a head.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>In the month of +November, 1836, Clausel, who had returned to his post, undertook +the siege of Constantine, the stronghold of Achmet Bey, the last +representative of the Turkish power in Algeria. Abdel Kader +abstained from taking any steps which might thwart the complete +development of that design. Whether the French were successful in +their design or not, he flattered himself that he should be the +gainer in the end. He felt that if the Bey were vanquished, he +should be delivered, without cost or trouble to himself, from a +dangerous rival, and that the Arab tribes of the province of +Constantine would then be free to join his standard. If he were +triumphant, the French, wearied out by the difficulties of their +general position in the country, might abandon it; in which case, a +struggle between himself and the Bey for the mastery would neither +be doubtful as to its issue, nor of long duration.</p> + +<p>But when the expedition failed, he felt his hour was come. From +his head-quarters at Medea, he issued orders for a simultaneous +advance against all the French possessions between the Atlas and +the sea-coast. In the province of Oran little remained to be +effected. But the plain of the Metija was at his mercy. Thousands +of Arabs and Kabyles, supported by the tribes of Tittery, descended +like a torrent from the mountains, sacking and burning the French +colonial establishments, slaying and capturing the colonists, and +carrying terror and dismay into Algiers itself.</p> + +<p>The state to which the French garrisons were now reduced was +pitiable. The utmost ingenuity of their commissariat was daily and +hourly taxed to avert the horrors of famine. Fortunately for the +French, they were relieved from their painful predicament by the +speculative genius of a Jew.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span>Durand, the +Sultan’s wily and influential agent at Algiers, had long been +feasting his imagination with the splendid harvest he should +gather, could he only be constituted sole conductor of commercial +transactions between the contending parties. To this end he had for +months been labouring to convince Abdel Kader that the advantages, +even in a military point of view, to be gained by feeding the +French would far outweigh the value of any glory which might be +gained by starving them.</p> + +<p>Authorised to drive the best bargain he could, Durand hurried +off to Oran, and opened a negotiation with General Broussard, who, +at that period, was in command of the garrison.</p> + +<p>“The French,” he said, “have need of corn and meat. The Sultan +wants iron, lead, and sulphur. Let each party sell the other what +it wants, and all will be satisfied. You need not fear that you +will be in any degree compromised with the Sultan by such an +arrangement. He will not appear in the matter at all. I will sell +you corn and cattle; and you will sell me iron and sulphur. The +Sultan will merely know, indirectly, that the former articles are +for you, and the latter for him. The Sultan will even go so far as +to allow you to re-victual Tlemsen; but as such a concession would +undoubtedly exasperate and disgust the Arabs, to whom the presence +of the French in that town is hateful, he can only take on himself +the odium and responsibility of granting it, on the condition that +all the prisoners taken at the battle of the Sikkak are set free +and sent back to him.”</p> + +<p>Broussard at once accepted the proposal. The French again +enjoyed the long unaccustomed luxury of abundance. Abdel Kader, on +his side quietly obtained from his enemies,<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_92">[92]</span> reduced to assume the garb of friends, the +materials of war, which were hereafter to be wielded against +them.</p> + +<p>Not only did this singular contract, as it turned out, give him +the means of increasing his aggressive power, but, at the same +time, it also raised his <em>prestige</em>. To the sneers of +fanatics, who reproached him with his defeats, and the complaints +of whole families, constantly demanding their lost ones, +languishing in the prisons of the infidel, he could now reply by +triumphantly pointing to prisoners arrested from the victor’s +hands, restored to their homes, and able again to take part in the +holy war. Such was the state of affairs when General Bugeaud +arrived from France at Oran, with instructions either to make peace +with Abdel Kader, or to conquer him.</p> + +<p>Wishing to try, in the first place, to effect a negotiation, he +sent him the following propositions as a basis of +accommodation:—</p> + +<p>1. Acknowledgment of the sovereignty of France.</p> + +<p>2. Limitation of his territory to the river Cheliff.</p> + +<p>3. Payment of tribute.</p> + +<p>4. Delivery of hostages, as guarantee for, and the due execution +of, any future treaty which might be agreed on.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader replied, through his agent Durand, that having never +experienced any fatal check, and having amply compensated himself +for any disasters which had temporarily befallen him, he could +never consent to be placed in a position inferior to that which he +enjoyed by the treaty of Desmichels; that Arabs would never hear of +living under even the nominal dominion of Christians; and that if +France endeavoured to place them under it by force she would be +embarking in an endless war. He declared, moreover, that he had not +entered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> the province +of Tittery from any design of his own, but had been summoned +thither by the voice of its inhabitants, and that neither his +honour nor his religion would allow him to abandon those who had +thrown themselves on his protection. He added, that in his opinion +the real interest of France was not to seek an extension of sway +over populations irreconcilably hostile to her, but rather to +confine herself to commercial enterprise in the towns on the +sea-coast.</p> + +<p>By the voice of his agent, Abdel Kader admitted, however, that +he would consent to allow the French to occupy the Metija, or Plain +of Algiers, with the exception of Blidah, which belonged properly +to the mountains, and that he was willing to yield them all the +territory near Oran, comprised between the Bridia and the Macta. He +was ready, moreover, as he declared, to renounce the monopoly +granted him by Desmichels, to allow complete freedom of commerce, +and to guarantee the security, and repair the losses, if any +occurred, of all Frenchmen who chose to settle in the interior. He +would pledge himself, finally, never to give up any sea-port which +was ceded to him to a foreign power.</p> + +<p>Bold and dictatorial as such language appeared to the General, +he preferred, under all circumstances, to continue in the path of +concession, rather than to make any resistance which might have +precipitated hostilities. His Government had expressly warned him +against granting Abdel Kader any further extension of territory. +The latter had firmly stated that he would not give up an inch of +what he held. The General yielded, and on his own responsibility, +offered to give up to Abdel Kader the province of Tittery, with the +stipulation, however, that he should consent to be the vassal of +France.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>The following +ultimatum, embodying the terms of this important compromise, was +now drawn up, and forwarded to Abdel Kader. The circumscribed +limits, within which the military representative of the French +Government therein offered to confine his countrymen in Algeria, +constituted a point which was in itself a glorious testimony to the +successful prowess of the great leader who had hitherto rendered +barren all the expeditions which the French had directed against +him, and thwarted all their schemes of conquest.</p> + +<p>1. The Emir will recognise the sovereignty of France.</p> + +<p>2. France reserves, in the province of Oran, a belt, from ten to +twelve leagues in breadth, beginning at the Rio Salado, and +terminating at the Cheliff. In the province of Algiers, he reserves +Algiers, and all the province of that name. She cedes to the Emir +the province of Tittery and that of Oran, excepting the belt +afore-mentioned.</p> + +<p>3. The Emir will pay an annual tribute in corn and cattle.</p> + +<p>4. There shall be perfect freedom of commerce.</p> + +<p>5. All the goods which the French have acquired, or may acquire, +in the country will be guaranteed.</p> + +<p>This ultimatum reached Abdel Kader at Medea, where he had +already opened negotiations with General Damremont, the new +Governor-General of Algeria, not without sanguine hopes of a +satisfactory result. He now found himself engaged with two +negotiators, both willing to treat with him on terms highly +favourable to his views and expectations. Their zeal to conclude +with him, indeed, amounted to rivalry.</p> + +<p>Bugeaud had requested, as a particular favour from his +Government, that to him alone should be reserved the glory of +dealing with Abdel Kader. When, therefore, he learned<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> that Damremont had entered into +diplomatic relations with the Arab Sultan, his jealousy was +aroused. He taxed his superior with exercising an unauthorised and +unwarrantable intervention in a complication, the adjustment of +which depended entirely on himself. A recriminating correspondence +took place. Reference was made to the Minister of War, who decided +that Bugeaud was to be left full liberty of action, without +interference or supervision.</p> + +<p>As soon as Abdel Kader heard of this decision, he returned to +the province of Oran, and on the 12th of May sent the following +propositions in reply to Bugeaud’s ultimatum:—</p> + +<p>1. The Emir acknowledges the sovereignty of France.</p> + +<p>2. All the Mussulmans who live outside the towns shall be under +his jurisdiction.</p> + +<p>3. The territory of the French to the west of Oran shall be +confined to the country between Bridia and the sea, and extend as +far as the Macta. On the side of Algiers, they will be allowed to +hold the country between that town and the river Beni-Azza.</p> + +<p>4. The Emir will give, for this year only, 20,000 measures of +corn, 20,000 measures of barley, and 3,000 head of cattle.</p> + +<p>5. The Emir shall be empowered to buy, in France, powder, +sulphur, and arms.</p> + +<p>6. The Kolouglis who choose to remain in Tlemsen, shall keep +their properties, be under our power, and conform themselves to our +land.</p> + +<p>7. Those who leave the French territory, or the territory of the +Emir, shall be reciprocally given up on the requisition of the one +or the other party.</p> + +<p>8. France cedes to the Emir, Rachgoun, Tlemsen, its citadel, and +the mortars and cannons which anciently belonged<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> to it. The Emir undertakes to +transport the effects of the French garrison to Oran.</p> + +<p>9. Commerce shall be free between the Arabs and the French.</p> + +<p>10. The French shall be respected amongst the Arabs, as the +Arabs amongst the French.</p> + +<p>11. The farms and properties which the French may have acquired +in the Metija shall be guaranteed. They shall enjoy them +freely.</p> + +<p>In the preceding stipulations, Abdel Kader made no allusion to +the cession of Tittery and Oran. He looked on it as a matter of +course, inasmuch as in the former province the French had not even +the shadow of power; whilst in the latter they only traversed as +birds of passage, flitting from town to town. But, bent on the +consolidation of his power, and the strengthening of his lines of +communication, he boldly insisted on the evacuation, by the French, +of Tlemsen, and on their yielding up the port of Rachgoun.</p> + +<p>But he went even still further. Feeling well his vantage-ground, +and seeing the straits to which the French were reduced, he did not +hesitate to require that all Mussulman residing on French territory +should be under his exclusive jurisdiction. In this demand he +endeavoured to carry out and enforce a principle which, in his +eyes, was paramount to every earthly consideration, as based on the +very essence of the Koran—the principle, that under no +circumstances, if possible, should any Mussulman voluntarily +acknowledge or submit to Christian rule.</p> + +<p>At this period, Abdel Kader approached the zenith of his +career.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span><a id= +"c08"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1837.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Nothing</span> more loudly +testifies to the immense superiority enjoyed by Abdel Kader, at +this period, than the fact of his being in a position to advance +such pretensions, and make such demands. Their real and evident +meaning was, that he should be acknowledged Sultan of Algeria, +whilst the French lived, as it were, under sufferance, on the +outskirts of his empire, simply enjoying the advantage of trading +with his subjects.</p> + +<p>It must be borne in mind, at the same time, that Abdel Kader was +perfectly aware of the state of public opinion in France. He +subscribed regularly to the French journals. The debates in the +Chambers, and the leading articles on Algerian affairs, were +interpreted to him. He saw the liberal party cordially approving +and supporting the principle laid down by their chief orator, M. +Dupin, who denounced Algiers as a fatal legacy, bequeathed by the +Restoration, which ought to be abandoned, “if,” as he exclaimed, +“we would not see our last man, and our last sons, swallowed +up.”</p> + +<p>He gathered, from the general tenor of the passages which were +read to him, that many of the principal politicians in France +looked upon colonisation in Africa as a dream; that they considered +all warlike operations there carried on as so<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_98">[98]</span> much blood and treasure thrown away; and +that they maintained the true policy of France to be, merely to +hold a few places along the coast for the purpose of preventing +piracy, and cultivating peaceable and honourable relations with the +natives.</p> + +<p>When, in addition to this, Abdel Kader saw the French Chambers +making a practical comment on such sentiments, by refusing to vote +more than 30,000 men for the colony, and learned, that after the +disastrous retreat from Constantine, the opinion in favour of an +immediate evacuation of the country began to prevail more than +ever, it is not to be wondered at if he thought that, by a little +pertinacity, and a little more perseverance, he should succeed in +obtaining such terms as would enable him to realise his cherished +idea of founding an independent Arab kingdom.</p> + +<p>The propositions sent in by Abdel Kader seemed, to Bugeaud, so +utterly incompatible with French interests, that he determined to +carry out the second part of his programme,—an appeal to arms. In +the beginning of May, 1837, he assembled his whole force, +consisting of 12,000 men, in the camp of the Tafna, preparatory to +offensive operations. When he came to review his resources, he +found the transport service so utterly inadequate to the occasion, +that he was obliged to suspend his march.</p> + +<p>To procure animals from the interior was impossible. A supply +from France was not expected. The summer heats, so fatal to +soldiers in the field, were fast approaching. The time fixed for +the second siege of Constantine was at hand, and he had engaged +that a large portion of his little army should be sent round to +take part in it. The home government<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_99">[99]</span> had made its arrangements in full reliance on +the fulfilment of this pledge. Peace with Abdel Kader, however +humiliating, became a necessity. The latter was informed that the +door was still open for negotiation. He asked leave for a few days’ +consideration.</p> + +<p>Various reasons conspired to make Abdel Kader anxious to base +his action, in a measure of such importance as that of again making +peace with the French, on an appeal to the wishes of the tribes at +large. The fanatical party accused him of personal ambition, and of +sacrificing the uncompromising principles of the Faith to his own +selfish views of aggrandisement. The restless, the lawless—all, in +fact, who preferred unbridled liberty to the solid advantages +springing from a well-established central power, and who felt that +the return of peace would hand them over unreservedly, and without +the power of resistance, to the master-hand which would soon reduce +them to implicit obedience—only wanted a pretext to assume the +cloak of religion, and join the fanatics in their senseless +cry.</p> + +<p>With well-timed skill and foresight, Abdel Kader now resolved to +cut the ground from under the feet of both these parties. The +demand for peace, or, rather, the willingness to accept it, ought, +he opined, to be looked on as a national act. A general assembly +was summoned to meet on the banks of the Habra, May 25, 1837; and +thither, according to invitation, came all the great Sheiks, the +leaders of cavalry contingents, the venerable Marabouts, and the +most distinguished warriors of the province of Oran.</p> + +<p>The Sultan opened the deliberations in the following words:—“Let +no one amongst you ever accuse me of wanting<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_100">[100]</span> to make peace with the Christians. It is +for you to decide the question of peace or war.” He then proceeded +to explain the nature of the correspondence, which had taken place +between himself and Bugeaud; the propositions and overtures which +had been made to him, and those he had made in return. In +conclusion, he commented carefully on each of the articles of his +own ultimatum, sent in to the French general on the 12th May.</p> + +<p>A long and stormy discussion ensued. The fanatics, and those +secretly indisposed towards the Sultan, were violent in their cries +for war. The Marabouts silenced them by the nicely-drawn +discrimination between peace accepted and peace demanded. The +Koran, they said, nowhere inculcated a useless shedding of blood, +when the infidel had submitted, and craved that the sword might be +sheathed. The French had submitted. They begged for peace. The +Sultan had dictated his own terms.</p> + +<p>This reasoning prevailed. It was decided by a large majority +that the benefits which would accrue to the commonalty from a state +of peace, justified the giving up of Blidah, and the plain of +Algiers, to the French. A slight extension of the limits to which +the Sultan originally intended to confine them would be no +inconvenience to the Arabs, inasmuch as every Mussulman would be +free to emigrate from the French possessions to the Sultan’s +territory. The demand, however, of the French Government for +tribute, was declared to be inadmissible.</p> + +<p>Sidi Sekkal was shortly afterwards sent to the French +head-quarters on the Tafna, with the following concessions:—</p> + +<p>“1. Blidah abandoned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>“2. Renunciation +of all authority over Mussulmans residing on French territory.</p> + +<p>“3. A certain extension of the French boundaries.”</p> + +<p>Sidi Sekkal was commissioned, at the same time, to enter into +the nature of the limits proposed, and to give other necessary +explanations. Bugeaud, convinced that further delay would not +procure him better conditions, agreed to everything. Thereupon the +following treaty, celebrated as the “Treaty of the Tafna,” was +drawn up and signed by both parties, May 20th, 1837.</p> + +<p class="hang1 space-above15 sc">“The following Treaty has been +agreed upon, between Lieutenant-General Bugeaud, commanding the +French troops in the Province of Oran, and the Emir Abdel +Kader.</p> + +<p>“Art. 1. The Emir Abdel Kader acknowledges the sovereignty of +France.</p> + +<p>“Art. 2. France reserves to herself, in the province of Oran, +Mostaganem, Mazagnan, and their territories, Oran, Arzew, and a +territory limited in the following manner:—On the east, by the +river Macta, and the marsh from whence it flows; on the south, by a +line starting from the said marsh, passing by the shore on the +south of the lake, and continuing its prolongation up the Wady +Maleh, in the direction of Sidi Said; and from this river down to +the sea, shall belong to the French. In the province of Algiers, +Algiers, the Sahel, the plain of the Metija, bounded on the east by +the Wady Khuddra, onwards; on the south, by the crest of the first +chain of the lesser Atlas, as far as the Chiffa, including Blidah +and its territory; on the west, by the Chiffa as far as<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> the Mount of Mazagnan, and +from thence, in a direct line to the sea, enclosing Coleah and its +territory, shall be French territory.</p> + +<p>“Art. 3. The Emir shall have the administration of the province +of Oran, that of Tittery, and that part of the province of Algiers +which is not comprised on the east, within the limits indicated by +Article 2. He cannot enter any other part of the Regency.</p> + +<p>“Art. 4. The Emir shall have no authority over Mussulmans who +wish to reside on the territory reserved to France; but these shall +be at liberty to go and reside on the territory under the Emir’s +administration; in the same manner the inhabitants living under the +Emir’s administration may establish themselves on French +territory.</p> + +<p>“Art. 5. The Arabs dwelling on French territory shall enjoy the +free exercise of their religion. They may build mosques, and follow +their religious discipline in every particular, under the authority +of their spiritual chiefs.</p> + +<p>“Art. 6. The Emir will give to the French army 30,000 measures +of corn; 30,000 measures of barley; 5,000 head of oxen. The +delivery of these provisions will be made at Oran, in three +instalments; the first, on the 15th September, 1837, and the two +others every successive two months.</p> + +<p>“Art. 7. The Emir shall be empowered to buy in France, powder, +sulphur, and the arms he requires.</p> + +<p>“Art. 8. The Kolouglis who wish to remain in Tlemsen, or +elsewhere, shall have free possession of their properties there, +and shall be treated as citizens. Those who wish to withdraw to +French territory, may sell or rent their properties freely.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>“Art. 9. France +cedes to the Emir, Rachgoun, Tlemsen, its citadel, and all the +cannons which were anciently in it. The Emir engages to convey to +Oran all the effects, as well as munitions of war, belonging to the +garrison of Tlemsen.</p> + +<p>“Art. 10. Commerce shall be free between the Arabs and the +French. They may establish themselves reciprocally, on each other’s +territory.</p> + +<p>“Art. 11. The French shall be respected amongst the Arabs, as +the Arabs amongst the French. The farms and properties which the +French have acquired, or may acquire, on the Arab territory, shall +be guaranteed them: they shall enjoy them freely, and the Emir +engages to indemnify them for any damages the Arabs may cause +them.</p> + +<p>“Art. 12. The criminals on both territories shall be +reciprocally given up.</p> + +<p>“Art. 13. The Emir engages not to give up any part of the coast +to any foreign power whatever, without the authorisation of +France.</p> + +<p>“Art. 14. The commerce of the Regency shall only be carried on +in French ports.</p> + +<p>“Art. 15. France shall maintain agents near the Emir, and in the +towns under his jurisdiction, to act as intermediaries for French +subjects, in any commercial disputes they may have with the +Arabs.</p> + +<p>“The Emir will have the same privilege in French towns and +seaports.</p> + +<p class="center">“Tafna, May 30, 1837.</p> + +<p class="right">“The Lieutenant-General commanding at Oran.”</p> + +<table class="width-full"> +<tr> +<td class="tdc">(The Emir’s seal under the Arab text.)</td> +<td class="tdc">(Bugeaud the General’s seal under the French +text.)</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p class="space-above15"><span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_104">[104]</span>Bugeaud had been strictly enjoined by his +Government to confine Abdel Kader to the province of Oran; on no +account to cede him the province of Tittery, and to insist on his +paying tribute.</p> + +<p>In a letter to the Minister of War, he thus excused himself for +having signed a treaty which violated such orders:—</p> + +<p>“You may well suppose that it pained me greatly to be obliged to +make up my mind not to follow your instructions, as regards the +limits to be assigned to the Emir. But that was impossible. Be +assured that the peace I have concluded is better, and is likely to +be more durable than any I could have made by confining Abdel Kader +between the Cheliff and Morocco.”</p> + +<p>By this treaty, nevertheless, the French were substantially +confined to a few towns on the sea-coast, with very circumscribed +adjacent territories; whilst all the fortresses and strongholds in +the interior were left in the hands of their triumphant and +victorious adversary. In a word, Abdel Kader thereby possessed +two-thirds of Algeria; and in addition to the immense accession +which this splendid triumph had added to his influence and power, +he now earned along with him the advantage of appearing before the +world as the friend and ally of France.</p> + +<p>The French generals, who had hitherto followed each other in +rapid succession through the various phases of the war, had sought +in vain for an interview with the illustrious Arab chief, who, +whilst he sorely taxed their military talents, had excited in their +breasts feelings of soldierly admiration. This favour was now +vouchsafed to General Bugeaud.</p> + +<p>On the 31st of May, 1837, the General, followed by six +battalions, with all his artillery and cavalry, reached +the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> appointed place +of rendezvous. Abdel Kader had not yet arrived. Five hours were +passed in expectation; still nobody appeared. At last, about two +o’clock, several Arabs came up, one after another, bearing various +kinds of excuses. The Sultan had been indisposed. He had set out +late. He was thinking of asking to have the interview postponed +till next day. He was not far off. He was close at hand.</p> + +<p>A horseman now came up and begged the General to move on a +little; he would soon meet the Sultan. It was getting late, and the +General, who wished to get his troops back to their camp before +dark, advanced. After marching for more than an hour, he at length +came upon the Arab army, consisting of more than 15,000 cavalry, +drawn up in tolerable order, on an undulating plain. At this +moment, Bou Hamedi rode up to him, and pointed to the spot where +the Sultan was surrounded by a large escort, on a hillock not far +off.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes more, Abdel Kader and his escort were seen +advancing towards the General. It was an imposing sight. Nearly two +hundred Arab chiefs, on prancing steeds, closed around their +Sultan, whose simple apparel offered a striking contrast to their +splendid appointments, glittering with highly-burnished arms, which +flashed and sparkled in the noon-day sun. Abdel Kader rode a few +paces in front, mounted on a magnificent black charger, which he +handled with extraordinary dexterity, sometimes making it spring +with all fours in the air, sometimes making it walk for several +yards on its hind legs, and evidently seeking to make an impression +by his superior horsemanship. Several Arabs ran by his side, +holding his stirrups, and the ends of his burnous.</p> + +<p>General Bugeaud now dashed forward at full gallop, and on +reaching the Emir, shook hands with him. Both alighted,<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> and seating themselves on the +grass, entered into the following conversation.</p> + +<p><em>Bugeaud.</em>—“Do you know that there are very few generals +who would have dared to make the treaty I have concluded with you? +But I have not been afraid of aggrandising you, and adding to your +power, because I felt assured that you would only employ the great +existence which we give you in ameliorating the condition of the +Arab nation, and in maintaining peace and a good understanding with +France.”</p> + +<p><em>Abdel Kader.</em>—“I thank you for your good sentiments +towards me. Please God, I will make the Arabs happy; and if the +peace is ever broken, it will be no fault of mine.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“On this point, I am your security with the King of +the French.”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“You risk nothing in so doing: we have a religion +which obliges us to keep our word. I have never been faithless to +mine.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“I count on it; and it is in this conviction I offer +you my personal friendship.”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“I accept your friendship, but let the French beware +of listening to intriguers.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“The French are never led by individuals, and it is +not the acts of individuals which can break the peace: it is only +the non-execution of the treaty, or some great act of hostility. As +to the culpable acts of individuals, we will be on our guard +against them, or punish them reciprocally.”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“Very good. You have only to give me notice, and the +guilty shall be punished.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“I recommend to your good offices the Kolouglis who +may remain at Tlemsen.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span><em>A.</em>—“Be +easy on that score; they shall be treated like citizens.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“You have promised me that you will locate the +Douairs amongst the Hafras: the country will, perhaps, not be +sufficient for them.”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“They shall be located in such a manner as not to +endanger the maintenance of peace.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“Have you ordered commercial relations at Algiers, +and around the towns, to be resumed?”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“Not yet; but I mean to do so, when you have put me +in possession of Tlemsen.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“You must know, I cannot do so until the treaty has +been approved of by the King.”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“What, then, have not you the power to treat?”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“Yes; but the treaty must be approved. That is +necessary for you, as a guarantee; for if it was only made by me, +any general who might replace me would be able to undo it; whereas, +once approved by the King, my successor would be obliged to abide +by it.”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“If you do not give me back Tlemsen, in accordance +with the stipulation in the treaty, I do not see the necessity of +making peace: we shall only have a truce.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“That is true. But it is you who will be the gainer +by the truce; for, while it lasts, I shall not destroy the +crops.”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“Destroy them, if you like: it will be all the same +to me. I will give you my full permission, in writing, to destroy +all you can. It will only be a very small quantity you can get at, +and the Arabs will still have abundance of grain.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“I don’t think the Arabs are of the same +opinion.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>Abdel Kadir now +asked how long it would be before the confirmation of the treaty +arrived from France.</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“About three weeks.”</p> + +<p><em>A.</em>—“That is rather long. At all events, we cannot +reestablish our commercial relations until after the King’s +approbation shall have arrived. Then the peace will be +definitive.”</p> + +<p><em>B.</em>—“It is only your co-religionists who will be the +sufferers; for you will be depriving them of a commerce of which +they stand in need. As for us, we can get all we want by sea.”</p> + +<p>The General, not wishing to prolong the interview, as it was +getting late, rose to take leave. Abdel Kader remained sitting, and +affected to be engaged with his interpreter, who was standing +beside him. Bugeaud, suspecting his motive, took him familiarly by +the hand, and pulled him up, saying at the same time, +“<em>Parbleu</em>, when a French General rises, you may as well +rise too—you!”</p> + +<p>Thus ended this singular meeting, at which the French General +had merely gratified an idle, though pardonable, curiosity; but +which, from the premeditated delays and misunderstandings that +immediately preceded it, gave Abdel Kader the immense advantage of +appearing in the eyes of his countrymen as a grand personage, who +kept even the leaders of the infidels awaiting his good pleasure +and convenience. Abdel Kader, after shaking the General again by +the hands, now vaulted into his saddle; and both armies moved off +the ground to the strains of martial music, the Arabs shouting +enthusiastically—“Long live our Sultan, Abdel Kader! may God ever +make him victorious!”</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span><a id= +"c09"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1838.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">The</span> Treaty of the Tafna was +warmly applauded by the French Government, who regarded it as a +master-stroke of policy. The French people looked on it as a +humiliation. The former boasted that Abdel Kader from being an +enemy had been transformed into an ally. The latter saw in it the +criminal surrender of a French province to a rival power. To Abdel +Kader it was the corner-stone of the edifice he had so long been +laboriously and perseveringly constructing.</p> + +<p>For years a double duty had been imposed on him—on the one hand, +that of moulding into shape and consistency the discordant +materials which lay scattered around him, appeasing feuds, allaying +discords, and quelling insurrections; on the other, that of boldly +confronting the formidable attacks of an enemy, immeasurably his +superior in all the means and appliances which raise war to the +dignity of a science. Relieved from external pressure, he was +enabled to grapple with his whole and undivided strength against +internal difficulties.</p> + +<p>He now stood face to face with a people who looked on their +emancipation from a foreign yoke as the signal for unbounded +licence, whose only idea of liberty was freedom from restraint, and +who, while they recognised and even obeyed the genius which had +risen up amongst them, when directed against their foes, shunned +and dreaded it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> when +brought to bear upon themselves. Whole tribes of Arabs, now freed +from the harassing excitement, the heavy demands, the constant +liabilities, the ever-recurring hazards and uncertainties of a +state of war, seemed bent on resuming, each in its little sphere, a +separate and independent existence.</p> + +<p>Thinking only of their selfish and individual interests, and +unable to comprehend that a continuance of their newly-acquired +independence could only be upheld by a continuation of those +sacrifices which had enabled them to achieve it, these little +democracies could see no use or occasion for a central government, +and grudged contributing towards the expenses necessary to support +it.</p> + +<p>The extensive organisation which Abdel Kader contemplated, which +he was already carrying out, and which could alone consolidate a +power capable of permanently resisting external attacks—and in his +keen foresight he felt that they were only temporarily +suspended—manifestly required the enforcement of certain imports +throughout the vast extent of country now committed to his +charge.</p> + +<p>The short-sightedness and avarice of the Arabs prevented them +from seeing any such necessity, and although Abdel Kader never in +his life exacted from his subjects more than the <em>ashur</em> and +the <em>zekka</em> (all other imports, including custom-house +duties, being held in abomination by the Koran), yet the recusants +had a line of argument always ready to exonerate themselves from +the obligation of paying taxes.</p> + +<p>“They wanted,” they said, “no legislature; they could manage +their own concerns. If the war should break out again, then it +would be time enough for the Sultan to call on them to pay their +contributions, but why were they to pay them<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_111">[111]</span> in time of peace? That the Turks should +have been always craving for money was natural and comprehensible. +The Turks had harems of a hundred women each, dancing girls, hybrid +boys, and all sorts of combinations of profligate expenditure to +maintain.”</p> + +<p>“The name of a Turk,” they argued, “was, and is, and ever will +be, as long as the pest exists, the synonym for villainy and +corruption. But what did Abdel Kader want with money? He had only +one wife. His days and nights, when not at war, were spent in study +and prayer. His gardens at Cachero were more than enough to defray +all his expenses.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader made short work with such of these reasoners as were +within his reach. Their doctrine of resistance was never permitted +to be more than a grumbling theory. But in the distant provinces, +which had lately been consigned to him, and over which he had +hitherto only exercised the influence inherent to his great deeds, +that doctrine had in many parts assumed shape and substance.</p> + +<p>In the southern parts of the provinces of Tittery, his demands +for the usual contributions were peremptorily rejected, and a +league was formed to resist their payment, headed by one Ibn +Mochtar, a chief from the Sahara, near Boghar; the Beni Mochtar, +the Beni Nail, the Beni Mousa, the Beni Abid, the Zenekara, +presented a formidable confederacy. Abdel Kader saw that he had not +a moment to lose. He felt that he must at once crush the +opposition, or resign his sceptre.</p> + +<p>Summoning contingents from his faithful tribes in the province +of Oran, so as to form an effective force of 8,000 cavalry and +1,000 infantry, he ordered Ibn Allal, his Khalifa at Miliana, to +meet him in the country of the Zenakera, with all<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> the regulars and irregulars +under his command. The whole force when assembled constituted an +array of 12,000 cavalry and 2,000 infantry, with some pieces of +cannon.</p> + +<p>On his way to the place of rendezvous, he passed by Mascara. His +wife, who had not seen him for many months, sent messengers begging +him to turn aside, though only for a day. He stoically replied, he +was wedded to his country, and went on. Such was the intensity of +his purpose and the all-absorbing influence of his devotion to his +duty, that more than two years at one time elapsed without his +allowing himself time to go and see his family.</p> + +<p>Before resorting to force, Abdel Kader attempted persuasion. He +wrote a letter to the disaffected tribes, in which he conjured +them, in the name of the Prophet, to obey the law; to imitate the +tribes of the north and west in their obedience, and to beware of +the pernicious counsels of designing men. In the same document he +promised to overlook the past, if, returning to better sentiments, +they came and presented themselves before him with “horses of +submission.” “Do not trust in the number of your warriors,” he +concluded, “for were the number double I should overcome them; God +is with me, and Him I obey. Do not flatter yourselves you can +escape me. I swear you are no more to me than a glass of water in +the hands of a thirsty man.”</p> + +<p>The letter had no effect, and Abdel Kader advanced to the +attack. The battle lasted for three days. Finally the rebels gave +way, and dispersed. The Beni Antar held out for some days behind +entrenchments which they had thrown up, over what they conceived to +be impregnable heights, in the fastnesses near Boghar; but they +also were ultimately reduced.<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_113">[113]</span> Ibn Mochtar surrendered, and, coming in +person, craved the Sultan’s mercy. Not only did he obtain grace, +but, to his surprise, he was named the Sultan’s Khalifa over the +subdued tribes. He was ever afterwards one of Abdel Kader’s most +faithful adherents.</p> + +<p>Success, as usual, was followed by fresh submissions. All the +tribes along the southern frontiers of the province of Constantine +sent deputies to the Sultan, inviting him to come amongst them. His +moderation and good faith, as well as his loyal adhesion to the +treaty of the Tafna, alone prevented him carrying his standards to +the walls of Constantine itself.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader now returned to Medea. His entry was triumphal. For +miles ere he reached the gates, the road was thronged with +thousands who had flocked from all the villages round about to +feast their eyes on the mighty chief whose fame had long been made +familiar to their imaginations. Shouts of “Long live our victorious +Sultan Abdel Kader!” resounded in the distance, and heralded from +afar his approach to the city. There fresh tokens of enthusiasm +awaited him. Garlands of flowers were strewn on his path, and +perfumed waters sprinkled on his head. He rode straight to the +mosque, entered, prayed, and preached. For weeks presents and +offerings poured in from all parts. The great Sheiks, the +Marabouts, the Cadis of Tittery, and several even from Oran, headed +by the Khalifas of districts, came in state to offer their +congratulations to the victorious Sultan. It was now considered by +many that Abdel Kader had reached the pinnacle of greatness. He +himself was seriously contemplating a retirement into private life. +But much remained to be done before he could conscientiously resign +the task he had sworn to accomplish.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>His whole +attention was now turned towards an obstacle which had long chafed +and ruffled his soaring spirit. Far away to the south of the great +Sahara, in the province of Laghouat, about two hundred miles from +Oran, ranged ten powerful and numerous tribes, called the Beni +Arasch. They had hitherto, amidst all the battle and turmoil which +had been raging in the north, kept coolly aloof from the exciting +contest in which their countrymen had been engaged. Abdel Kader had +frequently summoned them to send their cavalry contingents, but in +vain.</p> + +<p>Their principal chief and Marabout, El Hadj Mohammed ibn Salem +il Tejini, refused altogether to entertain the idea that there was +to be an Arab Sultan in the land. He accordingly left all Abdel +Kader’s letters unanswered, and disdained even to receive his +orders for the delivery, to his agent, of the legal contributions; +secure, as he thought, in his distance, his fortress, and his +sands, he set Abdel Kader at defiance. His confidence, at the same +time, was increased by his possession of a town, strongly fortified +after the fashion of the Arabs, called Ain Maadi.</p> + +<p>This place had been repeatedly besieged by the Turks, and with +repeated failures. In 1826, the brother of Tejini had even attacked +the Turks in their turn, and had menaced Mascara. Already had he +gained a footing in the town, when Hassan Bey, of Oran, came to its +relief. Tejini drew off his forces to the plain of Eghrees, and +there gave his adversary battle, but was defeated and slain. Hassan +advanced on Ain Maadi; but Hadj Mohammed, who had succeeded his +brother in the command of the tribes, compelled him to retire. From +that day, Mohammed Tejini had comported himself as a small +independent sovereign.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>Ain Maadi +contained only three hundred houses; but it had its kasbah, or +serail, and was surrounded by thick walls, flanked with towers. +Gardens spread around it; and these, also, were capable of defence. +The spring of Ain Maadi, from which the town took its name, though +at some distance, poured its limpid stream, by means of a canal, +into the kasbah. Wells of rain water supplied the wants of the +inhabitants.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was still at Medea, when a certain Hadj Aissa, of +Laghouat, came, accompanied by several chiefs of the Beni Arasch, +to offer him presents, and “horses of submission.” The Hadj +announced, that owing to the influence he exercised over the +majority of those tribes, they most of them desired to acknowledge +Abdel Kader as their Sultan, and that he had only to show himself +amongst them to be joyfully received. Abdel Kader, flattered by an +adhesion which gave so satisfactory a testimony to the influence of +his name in the province of Laghouat, appointed the Hadj his +Khalifa over that oasis of the south, gave him proclamations for +distribution, in which he called on the Beni Arasch to obey his +lieutenants, and dismissed him with the assurance that he would +shortly come in person to receive the proffered allegiance.</p> + +<p>The time had now come when he could strike a blow at Tejini. On +the 12th of June, 1838, he advanced towards Ain Maadi at the head +of 6,000 cavalry, 3,000 infantry, six mortars, and three +field-pieces. The place was reached after a tedious march of ten +days over large sandy wastes. Tejini, taken by surprise, and having +made no preparations for sustaining a siege, had barely time to +shut the gates and,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> +organise, as well as he could, the 600 Arabs who were at the moment +within its walls.</p> + +<p>For some time he attempted to defend the gardens with +skirmishers led out at night, and able, by their knowledge of the +localities, to harass the enemy in his approaches. These endeavours +gradually failed. The besieged were confined within their ramparts. +The Sultan ordered all the trees to be cut down. Batteries were +erected in the spaces thus obtained; and the fire commenced. On the +fourth day, the European engineer, who commanded this operation, +declared the breach that had been made to be practicable. A +storming party was told off; but on the morrow, the breach was +found to have been repaired. Again and again the process of +breaching and repairing was mutually effected.</p> + +<p>On the fifteenth day, Abdel Kader challenged Tejini to come out +and fight him in presence of both armies drawn up to witness the +encounter; and proposed that the fate of the place should depend on +the result. Tejini, though young and brave, prudently declined the +test. Abdel Kader now commenced mining. The mine in due time +reached the walls. Tejini made a countermine; and in these mines +several serious encounters took place.</p> + +<p>In this manner the siege was prolonged for months; the brave +defenders, the while, were eking out their existence from their +small stores of corn and barley, which now barely sufficed to keep +them from starvation. The besiegers, on their side, were dependent +for their supplies on the arrival of convoys from the north; and +these convoys, even, were liable to be intercepted. More than 2,000 +cavalry were constantly employed for their protection through the +Sahara.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> Hadj Aissa +was of no use whatever. He turned out to be an impostor.</p> + +<p>Both sides were at last perishing from sheer exhaustion. Their +ammunition was all but expended. The anxiety of Abdel Kader was +intense. He had often before been in straits and difficulties; but +never had he been engaged in a struggle which involved more +important consequences. He well knew that if he acknowledged +himself baffled by raising the siege, he should have all the Sahara +on his hands; and he declared he would die on the spot, rather than +give in.</p> + +<p>At this critical juncture, Abdel Kader had the unexpected +satisfaction of receiving some fresh supplies of ammunition, and +three siege pieces, from his French allies. A diplomatic difficulty +had arisen as to the right interpretation of a certain article in +the treaty of the Tafna; and the Governor-General hoped to gain the +Sultan’s compliance with his version of the disputed passage, by +thus generously aiding him in his extremity. This opportune +assistance turned the scales, which were still trembling in the +balance.</p> + +<p>Tejini surrendered. On the 17th of November, 1838, a treaty was +signed between him and Mustapha ibn Taamy, the Sultan’s +brother-in-law. By this treaty, the former engaged to evacuate the +Ain Maadi in eight days, and to retire thence with his family and +his immediate followers to Laghouat. His eldest son was to remain +as a hostage in the Sultan’s camp. Abdel Kader, at the expiration +of the term, rased the town to the ground. Two tribes of the Beni +Arasch, in the immediate vicinity, at once sent in the +<em>ashur</em> and the <em>zekka</em>. The other tribes still +refused. A terrible retribution awaited them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>The following +dispatch, announcing the success of Abdel Kader, was forwarded to +Hadj il Taib, his agent at Oran:—</p> + +<p>“God having given us the mission to watch over the welfare of +Mussulmans, and to take on us the direction of all the people in +this land, submissive to the law of our Lord Mohammed (prayer and +salutation be to him), we marched into the Sahara—not to harm the +true believers, not to humble and destroy them—but to awaken their +faith, to consolidate them into a common bond of union, and to +establish order.</p> + +<p>“All listened to our voice, and obeyed as much as circumstances +would permit. El Tejini alone refused. We found ourselves face to +face with those who had been seduced by him. They were preparing to +fight us. We conjured them, for the love of God and the Prophet, to +come over to us. To this effect, we recalled to their minds several +passages of the sacred writings. All was in vain. We despaired of +their conversion. Yet we feared that if we were indulgent to them, +we should miss the object we have solely in view. This object is, +to rally all the Arabs round one common centre, to instruct the +ignorant in the law of the Prophet, to prevent the spread of evil +examples amongst them, to preserve them from the corrupting +influences of certain towns, and to enable them, their wives, and +children, to live in peace and security.</p> + +<p>“Therefore, exercising our sovereign right, and moreover being +the injured party, we ordered our victorious soldiers to fight +them. Religion ordained it. They fled before our troops. Again we +entreated them to listen to us. Again they refused. Tejini declared +that he counted on the strength<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_119">[119]</span> of his ramparts and the courage of his +followers. Then the place was closely besieged. Our miners having +reached the foot of the walls, the inhabitants, in consternation, +prayed for pardon and deliverance. Although they had deceived us +more than once, both were accorded them; for the Most High has +said, ‘Pardon and forget.’ We hope that he will remember our +conduct on this occasion, and have mercy upon us for the sake of +the blood we have spared, and the women whose chastity we have +protected.</p> + +<p>“Pardon was granted to all the inhabitants on condition that +they should leave the town and go and reside elsewhere, wherever +they chose. All have left. Tejini, with his harem and children, +have gone to Laghouat, but his eldest son remains a hostage in our +hands. May God ever grant us the victory, and preserve us from +misfortune.</p> + +<p>“Oh Mussulmans, pray to God for your Sultan. He only labours for +your welfare. Rejoice, and call on God to strengthen and confirm +him. Trust in the Divine mercy. Read the chapter of the Koran, +‘Amran,’ and say, ‘Oh Thou that rulest the universes, Thou givest +and takest away according to Thy will, and Thou choosest and Thou +raisest up, at Thy good pleasure. In Thy hands is all good. Thou +alone art all powerful. Thou changest the night into day, and the +day into night. Thou bringest forth life from the midst of death. +Without any effort, Thou prosperest whomsoever Thou wilt.’ Oh +Mussulmans, seek not protectors from among the Infidel, only look +for them amongst the true believers.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader returned to Mascara. But the defiant attitude and +hostile demonstrations of the Beni Arasch, who had<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> already had the audacity to +attack his convoys, preyed upon his mind. He had, moreover, +indubitable proofs that they had been in correspondence with the +French. By the rules of the Koran, they deserved death. After +allowing his troops a few weeks’ repose, he announced an +expedition; 5,000 cavalry, and cavalry alone, were ordered to hold +themselves in readiness.</p> + +<p>On the day appointed, they assembled on the plain of Eghrees. +None knew or guessed what was to be the nature or direction of the +expedition. It was the depth of winter. Each man had been ordered +to supply himself with a bag of corn and a bag of barley, and no +more. No mules nor tents were required. At sunset Abdel Kader +appeared, mounted his horse, and led his forces at a brisk trot +towards the north-west.</p> + +<p>It soon became dark. Four men in advance carried lanterns +affixed to the points of their spears. The lanterns were lighted, +and muffled in front, but their rays streamed far away to the rear, +over the cavalcade.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a countermarch was directed, and the party bore off +towards the south-east. The previous direction had been a feint. At +midnight the troops of the expedition reached a rivulet. All +dismounted. The horses were fed. Abdel Kader and his men ground +their corn as well as they could, between stones, and making a +paste of flour and water, partook of food. After a rest of three +hours the troops were directed to remount. Again they rode on at a +brisk trot, which occasionally broke into a canter, till mid-day. +Then another short halt was made, and then again the expedition +rode on as before till near midnight, and then only were +food<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> and rest once +more taken. Thus they pursued their way for four days and +nights.</p> + +<p>As dawn broke on the morning of the fifth day, the vast +encampments of the Beni Arasch burst upon their view, spreading +away to the horizon. More than ten thousand tents covered the +plains. The Arabs were sleeping. A wild and prolonged shout roused +them from their slumbers. They rushed out to learn the cause, and +saw to their dismay a crowd of cavalry swooping down upon them like +a whirlwind.</p> + +<p>Frantic cries of “Abdel Kader, Abdel Kader!” now filled the air. +The women and children ran about screaming. The men, amazed and +bewildered, appeared to have lost their senses. Some flew +instinctively to their arms, others took to their horses. But +before they could collect, form, or rally, the storm was on them. +“Spare the harems,” cried Abdel Kader, as he led on the onslaught, +“but as for those dogs, treat them as they deserve.”</p> + +<p>Driving the Beni Arasch before them like a flock of sheep, +charging and chasing them in all directions, Abdel Kader and his +cavalry soon succeeded in securing the principal Sheiks. Moved by +their piteous entreaties and solemn assurances of future good +conduct, Abdel Kader mercifully refrained from inflicting capital +punishment. The tribes, however, were compelled to pay up, on the +spot, five years’ arrears of the <em>ashur</em> and the +<em>zekka</em>, and to furnish a contribution of 4,000 camels and +30,000 sheep. Warned by this example, the Beni Arasch became ever +after Abdel Kader’s most faithful adherents, and remained constant +to him to the last.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span><a id= +"c10"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1838.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">The</span> facility with which the +French had taken possession of Mascara and Tlemsen, convinced Abdel +Kader of the necessity of having strongholds beyond the easy reach +of their incursions. The plan which he projected and carried into +effect had the double object of resisting the French invasion, and +of cementing his own authority over the Arabs. It bears the highest +testimony to his military genius. No better explanation of this +design can be given than in the words which Abdel Kader addressed +in after times to General Daumas, who had for three years resided +at his head-quarters in the capacity of consul.</p> + +<p>“With the twofold view of imposing on the turbulent tribes of +the Sahara, and keeping myself beyond the reach of your attacks, I +had constructed on the limits of the Tell, at great expense and +amidst innumerable difficulties, a certain number of forts, which +you afterwards destroyed. They were situated, in setting out from +the west, at Sebdou; to the south of Tlemsen, at Saida; to the +south of Mascara, at Tekedemt; to the south-east of the same town, +at Taza; to the south of Miliana, at Boghar; to the south of Medea, +at Bel Kherout, south-east of Algiers; and, lastly, at Biskra, to +the south of Constantine.</p> + +<p>“I was convinced, in fact, that whenever the war +re-commenced,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> I +should be obliged to abandon to you all the towns of the central +line of the Atlas; but that it would be impossible for you, at +least for a long time, to reach the Sahara; because the transports +which encumber your armies would be a great obstacle in your way. +Marshal Bugeaud proved to me that I was mistaken; but at the time I +had only the experience of my action with his predecessors.</p> + +<p>“Nevertheless, even in face of the system pursued by Marshal +Bugeaud, you would have found almost insurmountable difficulties in +trying to reach my true line of defence, if the Arabs had only +agreed to my proposition of rasing to the ground, and utterly +destroying, the towns of Medea, Miliana, Mascara, and Tlemsen: that +is to say, the steps of the ladder by which you gradually mounted +so high.</p> + +<p>“Some argued that the French would soon re-build what I had +destroyed; others, that it would be cruel to throw down, merely in +view of an eventuality, what it had cost so much to erect. Both +sides were wrong: I ought to have followed out my own +inspiration.</p> + +<p>“Tekedemt, according to my project, was to have become a large +town—a binding centre of commerce—between the Tell and the Sahara. +The Arabs were pleased with its situation. They came there with +much pleasure, because it afforded them great advantages. It was +also a thorn I had placed in the eye of the independent tribes of +the desert. They could neither escape me, nor incommode me. I held +them by their bodily wants. The Sahara producing no crops, they +would have been obliged to come to me for food. I had built +Tekedemt over their heads. They felt it, and hastened to make their +submission.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>“In fact, from +this time, I could always come upon them unexpectedly with my +<em>goums</em> (irregular cavalry), and at least carry off their +flocks and herds, if I did not stop to take their tents. The severe +examples I made of some of the most distant tribes soon made them +give up all hopes of being able to elude me. Thus all had finished +by submitting to my authority, and regularly paying the +<em>ashur</em> and the <em>zekka</em>. I used even to send and +count their flocks, and they said not a word.</p> + +<p>“There are only four points in the desert which my authority had +not reached: Mzab, Ourgla, Tougourt, and the Souf. The Benis Sidi +Cheikh, however, had all acknowledged me. It is true I had granted +them certain privileges, and I allowed them to pay a reduced +impost; but they were a tribe of Marabouts, and it was my duty to +pay them a certain degree of deference. As to the <em>ksours</em> +(entrenched villages in the Sahara), they paid me little; nor did I +care to be strict with them. They looked on my forbearance as a +concession to their poverty. At a later period, however, I should +have made them amenable to my orders, and have brought them into +complete subjection.”</p> + +<p>Tekedemt, the town which Abdel Kader raised from its ruins, +intending to make it the capital of his kingdom, had been built by +the Romans. It is situated sixty miles to the south-east of Oran. +Judging from the remains of its walls, it must have been ten miles +in circumference. It contained two large temples. During the +prosperous days of Arab dominion in Algeria, it was a seat of +government, had a college, and produced its doctors and poets. The +wars between the Caliphs of Kerouan and Fez, towards the close of +the tenth century, doomed it to final destruction and oblivion.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>The first stone +of the new fortress was laid by Abdel Kader in May, 1836. He +himself supplied the plans for the fortifications which were to +surround it. He remitted the payment of tribute to all the tribes +within a certain distance, on the condition of their sending +labourers to assist in the construction of the ramparts. The people +of Mascara brought baskets, shovels, and pickaxes. Medea and +Miliana sent supplies of cheese and fruits of all kinds, which, +with excellent white bread, and occasionally meat rations, formed +the food and wages of the workmen. Soon houses and streets arose. A +population poured in. Families of Arabs, of Moors, of Kolouglis, +from Mascara, Mazagnan, and Mostaganem, came and settled. Old Roman +vaults were turned into stores for ammunition, sulphur, saltpetre, +brass, lead, and iron; and for all the machines, implements, and +utensils which Miloud-ibn-Arasch had bought in France for the sum +of £4,000. A musket manufactory turned out eight muskets a day, the +work of French mechanics procured from Paris at liberal +salaries.</p> + +<p>A mint struck off silver and copper coins, ranging in value from +five shillings to twopence, and bearing on one side the +inscription, “It is the will of God: I have appointed him my +agent;” on the other, “Struck at Tekedemt, by the Sultan Abdel +Kader.” Finally, twelve pieces of cannon and six mortars frowned +from the ramparts; and the defences were complete.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader superintended all the works by constant personal +inspection. M. de France, who was one of his prisoners during the +time that these works were in their highest activity, thus +describes what he saw:—“After having visited<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_126">[126]</span> the ruins, we came to a redoubt which +Abdel Kader was erecting at about two hundred paces from his +citadel. We approached the Sultan, who was reclining, in company +with Ibn About, his secretary, and Miloud-ibn-Arasch, on the ground +recently thrown up from a ditch which some men were busily +digging.</p> + +<p>“His costume is so simple, that one can hardly distinguish him +from the labourers. He wore a large straw hat, plaited with palm +leaves. The brim, tied up to the body of the hat with woollen cords +and tassels, must have been three feet in circumference. The hat +itself was at least a foot and a half in height, and looked like a +tunnel terminating in a peak.</p> + +<p>“As I passed the Sultan, he saluted me with that incomparable +grace and fascinating smile for which he is so remarkable, and +waved his hand for me to be seated. ‘To judge by the ruins,’ I +remarked, ‘the town which was formerly here must have been large +and flourishing.’ ‘Yes, it was very fine and very powerful,’ he +answered. ‘Does the epoch of its foundation remount to a very +ancient date?’ ‘Tekedemt is a very ancient town.’ ‘Do you think I +shall be able to discover any stones with inscriptions?’ ‘You will +find none. This town was never Christian. It was one of the first +cities built by the Arabs. The sultans, my ancestors, who had their +residence at Tekedemt, ruled from Tunis to Morocco.’</p> + +<p>“The Sultan then asked me what I thought of the construction of +the fortifications. I replied that they appeared to me to be well +proportioned and ably laid out, and that it was evident he had +profited by a critical examination of our block-houses. He seemed +quite pleased with my answer.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>“‘Yes,’ he +resumed, ‘with animation, I hope yet to restore Tekedemt to its +ancient splendour. I will gather the tribes in this place, where we +shall be secure from the attacks of the French; and when all my +forces are collected, I will descend from this steep rock, like a +vulture from his nest, and drive the Christians out of Algiers, +Bona, and Oran.</p> + +<p>“‘If, indeed, you were content with those cities, I would suffer +you to remain there; for the sea is not mine, and I have no ships. +But you want our plains and our inland cities, and our mountains. +Nay, you even covet our horses, our tents, our camels, and our +women; and you leave your own country to come and take that in +which Mohammed has placed his people. But your sultan is not a +horseman or a saint; and your horses will stumble and fall on our +mountains, for they are not surefooted like our horses; and your +soldiers will die of sickness; and those whom the pestilence +spares, will fall by our bullets.’”</p> + +<p>Had Abdel Kader been allowed time to complete his intentions, it +was his design to have made Tekedemt not merely a place of +strength, but a seat of learning; to have established a library and +founded a college. “But,” to use his own expression, “God did not +so will it. The books which I had brought from all parts of the +east for this institution, were taken when the king’s son seized my +smala; and to my other misfortunes was added that of being able to +mark the traces of the French column, on their return to Medea, by +the torn and scattered leaves of the books which it had cost me so +much time and pains to collect.”</p> + +<p>During the years 1838 and 1839 Abdel Kader pushed on his plans +of reform and improvement with wonderful rapidity.<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> His army, his police, his +schools, his local tribunals of justice, were all fully +constituted. His projected fortresses were completed. Manufactories +conducted by Europeans were in full operation in all his principal +towns. At Tlemsen, a Spaniard superintended a cannon foundry, which +turned out twelve and six pounders.</p> + +<p>In Miliana, an eminent French mineralogist, M. de Casse, +established a musket manufactory and powder-mills. Iron was +procured from a mine in the neighbourhood. Cloth of superior +quality was also manufactured. Mines of saltpetre, sulphur, iron, +and brass, were diligently worked. Europeans were invited to come +and settle in the country, with the right of holding freehold +property. The land seemed to be waking up from a long slumber. The +spirit of European civilisation everywhere percolated the torpid +mass, lighting up the dark places, and piercing its way into the +strongholds of ignorance and superstition.</p> + +<p>The irregular force at Abdel Kader’s disposal, during the early +part of his career, amounted nominally to nearly 60,000 men. This +included all the contingents which the tribes could, on emergency, +supply. But rarely more than a third of that number ever assembled +at one time, for the purpose of carrying out a military operation. +A finer irregular cavalry did not exist.</p> + +<p>But Abdel Kader soon discovered the incompetency of such +warriors to compete with the disciplined legions of the great +military power he confronted. But to raise regular troops amongst a +people who, even in the days of Turkish rule, had never been +harassed by a conscription, and whose nature revolted at the very +idea, was a hazardous experiment,<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_129">[129]</span> requiring great tact and circumspection. +Such a design could only be hinted at as a suggestion, not +promulgated as a command.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the following friendly invitation was posted up in +all the towns and douairs:—“Whoever wishes to be clothed in fine +cloth, and to become the son of the Sultan, let him come and engage +himself: he shall be well paid, and indulged in everything.” +Several young men were tempted by the inducement thus held out to +present themselves for enlistment; and the formation of a regular +army almost imperceptibly began.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader thus describes his military organisation:—“Besides +the contingents of tribes who rallied at my call, or that of my +Khalifas, and which constituted a powerful auxiliary force, +although merely temporary, inasmuch as I was never able to keep +them away from their tribes for any great length of time, I had +latterly a regular army of 8,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry or spahis, +and 240 artillerymen. I had twenty field-pieces, without reckoning +a large store of cannons both in iron and brass left by the Turks, +many of which, however, it is true, were unfit for service.</p> + +<p>“I could thus afford to give each of my Khalifas 1,000 infantry, +250 horsemen, two or three pieces of cannon, and thirty +artillerymen. My infantry was recruited only by volunteers; but +they were sufficient, considering my pecuniary means and the arms +at my disposal. Later, if time had been afforded me, I should have +used the French mode of raising soldiers. My religion would not +have prevented me, for a Sultan may have recourse to enrolments to +sustain the honour of his flag, and to save his country from +Christian invasion.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>“The instructors +of my regular infantry were soldiers of the <em>nizam</em>, from +Tunis and Tripoli, and French deserters. The latter became so +numerous at last as to form a battalion of themselves, and fought +against their own countrymen with a fury and desperation which was +hardly rivalled by my own Mussulmans. I distributed them amongst my +Khalifas.</p> + +<p>“As for my regular cavalry, they refused to be placed under +instructors. In their style of war they were led by an independent +pride which disdained to acknowledge a master. They knew they were +worth nothing for a shock; but they thought themselves unrivalled +in single combat, in ambuscade, surprise, and light skirmishing. It +was no dishonour to them to fly before even inferior forces; their +flight being often a mere feint. To do as much injury as possible +to the enemy without exposing themselves to loss—that was the +principle I inculcated on them.</p> + +<p>“All my regulars were armed with French or English muskets. I +got them in battles, from deserters, or by purchase from Morocco. +Every Arab found with a French musket in his possession, was +obliged to sell it to me for a sum amounting to two English pounds +sterling. He then provided himself with a <em>fusil</em> as best he +could, either in the bazaars, or, when the tribe of the desert, +coming to the Tell, inundated the country with arms from Tunis, +from Tougourt, from the Mzab, and the Oulad-Sidi-Cheikh. I made my +own powder at Tlemsen, Mascara, Miliana, Medea, and Tekedemt. I +bought a good deal, also, from Morocco, where I also procured +flints, of which our own country was completely destitute. Sulphur +came from France. Saltpetre I found everywhere.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>“During the +peace, the French sea-coast towns supplied me with lead; Morocco +yielded me a considerable quantity; and I worked a lead mine in the +Ouarsenis. But all this was very costly; so I was very sparing in +my distribution of the stores of the Beylik amongst the Arabs, who +squander away their powder without reflection, in their festivities +and games. I only deviated from this principle in favour of those +who were employed in blockading the French garrisons, or when, on +the field of battle, the ammunition ran short. I then distributed +cartridges on the spot.</p> + +<p>“At the seat of government of each of my Khalifas, I had placed +tailors, armourers, and saddlers, to make the clothing of my +troops, repair their arms, and keep up their horse-equipments. I +had also distributed many such workmen amongst the tribe, so as to +make them also ready and efficient at a moment’s call. To meet the +expenses of my administration, where everything had to be created, +and though confining myself to what was strictly necessary, heavy +imposts were indispensable.</p> + +<p>“I ordered my Khalifas to watch, personally, over everything +connected with such an important matter. They made their tours +twice a-year; once in the spring to collect the <em>zekka</em>, and +during the harvest to gather the <em>ashur</em>. During these +tours, they were expected to inspect and regulate the +administration of the Aghas, to report to me any complaints made +against them, and to superintend the working of the properties of +the Beylik.</p> + +<p>“My Khalifas were followed by a regular battalion, their Spahis, +and their irregular cavalry. The Arab people are so constituted, +that if they had not seen a display of force, they<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> would have refused to pay the +impost. After a temporary defeat, what difficulty have I not often +experienced to raise again the proper return of contributions! ‘The +Sultan,’ they would say, ‘is occupied with the Christians; he +cannot compel us. Do not let us pay; let us see what will happen.’ +What invariably happened was, that they had eventually to pay up +everything, with arrears; but nothing corrected them. The Arabs +only look to the present moment.</p> + +<p>“At the same time that I demanded from the tribes what was +necessary to support the Beylik, I endeavoured, as much as +possible, to reconcile their interests with those of the State. My +Khalifas were instructed to accept, in lieu of the impost or of +fines, articles for consumption, mules, camels, and especially +horses. With the horses I remounted my cavalry; the mules and +camels gave me means of transport; with the provisions, I supplied +my troops, or filled my magazines.</p> + +<p>“My resources were also augmented by <em>razzias</em>, which I +made whenever the tribes appealed to arms to fight out their +differences. I was resolved to be the sole arbiter of these +differences, and I had laid it down as a rule, that not a shot +should be fired without my permission. The horses, mules, or camels +which I did not immediately require were distributed amongst the +tribes, under the charge of agents, who, while they were liberally +paid, were so checked, as to be unable to defraud.</p> + +<p>“It was well I looked to the future; for the number of horses I +had to replace in my regular cavalry was immense. There is not a +man amongst these troops who had not had<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_133">[133]</span> seven or eight horses killed under him, or +rendered unserviceable. Indeed, it was not uncommon to find men who +had lost from twelve to sixteen. Ibn Yahia—that noble soldier who, +rather than survive my misfortunes, threw himself on certain death, +in my last battle with the Maroccians (Dec., 1847)—had had eighteen +horses killed under him. The emulation in this point was such, that +any horseman who passed a year without being wounded or having a +horse killed under him, was looked on with contempt.</p> + +<p>“As far as lay in my power, I also replaced the horses which my +<em>goums</em>, or irregular cavalry contingents, lost in battle. +They have had from me more than six thousand. But latterly, when I +could no longer give them horses, I allowed them, in lieu of a +horse, two camels, or thirty sheep, or a good mule. They sold those +animals, and then with the price remounted themselves at their +leisure. But, at last, I became so straitened as not even to be +able to give them this indemnity.</p> + +<p>“To form an idea of the consumption of horses—in one year alone +I gave 500 to the Gharabas of Oran, and nearly as many to the +Hagouts in the plains of Algiers. At the same time, there were many +which I never attempted to replace, either because their +proprietors were rich, or because I had no longer the means.</p> + +<p>“The flocks and cattle which came from the <em>zekka</em> were +entrusted to the tribe, under the superintendence of their Kaids. +It was the duty of these officials to take account of them and +appoint them shepherds, as well as to feed and take care of them. +These animals, in the government of each Khalifa, served to defray +the cost of guests, to support the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_134">[134]</span> poor, to assist the <em>tholbas</em> (men +of letters), and to supply my army, who had meat twice a-week. By +these means, I had begun to establish complete order in the +administration of the revenues of each Beylik. But when the war +broke out again, I was often defrauded, and the Arabs on every side +took advantage of my preoccupations. The only two Khalifas who +maintained order to the last were Abou Hamadi and Ibn Hallal; they +were dreaded from their severity.</p> + +<p>“The precautions which I have mentioned did not always suffice +for the nourishment of my army, at all the points on which it was +called on by the necessities of war to act. Therefore, as I did not +wish to burden the population with extra expenses, that might have +indisposed them towards me, I ordered <em>silos</em> (underground +vaults for corn) to be made in the territory of each Beylik. These +<em>silos</em>, placed under the responsibility of the Kaid of each +tribe, and so disposed as to escape the researches of the enemy, +contained the grain of the <em>ashur</em>, or of the state lands, +which were cultivated partly by forced, partly by paid, labour.</p> + +<p>I thus proved to the Arabs, who, from their nature, were always +suspicious, that I took nothing for my personal wants from the +imposts. I obliged them to pay for the general welfare, and they +rendered me justice for it. The <em>silos</em>, in fact, postponed +my fall. Their discovery and destruction by the French columns +decided it. When once deprived of my stores of provisions, I was +obliged to exhaust the resources of the tribe. When they felt the +pressure from both sides fall heavy upon them, their ardour for the +holy war relaxed.</p> + +<p>“As to me, what occasion was there for me to resort +to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> the public +treasury to defray my expenses? Never, up to the moment when my +private property fell into the hands of the French, did I touch the +smallest fraction of what the Arabs gave me for the public +expenses; and since that, I have only taken what was absolutely +necessary. My clothes were made by the women of my household; my +little income sufficed for the wants of my family. Even the small +surplus which was left me, I spent in assisting the poor, the +traveller, and more especially the needy among my brave +companions-in-arms who had been wounded in the holy war.</p> + +<p>“By acting thus, I could consistently call on the Arabs to make +great sacrifices; for I showed them that the <em>zekka</em>, the +<em>ashur</em>, fines, contributions—all my resources, in fact—were +scrupulously devoted to the maintenance of the public welfare. In +1839, when the war recommenced, I called upon the Arabs for an +extraordinary loan; but they contributed very slowly. I immediately +sold all my family jewels by auction in the bazaars of Mascara, +proclaiming publicly that the proceeds were to be sent to the +public treasury. The loan was then very soon advanced; and it +seemed only to be a question who should pay first.”</p> + +<p>As soon as Abdel Kader began to form a regular army, he drew up +and published a military code, containing the most minute +regulations for the discipline, pay, and clothing of his troops. +This code was read out to the different regiments twice a month. It +was interspersed with injunctions, and promises of reward for good +behaviour, of which the following may be taken as an example:—</p> + +<p>“It is indispensably necessary that a chief should be personally +brave and courageous; that he should be of a good<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> family, irreproachable in his +morals, strictly religious, patient, enduring, prudent, prompt, and +intelligent in the hour of difficulty and danger; for the officer +is to his men what the heart is to the body; if the heart is not +sound, the body is worthless.</p> + +<p>“A soldier who throws himself dashingly on the enemy’s ranks, +disables and disarms his foe, or, by rallying the men when on the +point of retreating, prevents a panic by his example and presence +of mind, shall be decorated by the Sultan himself before the whole +army; and his heroism shall be proclaimed by beat of drum.”</p> + +<p>The decoration thus conferred varied in appearance, according to +the bearer’s merits. It consisted of a silver or silver-gilt hand +with extended fingers. The number of fingers extended notified the +number of acts of bravery performed. Each finger extended entitled +the bearer to extra pay, amounting to a shilling a month. In the +centre of the decoration was inscribed the words +<em>Nusr-ed-deen</em>, or “the triumph of religion.” It was worn, +not on the breast, but affixed to one side of the hood of the +burnous. It was sometimes also given to civilians who had rendered +great administrative services.</p> + +<p>The uniform of the foot soldier was dark blue, with scarlet +pantaloons, a brown capote, and a small cap and turban. His pay +amounted to nine francs a month. On the right sleeve of each +commanding officer were embroidered the words, “Patience and +perseverance are the key to victory;” on the left, “There is no god +but God, and Mohammed is his Prophet.” Embroidered on his right +shoulder of the Aga, in place of an epaulette, were marked the +words, “Nothing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +profits like piety and courage;” on the left, “Nothing is so +injurious as discussion and want of obedience.”</p> + +<p>All the officers throughout the army had inscriptions of a like +tendency embroidered on their uniforms. The spahis, or regular +cavalry, were clothed in scarlet exclusively. Their colonels wore +the device, “Trust in God and the Prophet—charge and conquer;” +those of the artillery, “I can effect nothing: it is God who +directs the shot.” Thus was religion, its duties and its efficacy, +placed ever prominently forward by Abdel Kader, not only in his +army, but in his whole administration, as the indispensable +foundation and support of human exertion.</p> + +<p>The following allusion to himself, with which his military code +closes, placed him before his officers and men as a model to be +copied and emulated. Nor was there any exaggeration in its +expressions.</p> + +<p>“Il Hadj Abdel Kader cares not for this world, and withdraws +from it as much as his avocations will permit. He despises wealth +and riches. He lives with the greatest plainness and sobriety. He +is always simply clad. He rises in the middle of the night to +recommend his own soul and the souls of his followers to God. His +chief pleasure is in praying to God with fasting, that his sins may +be forgiven.</p> + +<p>“He is incorruptible. He never takes anything out of the public +funds for himself. All the presents which are brought to him he +sends to the public treasury; for he serves the State, not himself. +He neither eats, nor drinks, nor dresses, but as religion ordains. +When he administers justice, he hears complaints with the greatest +patience. A smile is always on his face for the encouragement of +those<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> who approach +him. His decisions are conformable to the words of the sacred book. +He hates the man who does not act uprightly; but honours him who +strictly observes the precepts and practises the duties of +religion.</p> + +<p>“From his boyhood he learned to mount the most fiery horse +without a teacher. He never turns before an enemy; but awaits him +firmly. In a retreat he fights like a common soldier, rallying his +men by his words and example, and sharing in all their dangers. +Thus, brave, disinterested, and pious, when he preaches, his words +bring tears into all eyes, and melt the hardest hearts. All who +hear him become good Mussulmans.</p> + +<p>“He explains the most difficult passages of the Koran and of the +Hadeeth (Traditions) without referring to books or Ulemahs. The +most learned Arabs and the greatest Talebs acknowledge him as their +master and teacher. May God increase his nobleness of character, +his wisdom, his learning, his understanding, his honour, glory, and +success, a thousandfold!”</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span><a id= +"c11"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1838-1839.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Abdel Kader</span> now saw himself +the founder of an empire. The strength and versatility of his +genius had given cohesion and compactness to elements the most +adverse and discordant. Hundreds of tribes bowed beneath his +warlike sceptre. On all sides were seen the good results of order +and good government. His external relations attested the magic of +his power, and the splendour of his fame. Sovereigns and Viceroys, +from the Emperor of Morocco to those of Egypt, Tunis, and Tripoli, +vied with each other in tendering him marks of respect and +admiration. The Ulemahs of Mecca and Alexandria watched with holy +joy and expectation the career of one who seemed destined to revive +the pristine glories of Islam.</p> + +<p>Burning to accomplish his secret mission in its fullest extent, +Abdel Kader lost not an hour, by day or by night, in planning, +arranging, and executing new schemes of progress and improvement. +To make the Arabs of Algeria one people, to recall them to the +strict observance of their religious duties, to inspire them with +patriotism, to call forth all their dormant capabilities, whether +for war, for commerce, for agriculture, or for mental improvement; +and then to crown the whole with the impress of European +civilisation—such was his mighty and comprehensive ideal.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span>His amazing +activity, vigour, and enterprise, had overcome difficulties +apparently insuperable. His victorious sword, whether striking down +the enemy from without, or his rivals from within, had proved the +indomitable energy of a will which had but to conceive in order to +accomplish. He was now to show that he could achieve victories +without soldiers, and reap laurels unstained by blood.</p> + +<p>Warrior, orator, diplomatist, statesman, and legislator, the +secret of his force lay in his intellectual grandeur. His letters, +his speeches, his conversations, all bear the stamp of their own +peculiar freshness and originality. His natural eloquence, enriched +by study, matured by meditation, and enhanced by the singular +charms and graces of his manner, operated like a spell.</p> + +<p>The provinces of Oran and Tittery, the plains of the Sahara, had +been won by his military prowess. The grand Kabylia, that superb +range of the Djurjura, extending towards the east, from Algiers to +Borigia, was now to be the scene of a nobler triumph, one gained by +the exhibition of moral power. The hardy Kabyles inhabiting those +regions had defied every attempt to subjugate them. As independent +republics, bound together by the most exalted spirit of freedom, +they had preserved their usages, their customs, their laws, intact +amidst the changing governments which had risen and fallen around +them.</p> + +<p>It was clear that this nursery of soldiers, if once brought +under his control, would give Abdel Kader a never-failing element +of support, and if necessary, of aggression. Alone, he determined +to effect by persuasion what others had failed to achieve by the +force of arms. In September, 1839, he suddenly<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_141">[141]</span> appeared at Borj Hamze, followed by only +50 cavalry. His faithful Khalifa, Ben Salem, was by his side. To +the question, what the Sultan proposed to do, the answer was, “To +conquer the Djurjura!” The expedition set forth.</p> + +<p>The first slopes were rapidly passed. The appearance of the +little cavalcade, as it plunged into the deepest ravines and +gorges, or ascended almost perpendicular heights, spread surprise +and astonishment amongst the mountaineers, gazing from their huts +and precipices at the unwonted spectacle.</p> + +<p>Presently the rumour spread that Abdel Kader was there. The +magic name resounded from rock to rock. From their valleys, their +dells, their fastnesses, the Kabyles came streaming forth to hail +their famous guest. Thousands at length gathered about his tent. +The press of Sheiks and Marabouts blocked up the entrance. The +people crowded round, some rudely intruding themselves, by lifting +up the folds of the tent to gratify their curiosity. The escort +pushed them aside with the words, “Back with you! you are going to +smother our master.” Abdel Kader saw their disappointment. “Let +them approach,” he mildly said, “let them approach; they are rough +and wild like their mountains. Excuse them, you cannot change their +natures in a day.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader now demanded to see the chiefs who commanded them. +“We obey our <em>Ameens</em> and our <em>Marabouts</em>,” was the +reply. The <em>Ameens</em> came forward to pay their respects. +“Which of them represents the whole?” “We have no single chief,” +responded the jealous republicans, “to whom we delegate our power. +Our <em>Ameens</em>, chosen by the popular voice, express the +general will.” Abdel Kader<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_142">[142]</span> ordered a space to be cleared, and bade the +throng sit down. A large circle was formed. He stood in the midst, +with a string of beads in his hand.</p> + +<p>And now, in one of those stirring harangues which convinced the +understanding, and melted the hearts of all who heard him, Abdel +Kader adjured them to rally round his standard. He came not, he +said, amongst them, like the Turks, with the emblems of brute +force; he came amongst them as a simple pilgrim, relying on the +cause he upheld, the cause of God and his Prophet. In a hundred +glorious combats, glorious for Islamism, he had defeated the +infidels, who strove to subdue their land. All the west obeyed his +laws, and if he chose, it would be as easy for him to roll the west +on the east, as to roll up the carpet on which he stood.</p> + +<p>“If you tell me that the east is stronger than the west,” he +continued, “I reply, God sends me victory, on account of the purity +of the motives which guide and direct me. You know, besides, what +is written in the Koran, ‘Elephants are subdued by flies; lions +have been killed by mice.’</p> + +<p>“Be assured, that if I had not firmly opposed the invasions of +the French, if I had not shown them their weakness and impotency, +they would have dashed over you before this, like a raging sea, and +then you would have seen what neither times past nor times present +has ever witnessed. They have left their own country merely to +conquer and enslave ours. But I am the thorn that God has planted +in their eyes, and if you will assist me I will drive them into the +sea.</p> + +<p>“Otherwise they will subjugate and humiliate you. Be grateful to +me, then, that I am their mortal enemy. Rouse yourselves, O +Kabyles! Awake from your apathy. Believe<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_143">[143]</span> me, I have at heart no other wish than that +of the happiness, welfare, and prosperity of Mussulmans. All I +exact from you this day is, obedience and concord, and the strict +observance of our sacred law, that we may triumph over the infidel. +And to support our armies, I only demand from you what is specified +and ordained by God, the Master of the universe.</p> + +<p>“I wish not to change your customs, or alter your laws and +usages; but the conducting of warlike operations demands a chief. I +summon you to join the Holy War. Choose a chief. I recommend you +Ben Salem. If you choose him, he will be like a compass for you in +the hour of danger and trial. I call God to witness the truth and +sincerity of my words. If they do not find their way to your +hearts, you will yet repent one day; but that repentance will be +too late. It is by reason and not by force that I seek to convince +you. I pray God to direct and enlighten you.”</p> + +<p>A general shout arose: “Give us Ben Salem, give us Ben Salem. +Take the <em>zekka</em>; take the <em>ashur</em>. Lead us against +the infidels. We are your children, your soldiers, your +slaves!”</p> + +<p>After installing Ben Salem as his Khalifa in the Djurjura, +amidst much pomp and rejoicing, Abdel Kader continued his peaceful +tour throughout that hospitable land. For thirty days his progress +was one continued scene of rejoicing. Whenever it was known that he +had halted, the simple-minded and enthusiastic mountaineers poured +in with their <em>diffas</em>, or enormous plates of rice, +sprinkled over with bits of meat: each one placing his +<em>diffa</em> before the Sultan’s tent, and insisting on his +partaking—“Eat, it is my <em>diffa</em>.” To avoid<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> giving offence, Abdel Kader +was obliged to taste each plate successively.</p> + +<p>This short excursion had been sufficient to make him known and +appreciated. The courtesy and affability of his manners, his +well-known piety, his fame as an Ulemah, the venerated title of +Hadj and Marabout, his brilliant renown as a warrior, his eloquence +as a preacher, all combined to make his appeal irresistible. Not +one of those fierce and indomitable mountaineers who saw and heard +him could escape the influence of this extraordinary combination of +advantages. Their poets made him the topic of their songs. Abdel +Kader bade them adieu. With difficulty he escaped from their +friendly and hospitable importunities; but at length he departed. +The Djurjura had been conquered; and Abdel Kader could say, like +Cæsar, “<em>Veni, vidi, vici.</em>”</p> + +<p>Unwearied in his exertions to elevate, as well as to mould and +direct, the national character of the Arabs, Abdel Kader had early +established a system of public education amongst all the tribes. +“My duty,” he afterwards said, “as sovereign and as Mussulman was +to support and exalt science and religion. In the towns and +throughout the tribes I opened schools, where children were taught +their prayers, where the first and most important precepts of the +Koran were inculcated, and where reading, writing, and arithmetic +were fully taught.</p> + +<p>“Those who desired to push their education further were sent, +free of expense, to the <em>zouias</em> and mosques. There they +found <em>tolbas</em> ready to instruct them in history and +theology. I appointed the <em>tolbas</em> a salary according to +their learning and deserts. So important did it appear in my eyes +to give<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +encouragement to learning, that more than once I have remitted +sentence of death to a criminal from the mere fact of his being a +<em>tolba</em>. It requires such a long time in our country to +become well instructed, that I had not the courage to destroy in +one day the fruit of years of laborious study.</p> + +<p>“The occupant of a cot may cut down a palm-tree which incommodes +him; but how many years must he wait before he can taste the fruit +of one that he plants!</p> + +<p>“In order to assist the studies of the <em>tolbas</em>, I took +the greatest pains to prevent the destruction of books and +manuscripts. I had the more reason for being so anxious in this +respect, as with us it takes months to make a single copy. I +therefore gave strict orders throughout the towns and tribes that +the greatest care should be taken of all manuscripts, and that if +any person were found destroying or defacing one, he should be +severely punished.</p> + +<p>“Knowing my wishes on this point, my soldiers even were in the +habit of carefully bringing in to me any manuscripts which fell +into their hands in a <em>razzia</em>; and in order to stimulate +their zeal in this respect, I always gave them a handsome reward. +By degrees I made a large collection of such manuscripts, and had +them safely deposited in the <em>zouias</em> and mosques, and +entrusted to the care of <em>tolbas</em> in whom I had +confidence.</p> + +<p>“In the same way as I provided for a system of public +instruction, I established the administration of justice. The +<em>kadis</em> had a monthly salary, besides perquisites, for the +performance of certain duties. I desired that the representatives +of justice should be seen everywhere, and even that they should +follow my army on its march. The Turks put to<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_146">[146]</span> death by caprice and cruelty: I allowed +no execution to take place except by virtue of a sentence given +according to the law of God, of which I merely considered myself +the executor.</p> + +<p>“Thus, wherever my columns went, they were accompanied by a +<em>kadi</em> and two assistants, one of whom (the chief of the +police) carried the judgments into execution. He was not looked +upon with aversion on that account, since it is not the executioner +who kills, but the law. No doubt many have suffered by my order, +but never without a legal sentence. All had committed crimes of +some sort, or betrayed their religion. Now, according to our books, +whoever aids the enemy with his goods, forfeits his goods; and +whoever aids him with his arms, forfeits his head.</p> + +<p>“Thanks to the vigilance of my khalifas, of the agas and the +kaids, and to the responsibility which I had attached to the tribes +for all crimes or thefts committed on their territory, the roads +had become perfectly secure. The vigilance of the police left +nothing to be desired. In a word, amongst a people living under +tents, and consequently difficult to manage and control, owing to +the vast spaces over which they were dispersed, I had arrived at +such a point that horse-stealing by night was no more known; and a +woman could go about alone without fear of being insulted. When +comments were made on this great result, and the reason asked, the +Arabs replied, ‘The Sultan’s nets are there, we need not use our +own.’</p> + +<p>“The public morals were equally stimulated by my reforms. +Prostitution was severely repressed, and if God had willed it, I +should have ended by restoring the Arabs to the path of the Koran, +from which they had so widely deviated.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span>“I had totally +forbidden the use of gold and silver on the clothes of the men, for +I abhorred the prodigality and luxury which enervates. I only +tolerated such ornaments on weapons and on harness. Should we not +cherish and adorn what so much contributes to our safety? The women +were not included in this prohibition. The weaker sex requires +compensation, when man has all the excitements he can desire—war, +the chase, mental occupation, government, religion, science.</p> + +<p>“I was the first to set an example, by wearing clothes as simple +as the meanest of my servants. If I did this, it was certainly not +in the fear of being a mark for the balls of the enemy, but because +I wished to be able to exact from the Arabs nothing but what I +practised myself, and to show them that in the eyes of God it was +better to buy arms, ammunition, and horses to make war, than to be +covered with fine and expensive, but useless, ornaments.</p> + +<p>“Wine and gambling were severely interdicted. Tobacco was +likewise prohibited. Not that the use of tobacco is forbidden by +our religion, but my soldiers were poor, and I was anxious to keep +them from a habit which has a tendency to increase, and which +sometimes reaches such a pitch that men have been known to leave +their families in misery, and to sell even their clothes, to +gratify their passion for it. There was smoking still, but it was +only occasionally, and even then in secret. This was already a +great step gained. As to the Marabouts, the <em>tolbas</em>, and +all who were attached to the government, they renounced the +practice of smoking completely. This fact shows, at all events, in +what a measure I had succeeded in being obeyed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>“Such was +already the extent and success of my organisation; and considering +the short space of time which had as yet been allowed me, the +reforms were not inconsiderable. They proved, at all events, what I +should have ultimately effected. But the son of the French king +came with an army from Constantine, and without giving me the +slightest notice, traversed the territory which was incontestably +mine by the Treaty of the Tafna, fought with the contingents of my +Khalifa Ben Salem, at Ben-Hinny, and was thus the cause of the +renewal of hostilities.”</p> + +<p>It was only by his own constant and unremitting personal +supervision that Abdel Kader was enabled to carry forward and +complete his extensive plans of reform and amelioration. Ever on +the move, reviewing his troops, visiting his arsenals, examining +his schools, administering justice, the young Sultan of the Arabs +seemed to embody the principle of progress, and, like a beneficent +genius, to scatter the blessings of knowledge, security, and +contentment through the land.</p> + +<p>As soon as it was known that he had arrived in a district, the +tribe all hastened to pay their visits of ceremony and respect, +vying with each other in their profuse and generous hospitality. +Each tribe was preceded by its Kaid on horseback. Then came the +men, women, and children, walking two and two, bearing on their +heads plates of the national dish—the <em>couscoussia</em>. The +more wealthy Arabs formed a procession apart, carrying whole sheep, +spitted and roasted on a stake.</p> + +<p>On reaching the Sultan’s tent, before which thirty negroes +always stood in attendance, the plates were ranged along the +ground, and the stakes stuck in a row, until the Sultan +had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> signified his +acceptance of the offering, when they at once became the perquisite +of his train and escort. The sheiks then entered and kissed hands. +Each brought the tribute of his tribe, or produced receipts for its +payment, from the khalifa within whose jurisdiction his tribe +resided. The commonalty were then admitted and did obeisance. If +the day was a Friday, Abdel Kader came forth and preached.</p> + +<p>As long as the Sultan remained in any place, he was the sole +dispenser of justice. The tent door was the “King’s gate.” There he +heard complaints and redressed grievances. In criminal cases he +decided without appeal. The Koran always lay open before him. His +condemnations were motioned rather than delivered. If he elevated +his hand, the prisoner was carried back to prison. If he held it +out horizontally, he was led out to execution. If he pointed to the +ground, he received the bastinado. Civil cases were referred to the +Ulemahs. All decisions were made according to the Koran, to the +text and spirit of which Abdel Kader bowed with undeviating +reverence and submission. The Koran, in fact, was the guiding star +of his public and private life.</p> + +<p>At last, Abdel Kadir had succeeded in establishing a machinery +of government, which, by the harmonious relationship of its various +parts, gave fair promise of success and durability. The simple +hierarchy he had created was exactly conformable to the +administrative wants and hereditary sentiments of his people. The +public functionaries were few, their salaries moderate, their +spheres of action well defined. If their power was absolute, and +their sway over the public revenues extensive, the lynx-eyed +vigilance of the Chief of the State precluded the possibility of +tyranny, corruption, or abuse.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>With a just +appreciation of the beneficial effects resulting from a due regard +to the natural gradations of society, and with a thorough knowledge +of the instinctive deference paid by the Arabs to blood and +descent, he filled all his more important posts with men of noble +birth. But those thus selected were, at the same time, men of good +character and spotless reputation—examples to be followed, as well +as rulers to be obeyed. A high and lofty sense of duty and +self-respect thus came to pervade all ranks, from the apex to the +basis of the social pyramid; and religion, virtue, honour, and +morality, which had been blighted by the withering dominion of the +Turks, revived.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had now performed his task. He had beaten the +French. He had signed a glorious peace. His kingdom was a model of +order and regularity. He trusted he might now be allowed to lay +down the sceptre. He had come forward at his country’s call. He had +vindicated its choice. He now sought permission to return to that +seclusion and retirement, that life of study and devotion, which he +had so reluctantly abandoned. With this view, he wrote to the +Sultan of Morocco.</p> + +<p>After the usual titles due to sovereignty, the letter thus +proceeded:—</p> + +<p>“The people of Algeria are now united. The standard of the +Djehad is furled. The roads are secure and practicable. The usages +of barbarism have been abandoned and obliterated. A girl can +traverse the land alone, by night and by day, from east to west, +without fearing obstruction. A man even meeting the murderer of his +brother dares not retaliate, but appeals for justice to the +authorities.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>“The book of +Almighty God and the law of His Prophet are the only rules of +adjudication. Provisions for the support of our army abound, as +well as men to fill the ranks. All this must be attributed to the +blessing of God, obtained through your prayers and approbation. +Otherwise, we should have been the weakest of men for such +achievements.</p> + +<p>“We did not come forward and assume the task of government from +ambitious motives, or a desire for exaltation and power, or a love +for the vanities of this world; but (and God knows the secrets of +my heart) to fight the battles of the Lord, to prevent the +fratricidal effusion of the blood of Moslems, to protect their +properties, and to pacify the country, as zeal for the faith and +patriotism require.</p> + +<p>“We have been ever on the alert, night and day, moving through +the length and breadth of the land, in mountains and in plains; +sometimes leading forth to battle, and at other times regulating +affairs. We now beg your Highness to send one of your sons, +grandsons, or servants, to assume the reins of government; for now +there is neither trouble nor opposition from any quarter. I will be +the first to serve under him, and to exert my poor abilities to the +utmost, to counsel and advise him.</p> + +<p>“I trust to that consideration and indulgence which +distinguishes you, to accept this my prayer to be relieved from the +charge which is weighing on me.</p> + +<p>“I send your Highness some presents which have been sent me by +the King of the French, from which I have only retained a pair of +pistols. Also some of the best mules in Algeria. Their number, +together with that of the other articles, are detailed in the +account enclosed in this letter.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>“We beg you to +accept our excuses, and hope for the expression of your pleasure +and approbation. The presents will be delivered to you by my +brother, whom I have deputed in my place, to seek the honour of an +interview with your Highness, and to convey to you the dutiful +regards and assurances of devotion of your son and servant,</p> + +<p class="right pad-right2">“<span class="sc">Abdel Kader ibn +Mehi-ed-deen</span>.</p> + +<p>“<em>October</em>, 1838.</p> + +<p>“<em>Moharrem</em>, 1254.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">The words written by Brougham on +Washington might, indeed, have been admirably applied to Abdel +Kader at this remarkable juncture of his life:—“A triumphant +warrior, where the most sanguine had a right to despair; a +successful ruler in all the difficulties of a course wholly +untried; but a warrior whose sword only left its sheath when the +first law of our nature commanded it to be drawn; and a ruler who, +having tasted of supreme power, gently and unostentatiously desired +that the cup might pass from him, nor would suffer more to wet his +lips, than the most solemn and sacred duty to his country and his +God required.”</p> + +<p>Sultan Abderahman, in a highly complimentary reply, refused even +for a moment to hear of such self-renunciation on the part of one +who had shown himself so eminently fitted to command, to organise, +to renovate, and to save his country. He called on Abdel Kader, in +the sacred name of Islamism, to stand forth, as ever, the champion +of the Djehad, to complete his noble work, and to extend and +accomplish his victorious career. Finally, he begged the young +Sultan to send him his shirt, that he might hang it up in his +private mosque as a saintly relic!</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span><a id= +"c12"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1839.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Scarcely</span> had the “Treaty of +the Tafna” been signed, when its defects and inconsistencies became +apparent. It was impossible that a measure, hurried on by General +Bugeaud to a hasty and immature conclusion, solely in order to +enable him to send the troops under his command in the province of +Oran, that they might take part in the siege of Constantine, could +have had any other result.</p> + +<p>The General, defending his act in the French Chamber, during the +session of 1838, thus expressed himself:—“Much has been said about +the defects in the details of the treaty. I frankly avow there were +some, but I think their importance has been exaggerated. There is +only one of any consequence, and that is the expression, ‘as far as +the Wady Kuddra, and <em>beyond</em>.’ This word may imply, as far +as the province of Constantine. The expression is certainly vague; +but it must be remembered that I was hard pushed for time. A +steamer was waiting for my dispatch. It was absolutely necessary +that I should conclude for war or for peace.”</p> + +<p>But it was precisely the doubt hanging over the proper +interpretation of this word as it stood in Arabic, which kept open +the door for endless disputes and misunderstandings, and ended by +nullifying the treaty altogether. So hastily and inconsiderately, +indeed, had it been drawn up, that a few<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_154">[154]</span> days after the peace, when a French +detachment had occasion to go from Arzew to Mostaganem, Abdel +Kader, without opposing its march, sent to Bugeaud to remark that +the French troops had violated his territory. The complaint was +perfectly just, inasmuch as no mention had been made in the treaty +of the right of passage.</p> + +<p>The evils arising from incorrect translations are notorious. In +the diplomatic relations, between Abdel Kader and the French +authorities, more than one had occurred, which, had they been +discovered by the latter, might have entailed serious +complications. But Abdel Kader was satisfied, in general, with what +he had written in Arabic, and the French authorities with what they +had written in French, and no more questions were asked.</p> + +<p>One instance may be given. The French had always placed at the +head of their treaties, that Abdel Kader acknowledged the +sovereignty of France. Abdel Kader never dreamed of making any such +admission. It would have cost him his throne. What he had written, +in Arabic, in the article he subscribed was, properly translated, +“The Emir Abdel Kader acknowledges that there is a French Sultan, +and that he is great.” The difference is wide.</p> + +<p>In a matter of limits of territory, moreover, such matters +become of vital importance; and Abdel Kader was the last person to +yield a point, when he felt he was borne out by justice and common +sense in maintaining it.</p> + +<p>By the French version of the 2nd article of the “Treaty of the +Tafna,” France is declared to possess, in the province of Algiers, +“Algiers, the Sahel, the plain of the Metija, extending to the east +as far as the Wady Kuddra, and <em>beyond</em>.”<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> So the French chose to +translate the Arabic word “<em>fauk</em>,” which really means, +“above.” The Gordian knot which the French had made, and which they +at last unscrupulously cut with the sword, was this: they had given +themselves a limit, and yet wanted to have no limit. All their +efforts to make Abdel Kader stultify himself, by subscribing to +this solecism, were unavailing.</p> + +<p>Because the Arab Sultan maintained the absurdity of such a +proceeding, and finally threw down the gauntlet of defiance rather +than sacrifice the interests of his subjects and co-religionists, +he was held up to execration as a rebel, as a breaker of treaties, +as a man of wild and unprincipled ambition. He was treated as if he +were contending with the lawful possessors of the land; not +fighting, as was truly the case, against invaders, who had come to +its shores denying all schemes of aggrandisement, and pledged to +achieve the single object for which they came, and then +withdraw.</p> + +<p>In presence of a treaty, which each party read and construed +after its own fashion, political and commercial relations of any +durable or confidential nature were clearly impossible. An attempt, +at least, to come to some understanding was indispensable. The task +of entering on a discussion with Abdel Kader on the subject +devolved on Marshal Valée, who assumed the functions of +Governor-General in Algiers, on November 30th, 1837.</p> + +<p>The Marshal applied to the French Ministry for instructions. The +reply thus simply and categorically announces the doctrine of +appropriation. “By the words, ‘Wady Kuddra, and <em>beyond</em>,’ +must be understood, all the country in the province of Algiers +which is beyond the Wady Kuddra, up<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_156">[156]</span> to the province of Constantine. The +evidence of right, independent of political considerations, permits +no concession on that point. Since we are masters of the province +of Constantine, we cannot be without land communication with +it.”</p> + +<p>The Marshal forwarded this view of the question to Abdel Kader, +with his own comments, as follows:—“France has ceded to you all the +province of Oran, less the reserved districts; all the ancient +Beylik of Tittery, without exception; lastly, all that part of the +province of Algiers situate to the west of the Chiffa. But you can +have no pretension to any part of that province which lies to the +east of that river. As for the Beylik of Constantine, about that +there can be no misunderstanding, as it is not even spoken of in +the treaty; and, moreover, it was placed under the rule of Achmet +Bey when the treaty was signed.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader replied;—“As regards the Beylik of Constantine, +there can be no difficulty: on that point we are agreed. But it is +not so as regards the province of Algiers. Remember what happened +at the time of the treaty. I wished to limit you to the plain of +Algiers. General Bugeaud begged me to extend this limit, and I +consented. I ceded the country as far as the Wady Kuddra towards +the east, and as far as Blidah, inclusively, towards the south. The +expression, ‘as far as the Wady Kuddra and above,’ must have a +value. If not, why was it inserted in the treaty? If it signifies +anything, it must mean that you are limited to the east, as you are +to the west.</p> + +<p>“To justify your interpretation, you base your reasoning on the +necessity there is for you to have a land communication between +Constantine and Algiers. But you admit, in the<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_157">[157]</span> same breath, that Constantine was not +yours when the treaty was signed. Consequently, you clearly could +not have reserved for yourself a tract of country in anticipation +of an event which had not yet happened. Besides, is it anything +extraordinary, that you should have done towards the east, what you +have done towards the west?</p> + +<p>“Arzew and Mostaganem belong to you; yet you have not claimed or +appropriated the tract of country which lies between those two +towns. Do not let us fling ourselves into interpretations. Let us +keep to the text; and let us frankly say, that all that portion of +the province of Algiers which is not included between the Chiffa on +the west, and Wady Kuddra on the east, and the first chain of +mountains on the south, belongs to me.”</p> + +<p>“But,” answered the Marshal, “your interpretation is erroneous; +for you forget the word <em>beyond</em>, which is also in the +treaty. ‘As far as Wady Kuddra, and <em>beyond</em>’—which +evidently meant, at the signing of the treaty, up to the very +limits of the province of Algiers in that direction. But since that +time we have taken Constantine. It means now, therefore, as far as +the <em>frontiers of Tunis</em>.”</p> + +<p>Nowithstanding this pat of the lion’s paw, Abdel Kader retorted +with the coolness of a logician.</p> + +<p>“The word <em>beyond</em>,” he wrote, “signifies something; but +the Arab word <em>fauk</em> translated as you translate +it—<em>beyond</em>—means nothing at all. Let us make an experiment. +Take any twenty Arabs you choose to select, and ask them the +meaning of the word <em>fauk</em>. If they say that the natural +interpretation of this word can, by any twisting of meaning, be +made to signify ‘<em>beyond</em>,’ I will accept your +interpretation.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +Take all the territory between Wady Kuddra and the province of +Constantine. But if, on the other hand, they all decide that the +word, what you translate ‘<em>beyond</em>,’ really and strictly +means <em>above</em>, accept the proposal I make you. This proposal +is to give over to you, as a limit towards the east, the first +crest of mountains which rises <em>above</em> the Wady Kuddra.”</p> + +<p>The Marshal prudently declined the test. He might have declared +war at once; but war with Abdel Kader was not so enticing as to be +lightly undertaken. A better mode of getting over the difficulty +suggested itself. Abdel Kader was ardently engaged in the task of +organisation. Peace was indispensable to him. Attentions, +flatteries, cajolements—or, these failing, petty annoyances and +harassing vexations—might mollify or weary out his tenacious +spirit. Both were tried; but both ineffectually.</p> + +<p>In the mean time Abdel Kader was firmly establishing himself in +all the districts to the south of Tittery. With a boldness and +rapidity of movement, which paralysed and subdued, he laid his iron +hand on all the tribes on the borders of the province of +Constantine, who were known or even suspected of intriguing with +the French. He boldly occupied the disputed territory beyond the +Wady Kuddra. More than that, he made it the scene of one of those +acts of uncompromising severity, with which he visited all traitors +to the faith.</p> + +<p>A colony of Kolouglis had lately settled there, trusting for +their security to French protection. Their kaid, a Turk, had +received French investiture. Abdel Kader summoned them to break off +their treasonable connection. They refused. The French supplied +them with arms and ammunition to resist.<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_159">[159]</span> Abdel Kader swept down on them, crushed +them, and cut off the Frenchified kaid’s head. All the tribes of +the vast district of Sebaou instantly sent in their adhesion; and +the Sultan appointed Achmet Ibn Salem to be his Khalifa over +them.</p> + +<p>In the midst of these successes, Abdel Kader was threatened with +a rival. Achmet Bey, when turned out of Constantine, had taken +refuge in Mount Aures. He had commenced agitating amongst the +tribes of the district of Zab. Biskara, its capital, was in the +possession of his most implacable enemy, Farhat-ibn-Said. This +chief applied to the French for assistance to defend the country +against the Bey, promising that, in case of success, it should be +made to submit to French domination. The French were lukewarm; and +so he turned to Abdel Kader.</p> + +<p>Before entering the Zab country by force of arms, Abdel Kader +considered it expedient to inform the French Governor at +Constantine of his intention. As the friend and ally of France, he +said, he was going to quell the disturbances which had arisen +there, and save it from anarchy. Since agitation so near a French +province might prove contagious, he considered it was in the +interest of France that he undertook the expedition.</p> + +<p>Having sent this communication, Abdel Kader ordered Ibn Berkani, +his Khalifa at Miliana, to collect his forces, and march on +Biskara. Farhat received him with open arms. A combined attack was +made on Achmet Bey, who was defeated, and hid himself in the +Sahara. Farhat expected to be named the Sultan’s Khalifa over the +Zab. To his disgust, the latter appointed one of his own chiefs, +Ben Azouz, to that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> +post. In revenge, he immediately began to correspond with the +French. The correspondence was intercepted. Of his treason there +could be no doubt. He was seized, and sent in chains to +Tekedemt.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was now absolute sovereign of two-thirds of Algeria. +The country which he had newly occupied, to the south-east of the +province of Algeria, was one of the greatest utility to the French, +since the garrison of Constantine drew from it its provisions, and +they could not but feel that Abdel Kader could now at any moment +stop the supply.</p> + +<p>Well aware that all those movements would awaken the jealousy, +if not excite the alarm, of the French authorities in the regency, +Abdel Kader made a step towards setting himself right with the +French Government at home. After the treaty of the Tafna, Louis +Philippe had sent him a magnificent present of costly arms. These +gifts Abdel Kader had forwarded, as usual, to the Sultan of +Morocco. The arms he prized but little; but they enabled him to pay +a graceful tribute to one, on whose friendship and assistance he +greatly relied.</p> + +<p>Miloud-ibn-Arasch and Durand, the Jew, were now sent to Paris to +return the compliment. They took with them six splendid Arab +horses, as a gift to the King of the French. The presentation of +this complimentary peace-offering was the ostensible object of +their mission. But their secret instructions were to soften down +any acrimonious feeling which might exist on the part of the French +Government towards their master—to explain away his recent conduct +in such a manner as to leave a favourable impression—and to +procure, if possible, a confirmation of his reading of the disputed +article in the Treaty of the Tafna.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>Marshal Valée +was fully cognisant of the whole of this proceeding. In fact, he +had contrived to see Ibn Arasch for a short half-hour, on his way, +at Algiers; and during this interview he had immediately began to +argue about the true meaning of the article. Divining the real +object of the ostentatious embassy, he had written to his +Government, warning it against making any concessions which might +interfere with his own course of negotiation. The Arab envoys, +consequently, were graciously received; their horses were admired +and praised. They themselves were brilliantly entertained. All the +sights of Paris were shown them; and, in the French phrase of the +time, they were the “lions” of the day. But when they broached the +subject of the disputed article, their mouths were stopped with an +evasion or a compliment.</p> + +<p>On their return to Algiers, after their fruitless mission, the +envoys were summoned by the Marshal to an interview. He drew out of +his pocket an amended version of the treaty, in which the ground +contested was given over to the French, Abdel Kader receiving in +exchange the districts of the Beni Djead, Hamza, and Oranougla; +whilst, at the same time, the measures of corn and barley which by +the treaty he had engaged to furnish, were remitted to him. Ibn +Arasch declared he was not authorised to negotiate.</p> + +<p>The envoy was still further pressed, and he at last offered to +affix his own seal to the document, to show that personally he +acceded to the stipulation. But he positively refused to be +answerable for his master’s approval. The perplexity of the affair +was mitigated by a proposal on the part of the French to send a +commission to the Sultan, and accordingly<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_162">[162]</span> a commission started. On reaching Miliana, +the Khalifa there refused to allow the French commissioners to +proceed, without instructions from the Sultan. Ibn Arasch feigned +illness, and escaped to Mascara.</p> + +<p>The Marshal was again thrown on his own resources. He +propitiated the Emir by friendly offices. He sent him cannon and +ammunition to assist him in the siege of Ain Maadi. These timely +succours arrived there most opportunely; in fact they turned the +scale of fortune, then trembling in the balance. But no concession +was obtained. Abdel Kader felt himself in the right. He would not +be put in the wrong.</p> + +<p>He returned to Tekedemt, January 10th, 1839. His envoy, +trembling and doubtful as to the reception he should receive, +presented himself, to give an account of his late proceedings. When +Abdel Kader learnt that he had affixed his seal to a document which +gave away all for which he had been so long and so persistently +contending, he was almost beside himself with vexation and anger. +“Never,” he exclaimed, “never will I ratify a convention which +gives the French a land communication between Constantine and +Algiers, and thus lose all the advantages I have gained by their +oversight in circumscribing Algiers within a circle formed by the +sea, the Chiffa, and the summits of the lesser Atlas, immediately +above the Wady Kuddra.”</p> + +<p>The vacillating policy of the French Government had hitherto +prevented it from taking any decisive step for the settlement of +this interminable dispute. Now, it talked of confining the French +occupation to Bona, Algiers, and Oran. Anon, it announced its +intention of asserting its rights in the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_163">[163]</span> interior by force of arms. In the meantime +Abdel Kader was hourly extending his dominion. Where was all this +to end? The momentous question could no longer be avoided, and the +French Government at last determined to act. Abdel Kader it could +not reach. But his agents were within its grasp. It determined to +operate on him through them.</p> + +<p>By the treaty of the Tafna, Abdel Kader was clearly entitled to +nominate what agents he pleased, to reside near the French +authorities in all places occupied by French garrisons. These +agents were now, under various pretences, arbitrarily ignored, or +assailed with studied affronts. Some inoffensive Moors who wanted +to go and settle on Abdel Kader’s territory—a privilege which the +treaty had secured to all Mussulmans—were rudely treated and +violently detained within the French lines. A wheelwright whom +Abdel Kader had long been in the habit of employing to make +gun-carriages for him in Algiers, had his shop closed and was +expelled the town.</p> + +<p>By the 7th Article, Abdel Kader was entitled to be furnished +with whatever arms or ammunition, or materials for war, he might +require, by the French authorities, at cost price. His agent at +Algiers was expressly instructed to facilitate such a transaction. +He had been further useful in procuring for his master French +mechanics from Paris, to superintend his various internal +improvements, in strict conformity with the 10th Article. The agent +was now suddenly arrested, put into chains, and sent to France. +Abdel Kader appealed to Marshal Valée against such monstrous +infringements of his rights. He was told the Marshal had unlimited +authority, and could do what he pleased.</p> + +<p>His consul at Algiers was a certain Italian, named +Garavini,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> who was +also consular agent for the United States of America. For nearly +two years this agent had exercised this double function without +molestation. He was now informed that the French Government refused +to acknowledge him in the first capacity. Abdel Kader had just +returned from Ain Maadi when he received this notification. He +immediately penned the following letter to Marshal Valée:—</p> + +<p>“The Prince of the Faithful, who defends by arms the cause of +God, Il Hadj Abdel Kader, son of Mehi-ed-deen (whom God preserve in +his holy keeping), to the Governor of Algiers. Grace be to those +who conform themselves to the will of God.</p> + +<p>“Our consul, Garavini, has informed us that he is no longer +allowed to occupy himself with our affairs. You have written him a +letter, of which he has sent me a copy. This letter we have read, +and we have understood it. It prescribes to him to leave our +service, and announces that you wish his place to be supplied by an +Arab.</p> + +<p>“In the first place, we cannot find any Arab who could perform +his functions in such a manner as to give satisfaction to our two +nations, and promote their reciprocal interests. Garavini is a wise +and discreet man, who only upholds what may be advantageous to both +parties. In the next place, France has no right to force us to take +a consul against our will and inclination. It is for us to judge +what is best for us to do. If you wish to name an Arab as your +consul with us, do so. We shall offer no objection. Why do you +interfere with our choice of agents? Do we interfere with yours? +Your way of acting violates the sacred principles of honour which +ought to animate our respective modes of proceeding.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>“It would almost +seem that you were desirous of seeing disorders once more prevail +in the districts of Algiers and Oran. Individuals wishing to come +and reside on our territory have not only been arbitrarily +prevented, but have been fined, and thrown into prison. When our +consul, Garavini, protested against such proceedings, you disdained +to reply to him; you would have nothing to say to him. Such conduct +denotes violence of character. It shows that you desire to provoke +misunderstandings between us and the French Government. We have +chosen a Christian out of your own town, and you reject him!</p> + +<p>“However, since usages are thus violated, since we are thwarted +in what regards the good of our service, since there is evidently a +design to lower us, we are ready for a rupture as soon as it may +please you. All the world knows that we have chosen Garavini. We +shall choose no other. Write to your ministry, therefore, that we +mean to keep our consul Garavini. We expect an immediate +answer.</p> + +<p>“We hope France will send a more moderate man to command in +Algiers, a man who will let us enjoy the fruits of peace, a man who +will do what is just and reasonable. We had hoped that your mode of +acting would not have been like that of some of those erring men +who have preceded you. But if you choose to tread in the steps of +such persons, God, be assured, will make us victorious over our +enemies, over those who unjustly seek to molest us. God has said, +‘Let injustice fall on the head of its author;’ He has also said, +‘It is better to be the oppressed than the oppressor.’ As for us, +we will not deviate an inch from the treaty, if you will only abide +by it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>All the +satisfaction Abdel Kader could obtain in reply to this able and +spirited remonstrance, was that the French Government understood +the 15th Article to mean that the consuls named by the Emir should +be taken from amongst the Arabs, in the same way as the consuls +named by the French Government were taken from amongst the +French.</p> + +<p>The extensile qualities of the Treaty of the Tafna seemed, in +the eyes of the French authorities, to be as illimitable as their +own powers of constructive reasoning. But they were, as yet, as far +from their object as ever. Abdel Kader would neither be cajoled nor +bullied. All their devices had failed. Matters had come to a dead +lock.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span><a id= +"c13"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1839.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Marshal Valée</span>, +notwithstanding his repeated failures, determined to make one more +effort to obtain Abdel Kader’s adhesion to the views taken by his +Government on the disputed article. In the month of February, 1839, +Commandant de Salles was sent on a mission to the head-quarters of +the Sultan, who was then at Miliana. The object of his mission was +to induce Abdel Kader to give his sanction and approval to the +supplementary treaty, which had been signed by his enemy, +Miloud-ibn-Arasch.</p> + +<p>Although a continuation of the peace was of vital importance to +Abdel Kader, in order to enable him to complete his work of +organisation, yet to yield the disputed territory was to him a +moral and political impossibility.</p> + +<p>Politically it was impossible to him, because the territory in +question, once ceded to the French, would have given them free +means of communication between the provinces of Algiers and +Constantine, and would thereby have rendered their possessions more +compact, and proportionally augmented their aggresive power. +Morally it was so also, because, not only was it repugnant to his +own sense of honour to yield up tamely and submissively a point on +which he felt himself to be in the right, but the mainstay of his +hourly-increasing influence, gained by the almost magic success +with which he had gradually circumscribed the French to within +little more<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> than +gunshot of their own fortresses, would have been dangerously +imperilled by any such concession.</p> + +<p>He had already repeatedly pacified many anxious inquirers, by +the assurance that France would never dare to overstep the limits +assigned to her in the plain of Algiers. It was on the strength of +this assurance that the military and religious chiefs, convoked on +the Habra, had consented to the peace. Without their consent, +whatever might have been his own inclinations, he was precluded +from listening to any modification of the treaty.</p> + +<p>Already, too, sinister reports and insinuations were circulated +by the fanatical party that he was secretly paying tribute to the +French; that the infidels had received his permission to settle on +the sacred soil of Islam, and that the tolerance of such a +profanation was little consistent with his lofty boast that he +would, ere long, drive them all into the sea.</p> + +<p>Placed in this delicate position, Abdel Kader resolved on again +convoking all the principal personages in his kingdom, and again +calling on them to arbitrate on the differences existing between +him and the French Government. The French commissioner was informed +of this intention, and invited to attend the meeting, with full +permission to enounce his propositions. He accepted the invitation, +though with small hopes that he should be able to obtain from the +Sultan’s council of war, concessions which the pressure of his +Government had failed to obtain from the Sultan himself.</p> + +<p>The course of action which Abdel Kader thus adopted was, +however, the only one which afforded any prospect for a peaceable +adjustment of affairs. Marshal Valée had always ascribed Abdel +Kader’s pertinacity to his individual pride and<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> ambition. His feelings of +irritation at the manner in which all means of accommodation had +been rejected, were increased by the inward conviction that the +obstacles raised were the consequence of his adversary’s personal +caprice. Abdel Kader counted on his present proceeding to dispel +the Marshal’s delusion, if not to induce him to adopt a change of +conduct. The Marshal would discover that it was not the sentiments +of an individual, but those of a whole people, with which he was +contending.</p> + +<p>The council of war met. The French envoy spoke; but the decision +was unanimous: “War, rather than give up the disputed territory.” +M. de Salles returned to Algiers to state the result of his +mission. Abdel Kader, on his part, without waiting for further +circumvolutions of policy in that direction, appealed at once to a +higher quarter, and addressed the following letter to the King of +the French:—</p> + +<p class="center space-above15">“Praise be to the One God!</p> + +<p class="hang1">“The servant of God, Il Hadj Abdel Kader, ibn +Mehi-ed-deen, Commander of the Faithful, to H.M. Louis Philippe, +King of the French: may his reign be long, happy, and full of +glory.</p> + +<p class="space-above15">“Since the foundation of Islamism, +Mussulmans and Christians have been at war. For ages this was a +sacred obligation on both sects; but the Christians, neglecting +their religion and its precepts, have finished by looking on war +merely as a means of worldly aggrandisement.</p> + +<p>“To the true Mussulman, on the contrary, war against the +Christians is merely a religious obligation; how much more so when +Christians come to invade Mussulman territory!<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_170">[170]</span> According to this principle, I deviated +from the rules laid down in our sacred books, when, two years ago, +I made with you, King of the Christians, a treaty of peace; and +more especially when I endeavoured to consolidate this peace by +every means in my power. You know the duties imposed by the Koran +on every Mussulman prince; therefore you ought to give me credit +for having taken upon myself to relax, as regards you, the rigour +of its precepts.</p> + +<p>“But you now demand a sacrifice from me which is too formally in +contradiction with my religion to allow me to submit to it; and you +are too just to impose it on me as a necessity. You call upon me to +abandon tribes whose submission I have received; who came to me of +themselves to pay me the imposts prescribed by the Koran, and who +beseeched me, and still beseech me, to govern them. I have myself +traversed their territory, <em>which, moreover, is beyond the +limits of that which the treaty reserved to France</em>; and can +you now wish, by another treaty, that I should order those tribes +to submit to the yoke of the Christians?</p> + +<p>“No. If the French are my friends, they can never desire to +bring about a state of things which would lower and degrade their +ally in the eyes of his people. They would not for the sake of a +few miserable tribes, to govern which, themselves, or leave to +others to govern, can be of very little moment to them, place me in +the terrible alternative either of breaking the law, or of +renouncing a peace which is so desirable for us both.</p> + +<p>“But some may tell you that this consideration which forces me +to reclaim those tribes will oblige me to reclaim the Arabs of +Metija, of Oran, and of Constantine. No; for those<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> have remained, and still +remain, with the French of their own free will; and I have reserved +to myself the right of giving an asylum to those amongst them who +may become disgusted with Christian dominion. Whereas, the tribes +in question, who are not nomad, but are attached to the soil, seek +to be under my government, and are too numerous to allow of my +giving them grounds in my territory equal to those they might wish +to abandon.</p> + +<p>“Great King of the French! God has appointed each of us to +govern some of his creatures. You are in a position far superior to +mine, by the number, power, and riches of your subjects; but on +both of us he has imposed the obligation of making our people +happy. Examine, then, with me our positions; and you will +acknowledge that on you alone depends the happiness of both +people.</p> + +<p>“‘Sign,’ I am told by your agents; ‘or if you do not sign, your +refusal will be war.’ Well, I will not sign; and yet I desire +peace—nothing but peace.</p> + +<p>“In order that a treaty should be useful to your subjects, it is +necessary that I should be feared and respected by mine; for the +moment they see that, according to my good pleasure, I hand them +over to the administration of the Christians, they will no longer +have any confidence in me, and then it will be impossible for me to +make them observe the least clause in the treaty.</p> + +<p>“How can you be compromised—you, Sultan of the French nation—by +making concessions to a young Emir, whose power is now beginning to +be strengthened and fortified under your shadow? Ought you not +rather to protect me, to be indulgent towards me—me, who have +re-established order amongst tribes which were slaying each other; +who seek every day to<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_172">[172]</span> raise in them a taste for the arts and for +liberal professions? Help me, in the place of embarrassing me, and +God will recompense you.</p> + +<p>“If the war breaks out again, there will be no more commerce, +which might confer such inestimable advantages on the country, and +no more security for the colonists. There will be increased +expenses, and diminished productions. The blood of your soldiers +will be uselessly shed; it will be a partisan war to the death. I +have not the folly to suppose that I can openly make head against +your troops; but I can harass them without ceasing. I shall lose +ground, no doubt; but then I have on my side, knowledge of the +country, the frugality and hardy temperament of my Arabs, and, more +than all, the arm of God, who supports the oppressed.</p> + +<p>“If, on the contrary, you wish for peace, our two countries will +be as one; the least of your subjects will enjoy the most perfect +security amongst the tribes; the two peoples will intermix more and +more every day; and you will have the glory of having introduced +into our countries that civilisation of which the Christians are +the apostles.</p> + +<p>“You will comprehend, I am sure, what I say; you will grant me +what I ask; and what I ask is this,—that you do not see in a +refusal to sign a new treaty, the desire of recommencing war, but +rather the wish to consolidate the basis of the old one, and to +confirm a sincere friendship between our nations.</p> + +<p>“May God inspire you with an answer worthy of your power, and +the goodness of your heart.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">The almost supplicating earnestness of +this simple and straightforward letter fully evinces the anxiety +entertained<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> by +Abdel Kader at the aspect which affairs between himself and the +French were now assuming, and his sense of the vast importance to +himself of a continuation of the peace. On the 31st May, 1839, the +ministry of M. Molé was overthrown. A false report had reached +Algiers, that he had been replaced by M. Thiers, with Marshal +Gerard as Minister of War.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader immediately wrote again to the king, and, at the +same time, addressed two letters to the said ministers, with a +power of language and a form of argument, which could only have +emanated from a mind consoled and supported by the rectitude of its +intention, and a firm and unshaken reliance in the justice of its +cause.</p> + +<p class="center space-above15"><span class="sc">Letter to the +King</span>.</p> + +<p>“I have written you three letters, in which I gave you all my +thoughts; not one of them has been honoured with an answer. They +have been, doubtless, intercepted; for you are too kind and +considerate not to have given me the satisfaction of knowing what +were your true feelings and dispositions. May this, my last +attempt, meet with better success! May this exposition of what is +passing in Africa attract and fix your attention, and lead to a +system which shall conduce to the welfare and happiness of the two +populations whom God has confided to your care and solicitude!</p> + +<p>“The behaviour of your lieutenants is most unjust with regard to +me; and I cannot suppose that it is known to you; I have too much +confidence in your justice to suppose it. Endeavours are being made +to induce you to regard me as your enemy. You are imposed on; if I +were your enemy, I should already have found many causes for +commencing hostilities.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>“Since my +refusal to sign the new treaty, presented to me by M. de Salles on +the part of Marshal Valée (my motives for which I have already +explained to you in one of my former letters), there is no kind of +injustice with which I have not been assailed by your +representatives at Algiers. My soldiers have been arrested and +thrown into prison without any legal cause; an order has been given +not to allow the importation of any more iron, or brass, or lead, +into my country; my agents in Algiers have been ill-treated by the +authorities; my most important letters are answered by a simple +receipt, cavalierly handed to the horseman who bears them; letters +written to me from Algiers are intercepted.</p> + +<p>“After such treatment they tell you I am your enemy. They say +that I want war at any price—I who desire, in every way, to follow +the example of your industrious nation—I, who in spite of these +tokens of hostility, facilitate the arrival of all the productions +of my country into your markets—I who surround myself with +Europeans, in order to give an impetus to industry, and who issue +the most stringent orders that your merchants, and even your men of +science, should not only be allowed to travel all over my country +in perfect security, but be received and treated with +hospitality.</p> + +<p>“But you may be told—‘The Emir has not yet fulfilled the first +conditions imposed on him by the treaty of the Tafna.’ To this I +reply, I have only postponed the execution of these clauses, +because your representative, Bugeaud, broke, in the first place, +his engagements.</p> + +<p>“Where are all the supplies of muskets, of powder, of lead, of +sulphur, which were promised to me? Why do I still see at Oran the +chiefs of the Douairs and Zmelas, whose<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_175">[175]</span> removal to France was solemnly promised me? +Does Bugeaud think I have not yet in my possession the particular +treaty, the only one which interests me, written out entirely in +his own hand, and signed with his seal? Could I believe for an +instant that written promises from the representative of the King +of the French could possibly be invalid?</p> + +<p>“I confess, I had so high an idea of the good faith of French +Christians, that I was scandalised by their want of good faith, and +that having had no direct communication with you, I refused to sign +another treaty.</p> + +<p>“Yes, your military deputies only wish for new combats and fresh +conquests. I am certain this system is not yours. You have not +descended on the shores of Africa to exterminate its inhabitants, +nor to drive them from the country. You wished to bring them the +benefits of civilisation. You came not to make a nation of slaves, +but rather to implant amidst the people that spirit of liberty +which is the most powerful lever of your own nation, and with which +it has dowried so many other countries.</p> + +<p>“Is it by the force of arms, is it by bad faith, that your +agents will accomplish this end? Should the Arabs be at last +convinced that you have come to attack their religion and conquer +their country, their hatred will grow stronger than ever. They will +break away from my control and authority, and our mutual prospects +of civilisation will vanish away for ever.</p> + +<p>“I pray and entreat you then, in the name of God, who has +created us both, to try and understand a little better this young +Arab, whom the Most High has placed, despite himself, at the head +of a simple and ignorant people, and who is<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_176">[176]</span> falsely represented to you as being an +ambitious chief. Make him acquainted with your intentions. Above +all, communicate with him directly, and his conduct will prove to +you that he has been badly appreciated.</p> + +<p>“May God grant you the light necessary to govern your people +wisely.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">The letter to M. Thiers was couched in the +following terms:—</p> + +<p>“I congratulate France on your return to the ministry. The +important labours which formerly signalised your presence in it, +and the interest you always bear towards Algiers, make me salute +you with joy.</p> + +<p>“Your countrymen who are about me have informed me that your +post is charged more especially with watching and superintending +the prosperity of France. A part of Africa is become French. In +speaking to you of the dangers which menace the prosperity of the +two countries, I perform a duty.</p> + +<p>“Counsellor of the King of the French, it is for your +enlightenment, it is for your philanthropy, to strengthen and +consolidate a peace which France and Algiers both demand.</p> + +<p>“The despotic caprices of the agents of an honoured Government, +the failures in the execution of a treaty on the one side, leading +to similar failures on the other; and the greedy and unprincipled +ambitions of some, who aim at new spheres of riches and emoluments, +threaten to mingle French and Arab blood, when, to my belief, the +real truth is, that we all long for a peace which will bring to the +Arabs the precious results of progress and civilisation, and to +France the glory of having conferred them.</p> + +<p>“You are great for France—be so for Africa; and both<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> countries will bless you. Your +influence with a king, whose minister you are, and your counsels to +a young Emir—entirely ignorant of the intricacies of European +politics—are the materials with which you might erect a monument of +glory for your own nation, and one of happiness and gratitude for +mine.</p> + +<p>“May God assist and enlighten you, and maintain you in the high +position of which you are so worthy!”</p> + +<p>The letter to Marshal Gerard was not less admirably conceived. +It ran as follows:—</p> + +<p>“As soon as I was informed that the powerful King of the French +had made you Minister of War, I had reason to be rejoiced. I felt +that one who has nothing to add to his military glory, could never +look to the French occupation in Africa as his sole field for +military distinction. One who, like you, knows how to make war, +must also know how to make peace, and to enjoy its fruits.</p> + +<p>“This peace is menaced; and wherefore? For the sake of a few +leagues of ground, and a road impracticable from its natural +difficulties. Has not France sufficient military glory—has it not +space enough—that it should seek to acquire more at the expense of +my influence over Arabs, whom I have bound myself to keep in +submission?</p> + +<p>“My religion prevents me from violating my engagements. Why, +then, seek, without any necessity, to lower me in the eyes of my +co-religionists by calling on me to give over and place under +French administration populations, to whom it is my duty, by the +injunctions of our law, to preach the holy war? Let those who would +compel me to do so try to understand my religion, and the +obligations which it imposes<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_178">[178]</span> upon me; and then, perhaps, they may be +inclined to give me credit for the sacrifices I am making.</p> + +<p>“I approach you, then, to call your attention to the exactments +of a local administration, which I refuse to believe can be guided +in its acts by the wishes of France and of its chief. The French +are too great to inspire the vexatious meannesses to which my +subjects are constantly exposed in their relations with your +representatives at Algiers. My dignity has obliged me to suspend +these relations in part. When I saw that they were anxious enough +to take the produce of our soil, but refused to supply the iron +necessary for cultivating it, I said to them, ‘Sell, but buy no +more; God who has given us land has also placed in our mountains +all the metals which our pretended civilisers refuse us.’</p> + +<p>“I pray to God, that your powerful influence with the king may +be employed in seconding my pacific views; and that you and his +noble son may, for the sake of self-information, come and visit +this country, and meet with him whom you wrongly look upon as your +enemy. Then your penetration and your genius, finding in me only +sincerity and the desire of doing good, will assist me in +moderating, either by civilisation or by arms, the fanaticism of +populations who are only just beginning to appreciate the +advantages of peace and industry.</p> + +<p>“May God make your armies victorious so long as they fight in +the true cause.”</p> + +<p>These were noble words—words well worthy of being recorded. They +were noble in the grandeur of their appeal—noble, as indicating the +heroic struggle which rent and lacerated the breast of one +conscious of his powers, burning<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_179">[179]</span> with great designs, and painfully +oscillating between a nervous anxiety to prolong a peace which +would have enabled him to exhibit before the world a Mohammedan +kingdom at its highest possible pitch of progress and development, +and the lofty determination to abandon even this his heart’s +desire, and to waive the brilliant future, if such objects could +only be attained by a craven submission, however temporary, to the +imperious dictates of an overbearing and unprincipled ambition.</p> + +<p>Such appeals, it may be well imagined, were entirely thrown away +on a government which, finding itself entangled in a labyrinth, and +thus fettered in the realisation of its secret views, was bent on +adopting any measures likely to deliver it from its embarrassing +position, however inconsistent they might be with good faith.</p> + +<p>Thus, whilst Abdel Kader was still fondly dreaming over the +possible fulfilment of plans and projects, meant to harmonise and +combine the requirements of Mohammedanism with the advantages of +European intercourse, and the fruits of European civilisation, the +subtle and powerful enemy with whom he was coping was already +meditating a line of action which was destined, before long, to +scatter those plans and projects to the winds.</p> + +<p>Both parties, it is true, wished for peace; but whereas the one +sought for it as a temporary expedient, the other clung to it as a +vital principle. Both were bound to their respective people by +pledges and obligations, from which they could not recede. Abdel +Kader had vowed to keep the French at his sword’s point, in every +case of unjustifiable aggression. His attitude was clear and +unequivocal; it embodied the strength and the simplicity of +truth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>The French +Government, on the other hand, had officially and falsely declared +to the Chambers, that the difficulties which had been raised about +the Treaty of the Tafna had been explained to the advantage of +France, and that the possession of the disputed territory was +henceforth assured. The pen had easily traced such words, and the +mouth had freely spoken them. But it required the sword to make +good and establish this foregone conclusion.</p> + +<p>The state of doubt and uncertainty had now reached its utmost +limit. The period of compliments, of evasions, of hollow +friendship, of hypocritical alliance, had passed away. The +co-existence of Abdel Kader and France on the soil of Algeria was +henceforth impossible. Freed from the entanglements of diplomatic +garniture, the gladiators again stood face to face, ready to +descend into the arena.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span><a id= +"c14"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1839-1840.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Marshal Valée</span>, while +informing his Government of the inutility of all his efforts to +induce Abdel Kader to yield to his remonstrances, made proposals of +his own as to the best mode of action to be pursued.</p> + +<p>“The Government,” he suggested, “might either assume a defensive +attitude, protesting against the Emir’s seizure of the disputed +territory, and trusting to time and friendly offices to make him +relax his hold; or it might attack him at once; or, again, it might +place a force on the ground in question, intimating to the Emir +that such a measure was not intended as a hostile demonstration, +but merely as a joint occupation whilst the final arrangement was +still pending.”</p> + +<p>The Government accepted the last proposition, with the +modification, that, instead of the permanent occupation of Hamzé +and its neighbourhood, a corps should merely traverse the country, +and that if the Emir resented such a proceeding, explanations might +be given.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Orleans had lately arrived at Algiers. In order to +give the projected movement a greater degree of importance, it was +arranged that he should superintend its execution. An expedition +was to start from Milah, in the province of Constantine, penetrate +the pass of the “Iron Gates,” cross the disputed territory, and +thence onwards to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +Algiers. All the secrecy necessary for the accomplishment of a +stratagem of war was used in order to give effect to the +project.</p> + +<p>A demonstration was made towards Boujie. The Kabyles rushed to +that quarter to defend their country against the threatened +invasion. The Marshal and the Prince left Milah on the 18th +October, 1839, and going in an opposite direction, reached Setif on +the 21st. Here, also, the Kabyles presented themselves. Their +sheiks demanded an interview. Admitted to an audience with the +French generals, they were shown passports, bearing Abdel Kader’s +seal, authorising the passage of French troops, and they were +satisfied. These passports were an artifice—Abdel Kader’s seal had +been forged!</p> + +<p>In place of entering the Kabyle mountains, the column which had +been moved towards Boujie was countermarched, and joining the +Marshal, advanced with him in the direction of the “Iron Gates.” +The country was mountainous and intricate; but the Kabyle chiefs, +serving as guides, were all delighted to facilitate the progress of +the friends and allies of their Sultan. Under these auspicious +circumstances the expedition, amounting to nearly 5,000 men, passed +through the formidable defile of the “Iron Gates” without firing a +shot. Had Abdel Kader been there with but 500 men, they would +either never have entered it, or never emerged from it.</p> + +<p>The next day the French passed through the Kabyle tribe, Beni +Munsoor, who stared at them as if they had dropped from the clouds. +On the 31st the column reached Ben Ini. There, at last, the French +and Kabyles exchanged shots. Ben Salem, the Emir’s Khalifa over +that district, starting, as from a troubled dream, when informed of +the approach of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +French, had just had sufficient time to make a tardy and useless +demonstration against the invaders. On the 1st of November the +Prince and the Marshal made a triumphal entry into Algiers, and +were greeted with loud acclamations. The festivities to celebrate +the event lasted four whole days. A splendid entertainment was +given on the esplanade of the Bab-el-Oued to the heroes of the +“Iron Gates.” Enthusiastic toasts were drunk in their honour. A +palm wreath, plucked and woven in the pass itself, was formally +presented to the Prince. Algeria was supposed to be conquered. It +was the triumph of Caligula over the cockle-shells of Britain.</p> + +<p>The idea on the part of the French Marshal had been that Abdel +Kader might possibly write an angry letter or two on hearing of +this unexpected irruption, that explanations would be given, and +that there the matter would end. He was soon undeceived. The news +of the passage of the “Iron Gates” reached Abdel Kader at Tekedemt. +In eight-and-forty hours, by riding night and day, he was at Medea, +and on the 4th of November he sent off the following dispatch to +Marshal Valée:—</p> + +<p>“We were at peace, and the limits between your country and mine +were clearly defined, when the King’s son set out with a <em>corps +d’armée</em> to go from Constantine to Algiers; and this was done +without giving me the slightest intimation, without even writing me +a line to explain away such a violation of territory. If you had +informed me that he had an intention of visiting my country, I +would either have accompanied him myself, or sent one of my +Khalifas to do so. But, so far from that, you have proclaimed that +all the country between Algiers and Constantine is no longer under +my orders.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> The +rupture comes from you. Nevertheless, that you may not accuse me of +treachery, I give you warning that I am about to recommence the +war. Prepare yourself, then; warn all your travellers, your +garrisons, your stations; in a word, take all the precautions you +deem necessary.”</p> + +<p>To his Khalifa Ben Salem, who had written for instructions how +he was to act, he addressed words of consolation and encouragement +in the following terms:—</p> + +<p>“The rupture comes from the Christians! Your enemy is before +you. Gather up your banners, and prepare for battle. On all sides +the signal for the holy war is given. You are the man of these +parts. I place you there to bar their entrance.</p> + +<p>“Beware of being disconcerted. Tighten your waist-band, and be +ready for everything. Rise to the height of events. Above all, +learn patience. Let human vicissitudes find you impassible. They +are trials—God sends them. Such trials are blended with the destiny +of every good Mussulman who vows to die for his faith. Victory, +please God, shall crown your perseverance. Salutation from Abdel +Kader ibn Mehi-ed-deen.”</p> + +<p>In similar words of sterling import, his other Khalifas were +summoned to instant action.</p> + +<p>“Treason has burst upon us from the infidel,” wrote Abdel Kader. +“The proofs of his perfidy are glaring. He has traversed my +territory without my leave. Gather up your burnous, tighten your +waist-bands for battle—it is at hand. The public treasury is not +rich; you yourselves have not sufficient money to hand to make war. +Levy, therefore, as soon as you get the orders, an extraordinary +impost. Be quick in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> +action, and hasten to join me at Medea, where I am awaiting +you.”</p> + +<p>Valée was loth to believe that all hopes of accommodation were +irrecoverably gone, and still more loth to enter into a struggle +for which he was wholly unprepared. The French colonists in the +plain of Algiers were utterly defenceless. No precautions whatever +had been taken for their safety and protection; as if Abdel Kader’s +terrible daring, promptness, and activity were things hitherto +unfelt and unknown. Even whilst the storm was hourly gathering on +the mountains before his eyes, Valée contented himself with +reporting home, and sending the Jew Durand on a mission to Medea, +with a letter to Abdel Kader. This missive concluded with these +words:—</p> + +<p>“Have a little patience; I expect orders from Paris; the affair +will yet be satisfactorily arranged.”</p> + +<p>On the very day that Durand arrived at Medea, Nov. 14th, 1839, +the Khalifas, assembled together according to orders, were holding +a grand military council, presided over by the Sultan himself. +Durand was introduced, and the Marshal’s letter was read aloud. An +agitated discussion ensued, ending in an unanimous cry for war.</p> + +<p>“You are wrong,” said Durand. “France is a powerful country. You +have had experience of her armies. You know how great is her +strength, and how vast are her resources. You will be +defeated.”</p> + +<p>“Then how long,” exclaimed Abdel Kader, “are we still to endure +the insults of the Christians? They have given us proofs upon +proofs of their bad faith.”</p> + +<p>“I assure you,” said Durand, “you do wrong to get +angry<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> about a +trifle. The French have no wish to deceive you, or to quarrel with +you; and if the King’s son has passed through your country, it was +only on a journey of pleasure.”</p> + +<p>The council adjourned till the following day. Abdel Kader and +Durand remained together alone.</p> + +<p>The latter now endeavoured to convince his sovereign of the +risks and dangers he would incur by involving himself in another +war. He expatiated on the rawness of the troops which Abdel Kader +had at his command, his feeble resources, and the internal +agitations which, more or less, at all times fettered his actions, +as opposed to the military strength and discipline, and the unity +and concentration of purpose, which enabled the French to triumph +over every obstacle.</p> + +<p>“All that I know,” said Abdel Kader. “But my Khalifas loudly +call for war. My people already look upon me as an infidel because +I have not yet commenced it. I do not desire war. It is the French +who are urging me into it.”</p> + +<p>The council met again; and again there was but one voice, and +that was for war—the holy war.</p> + +<p>“Be it so,” said Abdel Kader, “since such is your desire. But I +accede to your wishes on one condition alone. You are going to be +exposed to fatigues, to hardships, to trials and reverses. You may +despond, grow weary of the contest, repent. Swear to me, then, on +the sacred book of God, that so long as I wave the standard of the +Djehad, you will never desert me.”</p> + +<p>The chiefs and Khalifas all swore.</p> + +<p>On the 18th November, 1839, Abdel formally declared war against +the French, in the following letter to Marshal Valée:—</p> + +<p class="center space-above15"><span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_187">[187]</span>“<span class="sc">Il Hadj Abdel Kader, +Prince of the Faithful, to Marshal Valée</span>.</p> + +<p>“Peace and happiness on those who follow the path of truth.</p> + +<p>“Your first and your last letters have reached us. We have read +and understood them. I have already informed you that all the +Arabs, from Ouelassa as far as Kef, are unanimous for the holy war. +I have done all in my power to appease them, but in vain. There is +not a voice for peace. All are preparing for war. I must conform to +the general opinion, in obedience to our sacred law. I am acting +loyally by you in thus informing you of what is passing. Send me +back my consul who is in Oran, that he may return to his family. Be +prepared. All the Mussulmans declare the holy war. Whatever may +happen, you cannot accuse me of treachery. My heart is pure, and +never will you find me acting contrary to justice.</p> + +<p>“Written this Monday evening, at Medea, 11 Ramadan, 1255 (18th +Nov., 1839).</p> + +<p>“P.S.—When I wrote to the king, he replied that you had the +direction of all affairs, both for peace and war. I choose war, as +well as all the Mussulmans. Consider yourself hereby warned, and +answer as you think proper. It is for you to speak, and no +other.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">The lightning had darted from the cloud, +and the storm burst. Such was the admirable concert which pervaded +the measures of Abdel Kader, that in a few hours, from the heights +of Beni Sala he saw his Arabs and Kabyles spreading themselves all +over the plains of Algiers. Fresh relays came pouring down from the +mountains on every side. The defiles<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_188">[188]</span> and gorges of the Atlas bristled with horse +and foot. They came rolling onwards like a mighty avalanche +bursting its barriers and rushing on the plains below.</p> + +<p>The Khalifas of Medea and Miliana at the head of their bands +crossed the Cheliff. Ben Salem and his Kabyles closed in on the +devoted French stations and colonies from the east; the Hadjouts +came raging on from the west. The French cantonments, their +agricultural establishments, their model farms, their scattered +outposts, were presently overwhelmed and destroyed by the +resistless and relentless cataclysm. The smoke of blazing villages +darkened the air. In many, the colonists were massacred. Flying +from others, the wretched fugitives were pursued to the very gates +of Algiers.</p> + +<p>There the consternation surged and swelled like a tornado. The +native population menaced insurrection. Rumours, magnified into +imagined realities, filled every breast with alarm and terror. The +wildest and most impossible suggestions were received and treated +as facts. Abdel Kader was said to be advancing at the head of +30,000 men, preceded by 5,000 pioneers to sap the walls. The houses +in the suburbs were evacuated. The Marshal’s house, in the quarter +of Mustapha Pacha, was dismantled. The barracks bearing the same +name were loopholed. For weeks the terror and dismay went on +increasing. Officers swept the horizon with their telescopes, and +were obliged to remain helpless spectators of the scenes of +devastation which spread before them. Provisions at length fell +short. Famine aggravated the horrors of distress and fear.</p> + +<p>Now, like an eagle soaring from his eyrie, Abdel Kader hovered +over the field of carnage. Hordes of Kabyles followed<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> in his train. These hardy +warriors, electrified by his appeals, had sworn to carry him +triumphantly into the heart of Algiers. Relying on their prowess +and devotion, he had solemnly fixed the day when his horse should +drink at the waters of Bab-el-Oued. But before leading them against +the redoubtable ramparts of the town itself, he resolved to essay +their firmness and resolution against the fort Boudourou.</p> + +<p>The Kabyles rushed impetuously to the attack, but the cannon +balls which mowed down their ranks filled them with unaccustomed +terror. They vacillated, broke, retreated, and dispersed. Abdel +Kader felt his prey had eluded his grasp, and, in a paroxysm of +grief and indignation, exclaimed, as he looked at their broken +ranks, “These, then, are the proud Kabyles! May their vows be ever +confounded. May their prayers be never heard. May they live in +misery and contempt. May they fall to that degree of wretchedness, +that a miserable Jew may have them at his feet.” And he returned to +his heights.</p> + +<p>Marshal Valée had at last awakened to a sense of his situation. +Blidah and Bouffarick, at the foot of the Atlas, were hastily +strengthened and reinforced. A few thousand troops were sent out in +detachments to protect what remained of the ravaged colonial +settlements. Urgent dispatches to the Home Government fully stated +the extent of the recent disasters. The ministry ostentatiously +declared their adoption of a firm and irrevocable policy. Algeria +was announced to be “henceforth and for ever a French +province.”</p> + +<p>Reinforcements rapidly arrived at Algiers, and the effective +force of Marshal Valée was soon raised to 30,000 combatants. It was +for him so to handle them as to make a permanent<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> impression on his restless and +indefatigable enemy. The system adopted by his predecessors—of +sudden incursions, followed by as sudden retreats—was abandoned. +His plan of attack comprised three elements of action. These +were—to seize and destroy the strongholds which Abdel Kader had +erected, and with them his arsenals, his magazines, his stores; to +attack and annihilate his regulars, the mainstay of his power; and +to occupy permanently the districts inhabited by the principal Arab +tribes, and by thus showing them how wholly unable their Sultan was +to defend or protect them, to destroy his influence and power.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was at this moment virtually the sovereign of all +Algeria with the exception of the towns on the sea-coast. Oran and +Tittery were his by treaty. The tribes stretching along the south +of the province of Constantine acknowledged his sway. The Sahara, +for the most part, obeyed his mandates. Nominally, 70,000 cavalry +were at his beck; although in reality he could only depend on the +Arab contingents who were directly controlled by his Khalifas, or +who were within the sweep of his arm. His fighting force was about +30,000 cavalry, regular and irregular, and 6,000 regular +infantry.</p> + +<p>Concentrating his force at Blidah, at the foot of the lesser +Atlas, Valée prepared to carry his first offensive movement into +effect, by marching on Medea and Miliana. The river Chiffa was +passed on the 27th April, 1840. The Sultan’s cavalry now appeared +in considerable numbers. The right wing of the French army extended +towards a lake, but without reaching it. Abdel Kader threw his +squadrons into the intermediate space, passed on, and disappeared. +The plain of Algiers thus became exposed to his blows; and for some +time it was thought that he was advancing in that direction, +sweeping<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> everything +before him. But the movement had only been a feint. The object of +Abdel Kader was to force Valée to abandon his march along the +valley of the Cheliff, and to oblige him to enter the mountains by +the gorges of the Mouzaia. In this purpose he succeeded.</p> + +<p>He had been for months labouring night and day to render these +formidable passes still more formidable by all the appliances of +art. It was here, he declared, the French army should find its +grave. Every available height and eminence had been cut into +entrenchments. A redoubt with heavy batteries crowned the highest +peak. In its immediate vicinity were placed his regular +infantry—the battalions of Medea, Miliana, Mascara, Sebaou, and +Tekedemt, officered by French deserters. Arabs and Kabyles swarmed +in all directions, and, crouched in nooks and crevices, stood ready +to open a dropping fire on the French column, as it wound its way +with staid and heavy tread along the narrow causeway which hung +midway on the mountain slopes.</p> + +<p>Valée divided his force into three columns. These were led by +Duvivier, Lamoricière, and D’Hautpoul. To the astonishment of the +Arabs, the French, leaving the road, came vaulting over the steeps. +Ravines, woods, and rocks were all equally mastered by them. Slowly +but surely they were reaching the entrenchments. Suddenly a thick +mist enveloped the scene. The firing was incessant. It flashed and +sparkled through the vapoury panoply like the coruscations of a +phosphorescent sea. The mist rolled away. The combatants had met. +They fought hand to hand. The Arabs and Kabyles clung with +desperation to their hiding-places. The French clambered up, +grasping at shrubs, branches, and sprigs. They appeared able to +surmount every difficulty before them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>There still +remained the grand redoubt. Abdel Kader here made a last stand in +person. His regulars and masses of the Kabyles rallied round him. +The converging columns of the French came creeping on. The roll of +drums and the clang of trumpets resounded on every side. The Arabs +were bewildered by the ubiquity of their foes. Alike attacked in +front and menaced in rear, they wavered, broke, and fled. +Lamoricière and his Zouaves, Changarnier and the 2nd Light Infantry +burst over the entrenchments. The tricolour waved on the highest +summit of the Atlas.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader retreated on Miliana. On arriving there he found the +inhabitants in the very act of deserting the town. Placing himself +in the gateway, he drew his sword, and threatened to cut down the +first that crossed his path. The panic ceased. The people returned. +Valée, in the meantime, entered Medea, and found it abandoned and +half burnt.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had made his last attempt to fight the French on the +principles of European warfare. It had failed. He never repeated +the experiment. All his Khalifas and chiefs received orders never +again to encounter the French in masses, but to confine themselves +to harassing them, hanging on their flanks and rear, cutting off +their communications, falling on their baggage and transports, and, +by feigned retreats, by ambuscades, by sudden and unexpected +sallies, perplexing, wearying, and bewildering them.</p> + +<p>Valée, after leaving a garrison in Medea, under Duvivier, +prepared to return to the plains. He advanced on Miliana, which +Abdel Kader at once evacuated. But when the French column took its +departure and entered the mountain passes, Abdel Kader quickly +resumed his ascendancy, and by unceasing<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_193">[193]</span> attacks, day and night, compelled it to +emerge from its perilous position at the sacrifice of whole +companies annihilated, baggage captured, and wounded abandoned.</p> + +<p>It now became necessary for the French to re-victual their +garrisons in Medea and Miliana. This dangerous task was entrusted +to Changarnier, who accomplished it with consummate skill and +daring, whilst his troops were running a gauntlet of fire. Closely +blockaded by Abdel Kader, these garrisons had led a life of +privation and suffering difficult to portray. The Arabs and Kabyles +occupied all the surrounding country. They attacked the French +foraging parties. The most daring and vigorous sorties, though +scaring them for the moment, made no permanent impression on their +vulture-like tenacity. In the month of October, 1840, the garrison +of Miliana had nearly disappeared under the complicated effects of +famine, fever, and nostalgia. Out of 1,500 men, 750 were dead, 500 +were in the hospital, and the remainder, poor crawling skeletons, +could hardly hold their muskets.</p> + +<p>Not only in the mountains of Tittery did Abdel Kader hold the +French in his iron grasp. From the frontiers of Morocco to those of +Tunis he kept them constantly at bay, counteracting or nullifying +their operations by his almost superhuman efforts. Ever in the +saddle, sudden and mysterious in his movements, to-day engaged with +the French, on the morrow a hundred miles off, rallying and +inspiriting a flagging tribe of Arabs—he seemed, with his +constitution of iron, to dispense with rest or repose; as though +his body had become in a manner etherealised by the fiery soul +within.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span><a id= +"c15"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1841-1842.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">With</span> the year 1841 +commenced the real and decisive struggle. The French, with too +exclusive reliance on their superiority in discipline and +resources, calculated that it would terminate in a few months. +Owing to the unimagined means of resistance evoked and wielded by +the great chief who defied them, it was destined yet to last, with +alternate vicissitudes of success, for six years.</p> + +<p>On the 22nd of February, 1841, General Bugeaud assumed the +functions of Governor-General of Algeria. Abdel Kader regarded the +appointment as a hopeful presage. He would have little difficulty, +he conceived, in coming to a good understanding with one who had +already sanctioned and confirmed his claims to regal power. One of +his most famous predecessors, Ouchba-ibn-Naifé, lieutenant of the +Caliph Mouaiah, towards the close of the seventh century, after +having led his victorious Arabs from Alexandria to Morocco, had +signed a treaty with the Christian Emperor of Constantinople, by +which he was to be paramount ruler in the interior, while the +latter was to be content with holding the towns along the +coast.</p> + +<p>Such was the arrangement which Abdel Kader had always fondly +hoped to see established between himself and the<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> French Government. He thought +it not impossible that the new Governor-General might be induced to +support and promote such a solution of existing difficulties. +Bugeaud’s first proclamation quickly undeceived him. The General +therein declared that his opinions on Algerian affairs were +completely changed. So far from the French occupation being +limited, it was to be extended. Every rival power was to be +crushed.</p> + +<p>In truth, the French Government had at length taken the measure +of their formidable adversary, and had placed 85,000 men at +Bugeaud’s disposal. With such an imposing force it was anticipated +that Abdel Kader would soon be beaten and driven out of the +field.</p> + +<p>But the great difficulty was not so much to defeat Abdel Kader +as to overtake him. The French were stronger; but he was lighter. +The former moved along beaten routes in long columns, encumbered +with artillery, ambulances, and baggage. The latter seeing his +enemy’s point of attack, evaded him for the moment, and then fell +on him when at fault, entangled in ravines and lost amidst +precipices. With the Romans, the French might truly say, “Nostros +asperitas et insolentiæ loci retinebant.”</p> + +<p>Bugeaud altered the tactics of his predecessors. Movable columns +winding in various directions obliged Abdel Kader to disseminate +his forces, and kept him dubious and uncertain. Heavy baggage and +heavy ordnance were abandoned. Recesses hitherto unapproachable, +became accessible. Even the commissariat was dispensed with.</p> + +<p>The Arabs had one immense advantage over the French. Wherever +they went they found provisions. The <em>silos</em><span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> scattered over the land +afforded them a never-failing resource. The French had to carry +their provisions with them. The difference was serious and +important. Lamoricière solved the problem. “The Arabs carry no +provisions,” said that General, “why should we?” And he forthwith +took the field for a month.</p> + +<p>His men carried a few portable hand-mills. On reaching a given +tract of country, they spread themselves out in skirmishing order, +sometimes a league in extent. They probed the ground before them, +as they advanced, with their swords and bayonets. The stones +concealing the underground granaries were struck. They had been but +loosely and scantily covered with earth. The <em>silos</em> were +discovered. Razzias procured sheep. The hand-mills converted corn +into flour; and thus the French troops found themselves provisioned +on the very spot where they stood.</p> + +<p>Bugeaud’s military operations were based on the double principle +of conservation and aggression. The main objects of his tactics +consisted in re-victualling his garrisons, which barely held their +own amidst the ever-active foes surrounding them on every side; in +keeping in subjection the Arab tribes who had already surrendered +to his arms, by giving them an efficient organisation under French +officers,—in overawing others by inexorable razzias and ruthless +burning of their crops; and, lastly, in striking, without pause or +cessation, at Abdel Kader’s power in all its vital parts, by +occupying his strong positions, destroying his arsenals, rasing his +fortresses, with the hope of forcing him back, by continual +pressure, into the wilds of the Sahara.</p> + +<p>The campaign of 1841 opened with a second +re-victualling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> of +Medea and Miliana. The losses of the French, before they effected +that object, were immense. Abdel Kader disputed every inch of the +ground. Bugeaud had gone to the province of Oran. From Mostaganem +he led in person an expedition against Tekedemt. On reaching it, +May 25th, he found it deserted and partly in flames. Boghar, Saida, +and Taza, were successively destroyed.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, faithful to his lately-adopted system, had +determined not to waste his forces in vain attempts to defend his +fortresses. He abandoned them all. His regular army was more +usefully and successfully employed in harassing the French on their +lines of march, or in keeping wavering tribes to their allegiance. +In the new style of warfare which he was now called upon to +confront, walled towns were an encumbrance to him—impediments, in +fact, of which he felt glad to be relieved.</p> + +<p>The following characteristic letter, addressed by him about this +time to General Bugeaud, admirably portrays the buoyancy of spirit +which animated him at a period when everything seemed to indicate +his hopeless and irretrievable ruin:—</p> + +<p>“What is that craving thus urging France, which calls itself a +strong and peaceful nation, to come and make war against us? Has +she not sufficient territory? What harm can all she has taken do +us, compared with what still remains to us? She will advance, we +will retire; but she, in her turn, will be obliged to retire; and +then we shall return.</p> + +<p>“And you, the Governor-General, what injury can you do us? In +battle you lose as many men as we do. Your army is yearly decimated +by disease. What compensation do you think you can offer your king +and your country for your<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_198">[198]</span> enormous losses in men and money? A tract +of ground, and the stones of Mascara!</p> + +<p>“You burn, you ravage our crops, you pillage our <em>silos</em>. +But what signifies to us the loss of the plain of Eghrees, of which +you have not ravaged even a twentieth part, when we possess so many +others? The ground you take from us is but as a drop of water taken +from the sea. We will fight you just when we think proper; and you +know we are not cowards.</p> + +<p>“As to our opposing the forces you drag after you, it would be +folly. But we will harass them; we will wear them out; we will cut +them up in detail; the climate will do the rest. Does the wave +cease to rise and swell when a bird skims it? That is the image of +your passage in Africa.”</p> + +<p>The French had, indeed, already reason to shrink from the task +before them. What with the losses entailed upon them by marches and +counter-marches, by incessant fighting, by blasting heats, their +army had nearly vanished away. Bugeaud, at the close of the year +1841, had to report, that of 60,000 men, he had only 4,000 fit for +duty.</p> + +<p>The French Government again sought relief in projects of peace. +If the Emir would raise the blockade of the French garrisons, and +nominally lay down his arms (it being understood, at the same time, +that 30,000 stand should be secretly paid for), all his former +rights would be confirmed, it said, all the territory taken from +him restored. Abdel Kader laughed at the proposition. “Let the +French keep the towns,” he replied. “Will the towns give them food? +So long as I hold the country, and can attack and intercept their +convoys, my position will still be superior to theirs.”</p> + +<p>The very fact, that a proposal for peace had been +first<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> broached by +the French themselves, confirmed Abdel Kader in his resolution to +try the extremities of war. He had already twice reduced them to +terms, before his fortresses and arsenals existed. The elements he +then wielded still remained to him, even after the loss of these +strongholds, and, in truth, were even more effective than before. +The Arab tribes had been organised; they moved by a common impulse; +they expanded and contracted by word of command; when least +dreaded, they attacked; when pursued, they disappeared. Such was +henceforth to be the formidable but ever fluctuating principle of +Abdel Kader’s operations.</p> + +<p>To break the links of this well-compacted chain, and destroy the +influence which held it together, by establishing permanent centres +of action in the very heart of the Arab confederation, and by +rapidly consecutive expeditions radiating from these centres, to +give his troops the ubiquity of the Arabs, became Bugeaud’s main +object.</p> + +<p>It was determined that the province of Oran, as the chief seat +of Abdel Kader’s power, should henceforward be regarded as the +principal scene of operations. Lamoricière occupied Mascara; Bedeau +held Tlemsen; Changarnier watched the western frontier of the plain +of Algiers; D’Aumale menaced Tittery. All these were men of +promise, able, bold, enterprising, successful; but destined, at a +later period, to experience the fickleness of fortune.</p> + +<p>Three columns moving from Oran and Mostaganem were despatched to +act upon the tribes occupying the vast extent of territory between +the sea and the Atlas, as well as those extending towards the +Sahara. The first, headed by Bugeaud in person, advanced along the +valley of the Cheliff, and then<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_200">[200]</span> made its junction with the second column +under Changarnier, which had started from Blidah. The third column, +commanded by Lamoricière, aimed at pushing Abdel Kader back to the +south, with the view of isolating him from the tribes attacked by +Bugeaud and Changarnier.</p> + +<p>Now commenced those wonderful episodes, thrilling in their +effect, sublime in their grandeur, as marvels of daring and genius, +by which Abdel Kader stamped this glorious struggle in which he was +engaged with the impress of his own extraordinary +individuality.</p> + +<p>Lamoricière, zealously acting up to the instructions given him, +to pursue and overtake the Sultan, was always fancying himself on +the traces of his object. Suddenly he heard that Abdel Kader was +before Mascara. When he had contrived to arrive by forced marches +at that place, he was told that Abdel Kader had passed by the rear +of his column, and was making a razzia on the Borgia tribes.</p> + +<p>Again came the pursuit, and again Abdel Kader, by a bold and +rapid manœuvre, leaving his bewildered foes behind him, dashed +across the Cheliff, placed himself between Bugeaud and the sea, +recovered his ascendancy over the tribes who had deserted him in +that direction, made another sweeping razzia to the south of +Miliana, and then, rushing back to the Sahara, showed himself there +in full force, just as the French had returned, in despair of +finding him, to their cantonments.</p> + +<p>By ever-recurring evolutions of this nature, slipping between +the enemy’s columns, flitting in their front, hovering on their +flank, falling on their rear, never at fault, never discouraged, +sometimes in the mountains, sometimes in the plains, disconcerting +and rendering abortive the most scientific<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_201">[201]</span> military combinations, Abdel Kader amply +compensated for the disparity of his means, and counterbalanced the +manifold disadvantages under which he laboured.</p> + +<p>Leaving to his Khalifas in Oran the duty of carrying on the +desultory kind of warfare which he had so rigidly prescribed, Abdel +Kader now repaired to the Traara Mountains on the frontiers of +Morocco. The military skill and diplomatic aptitude of Bedeau had +imposed obedience on many of the frontier tribes. Abdel Kader saw +his communications with Morocco menaced, and it was from Morocco +that he drew, for the most part, his arms, his clothing, his +ammunition, not, as has been erroneously stated, by splendid and +gratuitous grants from Sultan Abderahman, but by the ordinary +course of commercial transactions.</p> + +<p>The Kabyles of Nedrouma, once his most devoted partisans, had, +amongst others, submitted to the French general. The sight of Abdel +Kader amongst them at once rekindled all their former loyalty and +enthusiasm. They prayed for forgiveness; they asked to be allowed +to wipe out their shame on the field of glory. The Beni Snassen, +and other frontier tribes, followed their example, and rallied +again around his standard. These, in addition to his own regulars, +gave him about 3,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry,—a force sufficient +to confront the enemy.</p> + +<p>During the months of March and April, 1842, the hills and +valleys of the Traara and Nedrouma Mountains, the banks of the +Tafna and the Sickak, became the scenes of constant encounters +between him and General Bedeau. The fate of the campaign still hung +doubtfully in the balance, when Abdel Kader was summoned to the +environs of Mascara.<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_202">[202]</span> Despite the precautions of his +brother-in-law, Mustapha-ibn-Tamy, of Il Berkani, and of Sidi +Embarak, his most illustrious chiefs, Lamoricière was gaining +ground. Several tribes had gone over; a large portion even of the +Hashems, his own tribe, had been carried away by the contagious +example. Lamoricière, imagining Abdel Kader to be sufficiently +occupied by Bedeau, had extended his excursions towards the Sahara. +Abdel Kader seized the opportune occasion to re-assert and enforce +his power amongst the tribes who had deserted him around Mascara. +But, with due discrimination, he drew a line between wilful treason +and unavoidable secession. Wherever there were proofs of collusion +with the French, of treasonable correspondence, of active +participation, his punishments were severe and unsparing. Terrible, +indeed, were, at times, the examples he made of tribes who, by +their premeditated alliance with the infidel, had justly drawn down +upon themselves the fearful punishment awarded by the Koran upon +traitors to their religion and their God.</p> + +<p>Lamoricière hurried back in all haste on hearing of the Sultan’s +re-appearance on his own field of operations. But he had to +re-conquer all the territory he had lately gained. To his surprise, +tribes, which had but recently joined him, now stood coalesced +against him. Fighting his way gallantly through all obstacles, he +eagerly sought to measure his sword with the moving genius of this +unexpected revival. He heard that Abdel Kader was in force at +Tekedemt, and on Tekedemt he forthwith marched.</p> + +<p>He arrived there, indeed, but just in time to learn that Abdel +Kader had fallen on Changarnier in the direction of Miliana. That +general, counting on the absence of his redoubtable +foe,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> was there +engaged in the comparatively easy task of subduing some refractory +tribes. One day he found himself enveloped with an overwhelming +force of Arabs and Kabyles, horse and foot, regulars and +irregulars, led on by Abdel Kader in person, and rushing furiously +to the combat.</p> + +<p>For two days and nights the battle raged incessantly. The +combatants engaged in deadly strife, hand to hand and foot to foot +with pistols, swords, yataghans, or bayonets. Suddenly the combat +ceased. Abdel Kader drew off his army and disappeared. The French +had suffered too severely and were too exhausted to follow him up. +Two days afterwards news reached them to the effect that Abdel +Kader had dashed into the Metija, was ravaging the plains, and +carrying terror to the very gates of Algiers.</p> + +<p>Bearing away to his right, after performing this exploit, Abdel +Kader ascended the Atlas, penetrated to the Ouarensis, beyond +Tittery, and reached the Sahara. Everywhere he occupied himself in +arousing populations, inspiriting tribes, and organising +contingents. After sweeping over a space of some three hundred +leagues, he returned, with recruited forces and increased energy, +to press upon the garrison of Mascara, under Lamoricière, with all +the rigours of a winter blockade.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding all these incredible and in some measure +successful efforts, which were now, more than ever, necessary to +sustain him in his arduous and double task of thwarting the designs +of his formidable enemies from without, and of curbing the +fast-spreading spirit of defection within, Abdel Kader began to +feel that he was struggling with adverse fortune. All his fixed +establishments had been invaded and<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_204">[204]</span> destroyed. The ketna, his ancestral abode, +had been ravaged and laid waste. The members of his own family were +outcasts. More than all, the families of his most faithful +adherents were constantly exposed, despite all his vigilance, to +rude visits from detested strangers, clothed in uncouth garb, the +soldiers of the infidel, who violated the sanctity of the harem +with heartless mockery and vindictive malice.</p> + +<p>Feelings of religion and humanity urgently compelled him to take +measures to meet the exigencies of such a painful and trying +emergency. He determined to remove altogether from the scene of war +those whom it was impossible for him to desert, and whom in the +hour of need he might be unable to rescue. He formed his +<em>Smala</em>.</p> + +<p>This new and singular organisation was simply an agglomeration +of private hearths. To the <em>Smala</em> as to a common asylum and +place of security, the Arab tribes sent their treasures, their +herds, their women, their children, their aged and their sick. It +became an immense moving capital, amounting to more than 20,000 +souls. It followed the Sultan’s movements, advancing to the more +cultivated districts, or retreating to the Sahara, according to the +fluctuations of his fortunes.</p> + +<p>When in the Sahara, the numerous tents of the <em>Smala</em> +were lost in the distant horizon. When in the Tell, they filled up +the valley, and covered the slopes of the mountains. It was +arranged with military regularity. The <em>deiras</em>, or +households, with their tents varying in number according to the +respective strength of each, were distributed into four large +encampments. Each <em>deira</em> knew its place. Each chief had his +station marked and his functions appointed, according to his +importance or the confidence he inspired.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>Abdel Kader +spared no pains to encourage and popularise a system of emigration, +which daily increased from the strongest of human impulses, and +thus gradually and imperceptibly bound the Arab tribes to him by +the strongest of human ties. Four tribes were set apart to watch, +protect, and guide the <em>Smala</em> in its wanderings. A body of +regulars kept guard over it. Jews were expressly commissioned to +advance sums of money to the needy.</p> + +<p>Ultimately, indeed, the <em>Smala</em> became a powerful check +on the disaffection of the tribes. For when the French, alluring +them with fair promises, said to them, “Come over to us, we will +protect you,” an invisible voice whispered in their ears, “I have +your women, your children, your flocks, beware!” Thus, an +establishment, which was at first constituted by Abdel Kader as a +measure of domestic arrangement, became in his hands a vast and +widely extended political engine.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span><a id= +"c16"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1841-1842.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">It</span> was the month of March, +1841; the night was cold, dark, and tempestuous. More than a +thousand fires glimmered in house, and tent, and bivouac. Men were +anxiously discussing the past stages and future prospects of the +war. Generals were conning their maps; soldiers were drinking the +old accustomed toasts to love and glory; priests were reading their +breviaries; the Bishop of Algiers had just finished midnight mass. +Suddenly a young woman, holding a little girl by the hand, rushed +into his apartment, threw herself at his feet, and in accents of +wild despair exclaimed:—“My husband; the father of my child!” Her +husband had disappeared in the frightful hurricane of war which had +devastated the plain of Algiers. But he was safe; he was with Abdel +Kader.</p> + +<p>The good bishop had long deplored, though unavailingly, the +melancholy fate of French prisoners in the hands of the Arabs. He +had often suggested measures for their relief, but French national +pride and dignity had hitherto opposed an impassable barrier to his +benevolent designs. Now, however, touched and excited by the scene +before him, he determined to break the restraints imposed on him, +and, confident of finding a response in the breast of the +magnanimous<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> chief +to whom he was about to appeal, he wrote to Abdel Kader.</p> + +<p>“You do not know me,” he said, “but my profession is, to serve +God, and in Him to love all men, his children and my brethren. If I +was able to mount on horseback I should dread neither the blackness +of the night nor the roaring of the tempest. I would present myself +at the door of your tent, and would cry out in a voice which, if my +idea of you deceives me not, you would be unable to resist, +‘Restore to me my unfortunate brother, fallen into your warlike +hands.’ But I cannot come myself.</p> + +<p>“Let me then send you one of my followers, and let the letter +which he will present to you, and which I have written in haste, +supply the place of that verbal appeal which God would have +blessed, for it would have proceeded from the bottom of my +heart.</p> + +<p>“I have neither gold nor silver to offer you. Your only +recompense will be the sincere prayers and the deep-felt gratitude +of the family on whose behalf I write. ‘Blessed are the merciful, +for they shall obtain mercy.’”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader at once replied in the following terms:—“I have +received your letter and comprehended it. It has not surprised me, +after all I had heard of your sacred character. Nevertheless, +permit me to observe that in the double title you assume of servant +of God and friend of men, your brethren, you ought to have demanded +from me not merely the liberty of one, but of all the Christians +who have been made prisoners of war since the resumption of +hostilities.</p> + +<p>“Nay more. Would you not be, in a twofold manner, worthy of the +mission of which you speak, if, not content with<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> procuring such a boon for two +or three hundred Christians, you were to endeavour to extend it to +an equal number of Mussulmans who languish in your prisons?”</p> + +<p>The celebrated exchange of prisoners at Sidi Khalifa, May 21st, +1841, was the glorious fruits of this touching fusion of two noble +hearts.</p> + +<p>The bishop had reserved some Arab orphans whose parents had died +in French captivity. He expected a protest. To his surprise and +astonishment he received a present and a recommendation. “I send +you a flock of goats,” wrote the catholic-minded Sultan of the +Arabs, “with their young who are still sucking. With these you will +be able for some time longer to nourish the little children you +have adopted, and who have lost their mothers. Pray excuse this +gift, for it is very trifling.”</p> + +<p>The generous care, the tender sympathy exhibited by Abdel Kader +towards his prisoners is almost unparalleled in the annals of +warfare. Christian generals might sit at his feet in this respect +and blush for their degeneracy. No doubt the prisoners taken by the +Arabs were often exposed to the insults of their barbarous captors, +especially when falling amongst tribes exasperated by the +sufferings inflicted on them by the French. Effectually, however, +though slowly, the spirit inculcated by the Sultan at length gained +ground. Barbarism recoiled before it, mercy prevailed, humanity +triumphed.</p> + +<p>Wherever Abdel Kader was present, indeed, the French in his +power were treated more like guests than prisoners. He frequently +sent them, in secret, sums of money, varying from five to twenty +dollars, out of his privy purse. They were sure to be well clothed +and well fed. Abdel Kader even<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_209">[209]</span> went so far as to desire that their +spiritual wants should receive due attention.</p> + +<p>It is thus the uncompromising champion of Islamism writes on the +subject, in words that deserve to be printed in letters of gold, to +the Bishop of Algiers:—“Send a priest to my camp. He shall want for +nothing. I will take care he shall be honoured and respected as +becomes his double character of a man of God, and your +representative.</p> + +<p>“He shall pray with the prisoners daily, he shall console them, +and he shall correspond with their families. He may thus be the +means of procuring them money, clothes, books, in a word, +everything they may desire or want, to soften the rigours of their +captivity. Only, on his arriving here, he must solemnly promise, +once for all, never to allude in his letters to my encampments or +military movements.”</p> + +<p>The very sight of a prisoner seemed to touch a chord within the +breast of Abdel Kader, which called forth all the more lofty +sentiments and magnanimous feelings ennobling to human nature. His +heart, so stern and dauntless when confronted with danger, expanded +and softened with all a woman’s tenderness before the captive’s +dark and dreary fate, like flowers which only exhale their +fragrance to the shades of night.</p> + +<p>“Sultan,” said two French prisoners who were brought before him, +“we wish to become Mussulmans; we are ready to make profession of +your religion.”</p> + +<p>“If you do so in good faith,” replied Abdel Kader, “well and +good. But if you are needlessly alarmed at your present situation, +you will do wrong. Though you are, and remain Christians, not a +hair of your heads shall be touched. Consider<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_210">[210]</span> rather what will happen to you should +you return to your countrymen after having renounced your faith. +Would you not be treated as the most criminal of deserters? How can +you hope to benefit by the occasion should an exchange of prisoners +take place?”</p> + +<p>A French prisoner, kindling with indignation at the bare mention +of apostacy, exclaimed, in presence of Abdel Kader, “As for me, I +will never renounce my religion. You may cut off my head, but make +me a renegade, never!”</p> + +<p>“Be perfectly easy, your life is sacred with me,” was the reply +of Abdel Kader. “I like to hear such language. You are a brave and +loyal man, and merit my esteem. I honour courage in religion more +than courage in war.”</p> + +<p>A celebrated Moroccan chief asked to see the French prisoners. +Having remarked a trumpeter, he asked him to play a tune. The +trumpeter sounded the charge. “What does that mean?” said the +chief. “Tell the Sultan,” said the trumpeter, “that when he hears +that sound, the sooner he gives his horse the reins and gallops +off, the better.” The chief, feeling himself insulted, demanded +that the offender should have the bastinado. “No, no,” said Abdel +Kader, “we must be generous and forbearing to our prisoners.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader’s repugnance to see female prisoners was extreme. +The thought that women should become victims of war was a source of +constant anxiety to him. One day, the cavalry of one of his +Khalifas brought him in four young women, as a brilliant capture. +He turned away in disgust. “Lions,” he said, sarcastically, “attack +strong animals; jackals fall upon the weak.”</p> + +<p>Once he and his followers were reduced to the +greatest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> straits. +Subsistence could hardly be procured. In this extremity, he +bethought him of ninety-four French prisoners lying in his camp in +the greatest misery. He released them all without ransom or +exchange. He even had them escorted to the advanced posts, where +they were delivered over to their comrades, astounded by such an +act of generosity.</p> + +<p>Numberless acts of magnanimity, known only to the French +superior officers whom he encountered, or with whom he +corresponded, testified to the elevation of his soul. One general +officer has since said, “We were obliged to conceal these things as +much as we could from our soldiers; for if they suspected them, we +should never have got them to fight with the due ardour against +Abdel Kader.”</p> + +<p>Some French artisans had, by permission of the Governor-General, +entered into a contract with Abdel Kader to execute certain works +in four of the towns he was rebuilding. They were to receive 3,000 +francs each. The war broke out before their contract was completed; +nearly half of their work had yet to be completed. They petitioned +for leave to return.</p> + +<p>Not only did Abdel Kader at once consent, but he gave them a +safe-conduct and an escort through tribes who were all in arms, and +crying out for French blood. At the frontier the entire sum which +had been agreed upon was counted down to the French artisans, who +were thus paid by the Sultan for works which they had actually not +finished.</p> + +<p>Converted, animated, inspired by such an example, the Sultan’s +chiefs and delegates, throughout the provinces and districts under +their control, for the most part engaged willingly and cordially in +acts of sympathy, kindness, and hospitality to their fallen foes. +Such were Ibn Salem and<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_212">[212]</span> Ben Hamedi; such a one, also, was Sidi +Embarak, that brilliant reflex of his master’s mind, whose +prisoners, when released, subscribed to present him with pistols of +honour.</p> + +<p>But, in all those tender offices which soothe and assuage the +unutterable sufferings of the estranged and forlorn, none exceeded +the Sultan’s mother, the mild, the gentle Leila Zohra. She assumed, +as by inherent right, the guardianship of all the female prisoners. +The care and solicitude she lavished on them was as extraordinary +as it was exemplary. They occupied a tent close to hers. Two of her +negro slaves guarded the entrances. No one was allowed to approach +them without an order. Every morning they received from her own +hands presents of oil, butter, meat, and other articles, for their +repast. Did sickness overtake any of them, she would bring them, +with maternal anxiety, tea, sugar, coffee—anything she thought +would contribute to their ease and comfort.</p> + +<p>One day, a batch of French prisoners was brought in and placed +temporarily near her tent. She came out to see them. “What have you +come to do in our country?” she observed, looking on them with +compassion; “it was calm and prosperous, and you have covered it +with the desolation of war. No doubt, it is the will of God which +is being accomplished; but that God is all-powerful, His designs +are impenetrable. Perhaps, one of these days, in the hour of +reconciliation, we may restore you to your homes and families.” +Such words of hope, which thrilled through the breasts, and cheered +the wounded spirits of the unhappy prisoners, and seemed to them +like distant gleams of future freedom already beaming on their +captivity, revealed, in one glorious trait, the mother of Abdel +Kader.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>By his humanity, +Abdel Kader had done much more than only inaugurate a new era in +the treatment of prisoners amongst the Arabs; it was due to him +that soldiers had ever been spared on the field to be taken +prisoners at all. The very word “prisoner” had been hitherto +unknown amongst their savage tribes. To show no quarter, to +massacre all who came in their way and fell into their hands, to +count their vanquished enemies by the number of bloody heads +dangling on their horses’ flanks, and to receive prizes for them, +had been their custom, until custom had almost grown into an +instinct.</p> + +<p>Who was the first to abolish such atrocious practices? Who +prohibited, with all the severity which circumstances would allow, +the custom of adding to the heads of those who had been slain in +open fight, the heads of prisoners taken alive, wounded or not? +Who, in place of the sum of money heretofore given for each of +these sanguinary trophies, gave double and triple the sum for every +prisoner brought in safe and sound?—Again and again, let +Christendom and the whole civilised world be told, that it was +Abdel Kader.</p> + +<p>Nor was it without the risk of a general insurrection that Abdel +Kader insisted and persevered in the new course he had marked out. +Undeterred, however, by threats, unshaken by menaces, he went +steadily on till he had achieved the moral revolution dictated to +him by religion and humanity. One of his soldiers, at the +commencement of this reform, insolently demanded of him—</p> + +<p>“How much will you give for a prisoner?”</p> + +<p>“Eight dollars.”</p> + +<p>“And how much for a head cut off?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>“Twenty-five +blows on the soles of the feet.”</p> + +<p>One day, Abdel Kader desired that five prisoners, already some +weeks in custody, should be brought before him. Three were +immediately summoned by the Khalifa, to whose charge they had been +given. The latter, dreading the Sultan’s queries, turned to the +prisoners and said—</p> + +<p>“There, take these burnouses, throw them over your shoulders; +the Sultan calls for you. If he asks you any questions, mind you +say that you have been well treated, and that you have wanted for +nothing.”</p> + +<p>“Very good; but if we are asked if those burnouses are our +own?”</p> + +<p>“Say that you have had them a long time.”</p> + +<p>“Agreed.”</p> + +<p>“Woe to you if you make any complaint. Now follow me to the +Sultan.”</p> + +<p>After having given these warnings, the Khalifa proceeded with +his prisoners to the tent of the Sultan. Abdel Kader was seated in +one corner, surrounded by his principal chiefs and Marabouts. The +reception of the prisoners was designedly solemn. The Arabs and +their Sultan preserved a mysterious silence. The three prisoners +advanced, preceded by Hadj Mustapha, the Sultan’s +brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>“Which of you is the trumpeter?” said the Sultan.</p> + +<p>“I am.”</p> + +<p>“Take that letter, it is for you.”</p> + +<p>As the prisoner read the letter, his cheeks became flushed; +tears rushed into his eyes; his limbs trembled with excitement. It +was a letter from his General, informing him that the Legion of +Honour had been conferred on him, for<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_215">[215]</span> his bravery in devoting himself for the +safety of his colonel, in the affair of Sept. 22nd, 1843.</p> + +<p>“Step forward,” said the Sultan.</p> + +<p>The trumpeter advanced a few paces.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, with his own hands, fixed the Cross of the Legion +of Honour on his breast.</p> + +<p>Then, turning to his brother-in-law, he said:—</p> + +<p>“I only see three prisoners. There were five: where are the +other two?”</p> + +<p>“They are dead.”</p> + +<p>“Since when?”</p> + +<p>“A long time ago.”</p> + +<p>“Did they die of sickness?”</p> + +<p>“We shot them.”</p> + +<p>“Shot them!” exclaimed the Sultan, looking sternly at his +brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>“They tried to escape.”</p> + +<p>“Is that a reason for killing them? This is wicked, unjust, +infamous. If the French were to kill my Arabs who are their +prisoners, what would you say?”</p> + +<p>“Dogs of Christians.”</p> + +<p>“Enough; for shame! I will have no more of these doings. Do you +understand me? This shall and must be the last. Give the prisoners +thirty francs a-piece, place them in my camp, and mind they are +well provided for.”</p> + +<p>From this moment, Abdel Kader determined to procure a national +edict as regarded the treatment of prisoners; for notwithstanding +all his vigilance, isolated instances of barbarity still continued +to occur. He convoked a grand council of all the Khalifas, the +Agas, the Kaids, and chiefs of tribes.<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_216">[216]</span> Three hundred assembled. Standing up before +them, he took for the text of his oration, an article in the Koran, +where Mohammed blames his brother-in-law Ali for having slain five +hundred infidels after they had surrendered.</p> + +<p>Applying this passage to the case of French soldiers taken +prisoners, Abdel Kader vehemently insisted that they should no more +be wantonly killed or mutilated. After eloquently showing, to the +conviction of his audience, the inhumanity, the disgrace, the +inutility of such actions, he demanded a decree to the effect, that +every Frenchman, whether taken in action or otherwise, should be +looked upon as a prisoner, and be treated with every consideration, +until an opportunity presented itself for effecting his +exchange.</p> + +<p>The proposition of the Sultan received the approval of the +majority of the council. The following decree was at once drawn up; +and hundreds of copies were made, and forthwith distributed +throughout all the towns, villages, and tents, in the Sultan’s +dominions:—</p> + +<p>“Be it ordained, that every Arab who shall bring in a French +soldier, or a Christian, safe and sound, shall receive a reward, +amounting to eight dollars for a male, and ten dollars for a +female.</p> + +<p>“Every Arab who has a Frenchman or a Christian in his +possession, is held responsible for his good treatment. He is +hereby commanded, on pain of the severest punishment, to conduct +his prisoner, without delay, either to the nearest Khalifa, or +before the Sultan himself. On doing this, he shall receive the +promised reward.</p> + +<p>“In the case of any prisoner complaining of the slightest +ill-treatment, the Arab, his captor, shall lose all claims for +reward.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>Once—and once +only—after the publication of this order, it was reported to Abdel +Kader that one of his regulars had been taken up with a Frenchman’s +head in his hands. Starting with indignation, he instantly wrote to +the Khalifa of the district where the case had occurred, commanding +him to bring the culprit forthwith to head-quarters. He resolved to +make a severe example. His regular regiments, both infantry and +cavalry, and the contingents of irregular cavalry, of the tribes +nearest by, were all convoked to a grand parade.</p> + +<p>On the day, and at the hour fixed, all were under arms. Abdel +Kader stood surrounded by his civil and military chiefs. The +culprit was led forth; the head was placed before the Sultan.</p> + +<p>“Prisoner,” said Abdel Kader, “was the man to whom this head +belonged dead or alive, before you cut it off?”</p> + +<p>“Dead.”</p> + +<p>“Then you shall receive two hundred and fifty blows, for having +disobeyed my orders. This punishment shall teach you that, as a +dead man can be no man’s enemy, it is cowardly and brutal to +mutilate him.”</p> + +<p>The soldier was laid down, and received his award. He rose, and +thinking his punishment over, was moving off.</p> + +<p>“Stay a little,” said the Sultan, “I have another question to +ask you. While you were cutting off the man’s head, where was your +musket?”</p> + +<p>“I had laid it on the ground.”</p> + +<p>“Two hundred and fifty blows more, then, for having abandoned +your arms on the field.”</p> + +<p>After this second punishment, the unhappy regular could hardly +stand on his feet. Some men stepped forth to carry him away.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>“Not in such a +hurry,” said the Sultan, again; “I have another question yet to +ask. After you had cut off the man’s head, how did you manage to +carry your musket and the head at the same time?”</p> + +<p>“I held my musket in one hand, and the head in the other.”</p> + +<p>“That is to say, you carried your musket in such a manner that +you could not have made use of it. Give him two hundred and fifty +blows more.”</p> + +<p>Such unbending severity had its due effect. The French had no +longer occasion to dread falling alive into the hands of the Arabs. +When taken they were regularly and carefully conducted to the +station of the nearest Khalifa. On arriving there, they were +subjected to a strict but mild examination, and were simply asked +to what corps they had belonged, when and how they had been taken, +and whether they had been well treated by their captors.</p> + +<p>After their declarations had been duly taken down and +registered, they were forwarded to certain <em>depôts</em> +appointed for the reception of prisoners. The men were generally +sent to Taza, or Tekedemt. The women, invariably to the Smala, to +be cared for and superintended by the Sultan’s mother.</p> + +<p>Not satisfied with ameliorating the condition of his own +prisoners of war, Abdel Kader was extremely desirous of pushing the +principle of humanity still further, by establishing a regular +exchange of prisoners on both sides. Often and earnestly did he +plead with the French generals, that the precedent so auspiciously +established and carried into effect at Sidi Khalifa, might be +extended and confirmed as a system. But he pleaded in vain.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span><a id= +"c17"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1843.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">At</span> this period of his +fortunes, Abdel Kader was almost as much engaged in subduing his +own subjects and keeping them to their allegiance, as in fighting +with the French. The latter, by promises, by bribes, by threats, by +measures of the utmost severity, tried to gain over the Arab tribes +as allies and auxiliaries. A razzia on the part of the French was +sure to be followed by a razzia on the part of the Sultan. Both +parties endeavoured to establish their power by terror. But, whilst +the one was actuated by the thirst for conquest, the other was +influenced by the desire of rescuing his country from its evils, +and rendering it eventually great and powerful.</p> + +<p>The French had learned to appreciate the importance of the +Smala. They saw in it the real nucleus of Abdel Kader’s influence. +They ascertained that it was the depository of immense wealth. It +now became the chief object of their research. From generals of +<em>corps d’armée</em> to colonels of detachments, all displayed an +eager and zealous activity to snatch the splendid prize.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1843, Lamoricière opened the campaign by +occupying Tekedemt. Abdel Kader, with 1,500 cavalry, watched his +further movements from the neighbouring woods of Serisso. He had +learned by spies that the general’s object was the Smala. For +twenty days he remained in ambush.<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_220">[220]</span> All communication with him was strictly +prohibited, lest his presence should be discovered. He and his men +lived on acorns. The horses were fed with leaves. To add to the +intenseness of his abnegation, this trial came on them during the +period of the fast of Ramadan.</p> + +<p>One day the chiefs of Abdel Kader came to him radiant with joy. +They had found a stray sheep. The Sultan at least might have a +repast. “Take it to my starving soldiers,” said Abdel Kader, and he +turned to his meal of acorns. Unconsciously, he was following the +example of David, when he looked on the waters from the well of +Bethlehem, and said, “Is not this the blood of the men who went in +jeopardy of their lives? and he would not drink it;” of Alexander, +when he refused the helmet of water—“If I alone drink, my men will +be dispirited;” of Sidney, who on the field of Zutphen resigned the +cooling draught to his wounded comrade, with the touching remark, +“This man’s necessity is greater than mine.”</p> + +<p>Twice Lamoricière led forth his troops in search of the Smala, +and twice Abdel Kader drove him back. But treason was at work. +Sheik Omar ibn Ferrath, of the Beni Aiad, offered to point out the +exact spot on which the Smala was encamped. Immediately the plan +was laid. From Abdel Kader no obstruction was feared. He was +occupied with Lamoricière. The column stationed at Medea was +selected for the enterprise. The execution was entrusted to the Duc +D’Aumale.</p> + +<p>On the 10th of May, 1843, D’Aumale left Boghar with 1,300 +infantry, 600 cavalry, and 2 field pieces. Sheik Omar had announced +the Smala to be at Gojilat. The French<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_221">[221]</span> reached that place on the 14th. But the +Smala was gone. Its new locality was unknown. The column wandered +about weary and uncertain. A fierce simoon sweeping over it reduced +the men to utter exhaustion. They halted and piled arms. D’Aumale +rode on for some miles in front, merely accompanied by his +cavalry.</p> + +<p>At break of day on the 16th, the traitor Sheik rode up to say +that the Smala was at the spring of Taguin. D’Aumale at once gave +orders to march on the point indicated. The Sheik expostulated. To +attack the Smala with 600 cavalry appeared to him to be madness. He +entreated the Duke either to return to his column or to wait till +it came up. “No prince of my race ever receded,” was the gallant +reply; and the trumpets sounded the advance.</p> + +<p>The Smala was reached. The French cavalry, spreading out like a +fan, went dashing through that sea of tents, and quickly scattered +a bewildered and panic-striken population of old men, women, and +children. The small guard of 500 regulars fired a volley and fled. +A handful of the Hashems bravely attempted to stem the torrent, but +were swept away. In less than an hour the victory was complete.</p> + +<p>The scenes of confusion and despair which were crowded into that +brief interval—the frantic efforts at escape, the terror of the +flying, the dismay of the abandoned—the careering and plunging of a +promiscuous mass of camels, dromedaries, horses, mules, oxen, +sheep, tossing about like the waves of a raging sea, have been +immortalised by the genius of Horace Vernet. The painter’s art +alone could do adequate justice to that unparalleled and almost +inconceivable scene of tumult.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span>The bloodshed +had been comparatively trifling. The trophies consisted chiefly of +the families of Abdel Kader’s most influential chiefs. His own +family had escaped. The booty was immense. It comprised thousands +of animals of all kinds, Abdel Kader’s library, consisting of the +rarest Arabian manuscripts, richly bound, and valued at £5,000; his +military chest, containing millions of francs; the chests of his +Khalifas and Kaids, all deposited in the Smala for security, and +filled with gold and silver coins, and costly jewellery.</p> + +<p>The French soldiers baled out dollars and doubloons in their +shakos; they filled their haversacks with pearls and diamonds. In +the general disorder, the voice of command was unheeded; and each +seized the prize, which a more or less happy chance threw into his +hands.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader received the news of the taking of the Smala, in the +woods of Serisso. The blow for a moment overwhelmed him. He +measured at once the extent of his misfortune, and saw in that +severe decree of fate the presage of a dark and calamitous future. +Dismissing the messengers who brought him the intelligence, he +retired from some hours to his tent, engaged in meditation and +prayer.</p> + +<p>His chiefs, his officers and men, had, in the meantime, +assembled in groups outside. Some were silent and downcast, others +gave way to the wildest imprecations. Many had lost their all; +their wives and their children had been taken captive—they might be +separated for years, perhaps for ever; disordered imaginations +filled up this dark shadow of the unknown with exaggerated horrors; +the distracted sufferers saw no prospect of relief. One only +feeling gave them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> a +shadow of consolation—their Sultan was still amongst them.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader came forth. They crowded to his presence. They +watched his looks. Some essayed to address him, but the words +faltered on their lips; none ventured to fathom the secret workings +of that profound prostration. But the cloud had passed over; a +smile played on his countenance. “Praise be to God,” he said; “all +those objects which I so highly prized, which were so dear to my +heart, and occupied my mind so much, only impeded my movements, and +turned me aside from the right way. For the future, I shall be free +to fight the infidels.”</p> + +<p>Then, speaking of those who had fallen, he added, “Why should we +mourn and complain? Are not all those whom we loved and have lost, +now blessed in Paradise?” The next day he wrote to his +Khalifas:—“The French have made a razzia on my Smala; but let us +not be discouraged, we shall henceforth be lighter and better +disposed for war.”</p> + +<p>Thus, rising superior to events, Abdel Kader stilled the +troubled waters which rose around him; from the deepest of his +misfortunes he gathered hope and encouragement for the future.</p> + +<p>When alluding afterwards to this disastrous period, Abdel Kader +thus expressed himself:—“When my Smala was attacked by the Duc +D’Aumale, its population could not have comprised less than 60,000 +souls. He did not carry off a tenth part; it extended from Taguin +as far as Djebel Amour. When an Arab lost sight of his family in +it, he was sometimes two days in finding it. Wherever it was +encamped, the wells and rivulets were dried up. I had established a +police force<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +expressly to prevent the waters from being muddled or wasted by the +flocks. In spite of all my precautions, many perished from +thirst.</p> + +<p>“My Smala contained armourers, saddlers, tailors—every trade, in +fact, necessary to its organisation. An immense fair was held in +it, which was much frequented by the Arabs of the Tell. As to our +grain, corn, and barley, it was either brought to us, or we sent to +procure it from the tribes of the north.</p> + +<p>“The order of the encampment was perfectly regulated. When I had +pitched my tent, every one knew the place he was to occupy. I had +around me three or four hundred of my regular infantry, and the +irregular cavalry of the Hashems of Eghrees, who were especially +devoted to me. It was no easy task to reach me. Not that I took +these measures for my own personal security; I felt I was necessary +to accomplish the work of God, and trusted in Him to strengthen and +protect the arm that carried his standard.</p> + +<p>“At the time of the surprise, I was near Tekedemt, observing the +division of Oran, which was in the neighbourhood, and from which I +thought I had most to dread. I had with me 1,500 or 1,600 cavalry. +Ben Kharoub was with the Flittas, Ben Allal in the Ouarensis, +Mustapha-ibn-Taamy amongst the Beni Ouragh. But I never thought +there was occasion for me to fear so terrible a mischance in the +direction of Medea; and none of my Khalifas were watching the +movements of the king’s son.</p> + +<p>“Despite all that, however, we should not have been surprised if +God had not blinded our people. On seeing the Spahis coming on, +with their red burnouses, it was thought in<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_225">[225]</span> the Smala that they were my irregulars +returning. The women even raised the usual cries of welcome and +rejoicing to their honour. Nor were they undeceived until the first +shots were fired. Then ensued a scene of inexpressible confusion, +which baffled all the efforts of those who sought to defend +themselves.</p> + +<p>“If I had been there, we should have fought for our wives and +children, and the French would have seen a grand day. But God +decreed it otherwise. I only heard of the misfortune three days +afterwards; it was too late.”</p> + +<p>The smallness of their force prevented the French from taking +more than 3,000 prisoners; but amongst them were the families of +several of the Sultan’s Khalifas. The rest of the Smala dispersed +in all directions. Some fell among Arab tribes, who plundered them. +Others were overtaken by Lamoricière.</p> + +<p>Foremost in the pursuit was Mutapha-ibn-Ismail, who throughout +the war had made himself conspicuous by the malicious zeal with +which he had ever aided and directed the movements of the French +against the distinguished chief whom a base jealousy urged him to +thwart and oppose. But the traitor now met a merited doom. Crossing +the district of the Flittas, he was attacked, shot down, and +decapitated. His head was taken to the Sultan’s head-quarters. +Abdel Kader gazed upon it for some moments with pardonable +satisfaction, and then contemptuously ordered it to be thrown to +the dogs.</p> + +<p>To recover his influence and restore the general confidence by +the re-establishment of his Smala, was now to Abdel Kader a matter +of vital importance. But all his efforts were vain. The moral +effects of its defeat and capture were<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_226">[226]</span> irremediable. Every day brought Abdel Kader +information of the defection of large and influential tribes. Arab +contingents now swelled the ranks of his enemies, and marched +openly against him.</p> + +<p>Yet deeper misfortunes followed. At the very moment when his +ablest Khalifas were most needed, a remorseless fate removed them. +Their career was cut short by captivity, or terminated by a +glorious death. Deprived of these connecting links, his empire lost +cohesion. His distant provinces fell an easy prey to the French, +who everywhere displayed their triumphant standards. But the lion +heart and iron will still bore up, and defied fortune to do its +worst.</p> + +<p>The province of Oran became the scene of an almost superhuman +struggle. Followed by a chosen and devoted band of some 5,000 +followers, Abdel Kader made his presence felt at all points; now he +fell on recreant tribes; now he made head against the French +columns. Ever in the van, leading on the charge, plunging into the +thickest of the fight, by his heroic example he encouraged, +animated, and inspired his small band. His bravest followers fell +around him; his horses were killed under him; his burnous was +riddled with bullets; but still he fought on, desperately braving +and sustaining the battle’s brunt.</p> + +<p>Once he was taken unawares. On the 23rd September, 1843, he was +encamped near the Marabouts (or sacred edifices) of Sidi Yoosuf, +with a battalion of infantry and 500 irregular horse. A spy +betrayed his position to Lamoricière. A distance of six leagues was +between them. The general at once led out in person the 2nd +Chasseurs d’Afriques. All were elate and confident. The space +was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> rapidly +traversed by a night’s march. In the grey of dawn the spot was +reached.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was aroused from sleep by cries of “The French! the +French!” He had barely time to mount. He might have escaped, but +death in his eyes was preferable to the double stain of surprise +and flight. His infantry sprung to their arms, and by his orders +advanced and fired a volley. His cavalry rallied at his voice. +Then, as the smoke slowly rolled away, he dashed into the French +chasseurs, overwhelmed and dispersed them by the suddenness of the +shock, and after a few minutes’ hard fighting drew off his whole +force in perfect order.</p> + +<p>The Beni Amers had gone over to the French—those same Beni Amers +whose 4,000 sabres had waved in exultation around the young hero of +the Djehad; whose brilliant courage had opened before him the path +of glory and of empire. Abdel Kader determined to attack them. +Descending suddenly upon them with all his available levies, he +swept through their encampments, slew numbers, and carried off a +large booty. A French battalion stationed amongst them struggled +vainly to arrest his progress. But an Arab chief, one of his old +followers, boldly singled him out, rode up to him, and fired at him +point blank. The ball missed. Abdel Kader turned round and shot the +traitor dead with his pistol.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the temporary success of these desperate +efforts, Abdel Kader well knew that unless some more stable and +permanent form were given to his energy and perseverance, all +attempts to regain his former ascendancy, and repair the crumbling +edifice of his fortunes, would be vain and illusory. Algeria, he +now clearly saw, was closed to<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_228">[228]</span> him, as a battle-field likely to be +productive of any solid advantages to his position, notwithstanding +his endless raids and triumphant razzias. Without external aid, he +felt the game was lost.</p> + +<p>The magnificent Smala was now reduced to his own Deira, barely +amounting to 1,000 souls, wandering about in miserable uncertainty. +By fixing it in a place of security, he would be ready for fresh +efforts. While escorting it to a more favourable spot, Lamoricière +again crossed his path. A desperate engagement ensued. The women +animated the combatants with their voices. Abdel Kader and his +followers, fighting in the presence of their wives and children, +performed prodigies of valour. Again the Sultan’s formidable +antagonist was foiled. The Deira was safely established at Bouka +Cheha, on the territory of Morocco.</p> + +<p>The political relations between England and France were at this +time threatening. Abdel Kader thought the moment propitious. He +sent an embassy to the Queen of England. In a letter addressed to +her Majesty, he opened to her the prospect of possessions in +Algeria. All the sea-coast towns should be ceded to her in full and +undivided sovereignty. On the other hand, the Arabs required at her +hands the acknowledgment of their national independence. A glorious +alliance between the English and the Arabs would present an +impassible barrier, he urged, to French aggrandisement in Africa. +The letter was placed in the hands of the Prime Minister. An +interview with the Queen was sought by his agent, and refused. An +answer was promised, but it was never sent.</p> + +<p>The embassy was at the same time entrusted with a +letter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> from Abdel +Kader to the Turkish Sultan, to be transmitted through the British +Foreign Office. In return for succour promptly sent, the Sultan of +the Arabs offered to acknowledge the descendant of Othman as his +suzerain. The letter was forwarded to its destination, but no +results ensued.</p> + +<p>Whatever were his expectations from the quarters he thus +addressed, Abdel Kader’s main reliance was in the support and +co-operation of the Sultan of Morocco. For years, Sultan Abderahman +had shown him every mark of unbounded cordiality and esteem, had +loaded him with presents, and offered him the sweet incense of +flattery and adulation. But there his friendship stopped. +Throughout the whole career of Abdel Kader, he had never offered to +supply him gratuitously with material aid of any kind; and Abdel +Kader had never condescended to demand it.</p> + +<p>Now, however, stern necessity and a solemn sense of religious +duty compelled him to make the appeal. In the most urgent and +pressing terms, he adjured the Moorish Sultan to come forward with +the whole strength and resources of his empire in behalf of the +common cause. He pointed out the common danger. If all Algeria were +to be subdued, where, he asked, could be the security for Morocco? +Pretexts would not be wanting for invading the latter, as pretexts +had been found for invading the former. The Arab tribes, +momentarily dispirited, would revive at the sight of the Moorish +armies, and, with re-enkindled enthusiasm, range themselves round +the Moorish standards.</p> + +<p>Not content with challenging the political and religious +sympathies of the Sultan of Morocco, Abdel Kader resolved to win +his patron’s adhesion, if not to extort his alliance, +by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> an act of +personal devotion. Several of the frontier Morocco tribes had long +been in open revolt against their sovereign. He marched against +them, subdued them, and sent the leaders of the rebellion in chains +to Ouchda, forwarding at the same time a letter from himself to +Sultan Abderahman, stating his services.</p> + +<p>The reply of the Moorish monarch was complimentary, but +reserved. It held out to him no encouragement. Abdel Kader, finding +the fruitlessness of his advances in that quarter, now summoned +around him a few faithful adherents, and, relying on his own +efforts to retrieve his fortunes, disappeared for some months in +the Sahara.</p> + +<p>The French, relieved of Abdel Kader’s presence, imagined that +their work was done. His withdrawal from the scene of action was to +them the grateful symbol of his abdication and defeat. Marshal +Bugeaud thus congratulated his Government on the glorious +result:—“After the campaign of the spring (1843), I might have +proclaimed Algeria to be conquered and subdued. I preferred stating +less than the truth. But now, after the battle of the 11th of this +month, in which the remains of the Emir’s infantry were destroyed, +and in which his first and most distinguished Khalifa was killed, I +will boldly declare that all serious warfare is finished. Abdel +Kader may, indeed, with the handful of cavalry he still has about +him, make some isolated <em>coup de main</em> on the frontier, but +he can never again attempt anything important.”</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span><a id= +"c18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1844-1845.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">The</span> erection of an Arab +kingdom in Algeria had been viewed by the Sultan of Morocco, not +only with feelings of religious sympathy and approval, but with a +cordial appreciation of its commercial advantages. The government +of the young Sultan of the Arabs, based on a strict and undeviating +adherence to the principles of the Koran, had largely increased +both the trade and the revenues of his empire.</p> + +<p>Formerly the rich caravans which plied between Fez and the +southern parts of Africa, passed through Algeria as through an +enemy’s country. Large guards were necessary to save them from +spoliation. They were frequently attacked and plundered, with +serious loss of life. They had to run the gauntlet both of Arabs +and Turks. If they escaped from the open hostility of the one, they +were devoured by the grasping avarice and unblushing extortion of +the other. Now they traversed the whole extent of Algeria in +perfect safety. In the interior they paid no tolls; at the +frontiers they paid no duties. In Abdel Kader’s eyes a custom-house +was an anomaly and an abomination. The legal <em>zekka</em> and +<em>ashur</em>, and, in case of urgent necessity, the +<em>marouna</em>, an extraordinary war-contribution, were all that +his conscience allowed him to demand from his subjects. Industry +fructified<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> in its +natural channels; the reciprocity of exchange was unfettered.</p> + +<p>When to all these considerations were added the personal esteem +and regard, the admiration little short of idolatry with which the +Moorish Sultan reverenced the once triumphant leader of the Djehad, +it was fully expected throughout the Moorish population, who +secretly longed to be led on, in alliance with the Arabs, against +the infidels, that a loud and strenuous appeal to arms would sooner +or later have signalised the adhesion of Morocco to the common +cause, and imparted fresh strength and vigour to Abdel Kader’s +noble, though waning, efforts of constancy and heroism.</p> + +<p>But, however sensitive Sultan Abderahman might have been to the +instincts of his faith, he was not the less tenacious of the +stability of his own throne. The invading element had swept +triumphantly over the barriers raised alike by Turkish and Arab +desperation. The power which had planted its victorious standards +in Algiers and Mascara, might well carry them to Fez. A +demonstration in favour of Abdel Kader on the part of Sultan +Abderahman, would probably involve them both in a common ruin. +Balancing between his personal predilections and his political +fears, the Moorish Sultan hoped to save his conscience and his +crown, by doing nothing.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately for the astuteness of these calculations on the +part of the Moorish Sultan, the position of Abdel Kader was of such +a nature as to render a hostile collision between France and +Morocco inevitable. The sympathies of the Moorish population were +gradually burning more and more strongly towards the indomitable +hero who had honoured their<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_233">[233]</span> soil by making it the sanctuary of his +accumulated glories, his sanctified misfortunes, and his unflagging +hopes. It required but a spark to raise a widely-spreading and +inextinguishable conflagration.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had for some time made the Morocco frontier the +basis of his forays into Algeria. He could retire within the +Morocco territory without molestation. The French, in order not to +be thus baffled, had at last advanced a strong division to that +part of the frontier from whence he made his sallies. But the +frontier lines were ill defined. There was a portion of the +territory which might be considered as debateable ground, and this +debateable ground was boldly occupied by the French.</p> + +<p>The name of the place on which Lamoricière and Bedeau fixed on +for their encampment was Leila Maghnia, so called after the name of +a celebrated and highly venerated female saint, whose remains lay +deposited in a stately tomb, erected on the spot. Here the French +dug entrenchments, hung up their accoutrements, smoked their pipes, +and sung songs.</p> + +<p>The profanation was too glaring to be overlooked, too monstrous +to be endured. A shout of indignation rolled through the Moorish +empire. It roused the vacillating monarch from his ignominious +repose, and compelled him either to see himself engulphed amidst +the tempestuous waves of an irrepressible fanaticism, or at once to +send an army to the scene of outrage, for the purpose of asserting +the national dignity, and avenging the foul insult offered to the +national faith.</p> + +<p>On the 22nd May, 1844, El Ghenaoui, commander of the Moorish +garrison at Ouchda, summoned the French to evacuate<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> Leila Maghnia. The summons was +treated with contempt. On the 30th, some Moorish troops approached +the French position, and encouraged by their leader, a fanatic +Shereef, allied by birth to the Sultan’s family, gave way to their +impetuous zeal. With menacing shouts and gestures they reached the +French lines. They fired into the French entrenchments. Lamoricière +and Bedeau displayed the French standards and marched against them. +Quickly defeated and dispersed, the enemy fell back upon +Ouchda.</p> + +<p>On the 11th of June, Marshal Bugeaud arrived at the camp. He +proposed an interview between himself and El Ghenaoui, and the +arrangement was accepted. The interview was fixed for June 11th. +Distrust prevailed on either side. Each party came towards the +ground with a large body of troops. In presence of both armies, the +chiefs advanced towards each other, accompanied by a small +escort.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had the conference begun when the Moorish cavalry were +observed to be breaking ground and closing in upon the scene of +parley. With cries of insult and defiance they brandished their +sabres and discharged their pistols. Bedeau withdrew with dignity, +disdaining to attempt reprisals. The main body of the enemy, +mistaking this moderation for weakness, rushed on tumultuously. The +French drew up in order of battle, waited a short time for +reinforcements, and then, headed by Bugeaud, retorted the +challenge. A general engagement ensued. Again the Moors were routed +and put to flight.</p> + +<p>Bugeaud, astounded at these acts of treachery, determined to +take and occupy Ouchda itself. He wrote to El Ghenaoui demanding an +explanation. The latter only replied in a<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_235">[235]</span> spirit of prevarication and evasion. The +French general then sent his ultimatum. In this despatch Abdel +Kader was declared to be the sole obstacle to a renewal of peace +and friendship between France and Morocco. The genius of one man +thus held the reciprocal positions of two empires in suspense. “We +wish,” wrote General Bugeaud, “to have the same frontier limits +which the Turks, and Abdel Kader after them, possessed. We want +nothing which belongs to you. But we must insist on your no longer +receiving Abdel Kader, granting him aid and support, reviving him +when he is nearly dead, and launching him forth afresh upon us. +This is not good friendship; it is war; and such war you have been +making on us in this manner for two years.</p> + +<p>“We desire that you confine to the west of the empire both Abdel +Kader’s Deira and his principal chiefs, and that you disperse his +regular troops, both infantry and cavalry. We require also that you +no longer countenance the emigration of our tribes to your +territory, and that you immediately send back those who are already +located there.</p> + +<p>“We will bind ourselves reciprocally towards you, in the same +sense, should the occasion present itself. This is what may justly +be called the practical observance of the principle of good +friendship between two nations. On these conditions, we will be +your friends, we will encourage your commerce, and favour the +government of Muley Abderahman as much as lies in our power. If you +act otherwise we shall be your enemies. Answer at once and without +evasions, for I do not understand them.”</p> + +<p>This despatch led to no results. The Moorish army retired into +the interior; and Bugeaud occupied Ouchda, although<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> but temporarily. The dispute, +thus commenced on the frontier, soon spread into the higher regions +of diplomacy. The French Government, in the month of June, 1844, +sent a squadron under Prince de Joinville to the coast of Morocco +to support its official reclamations. Marshal Bugeaud received +instructions to commence offensive operations by land. The +bombardment of Tangiers and Mogador, and the battle of Isly, +compelled the Moorish Sultan to carry out the views of the +conquering power. France claimed no territory, no indemnity, not +even the expenses of the war. It merely begged Sultan Abderahman, +<em>to deliver it from Abdel Kader</em>. By the 4th article of the +treaty of peace which was drawn up, and signed by both parties, it +was stipulated, that “Hadj Abdel Kader is placed beyond the pale of +the law throughout the entire extent of the empire of Morocco, as +well as in Algeria. He will, consequently, be pursued by main +force, by the French on the territory of Algeria, and by the +Moroccans on their own territory, till he is expelled therefrom, or +falls into the power of one or other nation. In the event of Abdel +Kader falling into the hands of the French troops, the Government +of his Majesty the King of the French engages itself to treat him +with respect and generosity. In the event of his falling into the +hands of the Moorish troops, his Majesty the Emperor of Morocco +engages himself to restrict his abode, for the future, to one of +the towns on the western coast of his empire, until the two +Governments shall have concerted such measures as will prevent the +possibility of his resuming arms, and troubling the tranquillity of +Algeria and Morocco.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, on the breaking out of hostilities +between<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> France and +Morocco, had returned to the Deira, there to watch the course of +events. Sultan Abderahman went through the formality of summoning +him to Fez. But another summons reached Abdel Kader from the +Moorish capital, of a far different nature. The defeat of their +armies, the humiliating dictation of the French, the bitter +reversal of all their ardent hopes, had filled the Moorish +population with fury and resentment. All ranks inveighed against +the incapacity, and the craven weakness of their sovereign. All +demanded Abdel Kader.</p> + +<p>Letters from the first grandees of the state, from military and +civil functionaries, from the commercial classes, informed Abdel +Kader of the general wish, implored him to rescue the empire from +impending degradation and ruin, and invited him to ascend the +throne of his ancestors.</p> + +<p>Had Abdel Kader been a vulgar usurper, he had now only to put +out his hand to seize the sceptre of Morocco. But patriotism, not +ambition, was his ruling motive. He had taken the field for the +freedom and independence of Algeria. His thoughts, his vows, his +prayers, all his concentrated energies of body and mind, were +devoted to his native land. No offer of greatness could seduce him +beyond that legitimate sphere of action. He disdained to wear a +borrowed crown.</p> + +<p>“I refused the tempting offer so unanimously made to me,” he +afterwards said, “not only because my religion forbade me to injure +a sovereign chosen and appointed by God, but because, knowing +Morocco as I did, with its discordant races, I felt it would have +cost me at least twelve or fifteen years, not, indeed, to govern +like Muley Abderahman, but to enable me in any way to enforce +submission to the law, and to make my government respected.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span>During the +spring of 1844, in the hopes of embarrassing the concentration of +the French army on the frontiers of Morocco, Abdel Kader had made a +rapid incursion into the regions of the Tell, penetrating even as +far as Tiaret. Everywhere he appealed to the tribes, convoked their +chiefs, and called for contingents. But the presence of French +detachments in all directions had overawed and stupefied the +national spirit. His summons met with a feeble response. He +returned to his Deira in the deepest despondency.</p> + +<p>In long and anxious reveries, he now examined his position; he +weighed his prospects; he questioned his conscience. Had he done +all, he asked himself, that love of country and devotion to his +faith demanded? Was it too soon to abandon all hope? Was despair +criminal? He looked around on his Deira, composed of his family and +a few hundreds of devoted followers, dependent on chance supplies +for the bare means of existence, and acknowledged that the closing +scene had come.</p> + +<p>Again his mental horizon cleared up. A grand idea presented +itself to his imagination. He would rally all the tribes of +Algeria, unable to endure the yoke of the infidels, and lead them +forth in a body towards Mecca. In this expedition he would live on +terms of friendship with all who, on their route, welcomed them as +friends; and pass over the bodies of those who opposed them as +enemies.</p> + +<p>What Arab, he argued to himself, could resist such a mighty +impulse, or fail to be electrified by such a magnificent proposal? +What a glorious spectacle would be presented by a whole people +voluntarily abandoning a land which their forefathers, twelve +centuries before, had won by their swords, rather than share it +with the mortal enemies of their faith;<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_239">[239]</span> and bearing back the standards of the +Prophet in solemn pomp and grandeur, unsullied and uncontaminated, +to the scenes and regions of their pristine glories!</p> + +<p>But while pondering over this gigantic scheme, fresh +circumstances again aroused him to renewed exertions. Old memories +rose up before him. The touching appeals of his devoted Khalifas +still occasionally reached him; renewed assurances of adhesion came +in from time to time. His heart vibrated and responded to the +innate conviction that his name still possessed its talismanic +influence, and that his presence might yet re-animate and inspire +the breasts of thousands, now sunk in apathy and despair. All +combined in urging him to undertake the hazards of another +campaign, in spite of the fearful odds opposed to him.</p> + +<p>From the gorges of the Djurjura, the loyal and chivalrous Ben +Salem had thus addressed his long-absent sovereign:—“How is it that +you no longer write to us? The sight of your seal, as you well +know, revives all our hopes. I assure you, your very existence is +called in question; and it is generally given out that your mother +writes in your name. The French are preparing to march upon me, and +I cannot answer for the Kabyles; I am almost inclined to believe, +they are secretly of the religion of the conqueror. If you delay +coming amongst us, the misfortunes of Berkani will be nothing +compared to those with which I shall be overwhelmed. Answer me in +your own handwriting, I conjure you.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader replied,—“I have received your letter, informing me, +that the news of my death is spread abroad in the east. No one can +escape death; such is the decree of the Most High. However, God be +praised, my hour is not<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_240">[240]</span> yet come. I am yet full of force and +vigour, and I still hope to attack with energy the enemies of our +religion. It is by such proofs that men are known. Be always the +same, calm, patient, unshaken, and God will recompense you. I will +come to you as soon as my affairs in the west are settled.”</p> + +<p>His absence being still prolonged, and disasters rapidly +succeeding each other in every quarter, his three Khalifas in the +east held a consultation as to the best measures to be adopted in +such a desperate state of affairs. Their master was not there to +cheer and animate their drooping spirits; and as they separated, +Ben Allal, embracing his colleagues, exclaimed, “May God re-unite +us in another world, for I have small hope that we shall meet again +in this.” “Despair not,” said Ben Salem, newly consoled and +supported by a letter he had just received from Abdel Kader, “I +trust we shall yet all three of us meet in Algeria.” “Perhaps so,” +added Ben Allal, dejectedly, “if we submit to the Christians, which +God forbid.”</p> + +<p>Soon after, all communication having been cut off by the French +troops, the Khalifas to the east were again without any news from +Abdel Kader. Ben Salem dispatched several chiefs of tribes to +gather intelligence of his movements. By an unexpected piece of +good fortune, they found out Abdel Kader himself. He received them +with affectionate sympathy. Calm and cheerful in the midst of his +reverses, he listened eagerly to their accounts of the +embarrassments of his faithful lieutenants, and their still +untiring zeal. He consoled them with words of comfort and +assurance; and, on their taking leave, he gave them a horse richly +caparisoned, as a present to Ben Salem, with the following +letter:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>“Be patient in +adversity; it is that which is the touchstone of great minds. +Encourage your officials; aid and assist them; bear with their +faults of judgment; measure the extent of their capacities with +charity and consideration. This state of affairs cannot last long. +I hope to be with you speedily, and then we will come to an +understanding as to the proper course to be adopted. In the +meantime, I beg you to accept the horse which I send you: it was a +present to me from Mouley Abderahman. It may perhaps be propitious +to you.”</p> + +<p>The Arab tribes had, in some degree, viewed with satisfaction +the state of comparative repose which had succeeded to those years +of constant conflicts, in which, whoever conquered, they were sure +to be the sufferers. But the gradual establishment of French +regulations amongst them, and especially the haughtiness and +severity with which they were enforced, as well as the constant +presence of French officials, too often distinguished by that +superciliousness and contemptuous display of superiority which +intimate intercourse with the eastern races generally engenders in +the breasts of Europeans, failed not again to awaken their +slumbering feelings of hatred and fanaticism.</p> + +<p>To minds thus prepared for renewed action, the emissaries of +certain secret religious societies which existed amongst the +tribes, found ready access. The arm of the Lord, they were assured, +was about to be visibly revealed. The <em>Mouley Saa</em>, or +“Master of the hour,” so long expected by all true and fervent +believers, had appeared, as they were told, and was already in the +field. “Woe be to those who hung back in doubt or fear,” was the +rallying cry of these fanatics.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span>The sect of the +“Derkaouas,” famous above all others for their furious and +infatuated zeal, had found a tool, and boldly put him forward. In +March, 1845, Mohammed-ibn-Abdallah, surnamed Bou Maza, raised the +sacred standard in the Dahra and the valley of the Cheliff. This +newly-installed prophet preached from place to place, exclaiming, +“I am the destined one who is to appear at the hour predicted in +the prophecies, the hour of deliverance.” He pledged himself to rid +Algeria of the French within the year.</p> + +<p>This impostor had his goat (which suggested his nickname, Bou +Maza, or “father of the goat”), as Sertorius had his bitch, through +which he pretended to receive celestial communications. He promised +to all who believed in his mission, not only the plunder of the +Christians, but also of all recreant Mussulmans. By these means he +collected around him several hundred followers, and surprised and +attacked some French posts. His successes aroused competitors. +Whenever the French advanced, they were met by Bou Maza. The +fermentation was temporarily, but only temporarily, appeased by the +French. A greater personage than Bou Maza was about to re-appear on +the scene.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, though not a participator in the agitation which +had been lately set on foot to excite the tribes, saw the ground +prepared for him. He resolved to reap the harvest which had been +sown. He descended into the valley of the Tafna, and routed and cut +to pieces a French detachment at Sidi Ibrahim. In this action the +lower part of his right ear was carried away by a musket ball. This +wound was the only serious one that he ever received.</p> + +<p>Another detachment laid down its arms to him without<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span> firing a shot, at Ain +Temouchen. The collective prisoners amounted to six hundred. They +were brought before him. He consoled them in their misfortune. +“Never despair of the future,” he said; “no harm shall come to you. +God has decreed that you should fall into my power; He may yet +decree your liberation.”</p> + +<p>The news of these successes spread rapidly abroad. Rumour +magnified their importance. All hearts beat high with expectation. +Soon letters from Abdel Kader were read and handed about with +transport. In these letters the Arabs were told to be of good +cheer, since their Sultan would soon be amongst them, and implored +not to permit any partial and ill-judged rising to defeat the +common aim. The Khalifas of Abdel Kader had received their +instructions. “Let all patiently await the signal,” it was written, +“and then rush with fury on the foe before them.”</p> + +<p>The French felt the coming storm; they recognised the genius of +Abdel Kader; the danger was imminent. Lamoricière, Cavaignac, +Bedeau, pressed the government for reinforcements. They urged the +immediate return of Bugeaud. The Marshal left France accordingly, +and reached Algeria October 15, 1845. He brought new legions. +Within a week he took the field at the head of 120,000 men. He +determined, by a timely display of unrelenting rigour, to forestall +the menaced blow.</p> + +<p>Fourteen divisions, each complete in infantry, cavalry, and +artillery, scoured the devoted land in every direction, some acting +in concert, others independently, but all crushing out resistance, +wherever it appeared, with fire and sword. Men were pitilessly +slain, habitations ruthlessly burnt, crops given<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> over to conflagration, +fugitives smothered alive in caves. St. Arnaud led on “The Infernal +Column.” Algeria once more felt all the strength of European +civilisation, but now untempered by that mercy which ought to be +its attribute.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span><a id= +"c19"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1845-1847.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Flushed</span> with his recent +triumph, and anxious to realise the hopes it had awakened in every +quarter to which the news of it had reached, Abdel Kader, in the +month of October 1845, carried his standards to the plains of +Mascara. Here he was again hailed with as much enthusiasm as at the +outset of his career. All the tribes which had submitted to the +French rallied round him. The garrison of Mascara came out against +him, but was driven back with loss. The French entrenched camps of +Saida and Taza were strictly blockaded.</p> + +<p>But other portions of the country required his presence. It was +his policy not so much to adopt a system of combined attack against +the French, which, from his want of regular infantry and artillery, +was next to impossible, as to foment the spirit of insurrection in +all parts of the Regency, to keep the French perpetually on the +alert by his meteor-like appearance in districts apparently +subdued, to revive hostilities ostensibly extinguished, and then, +by the rapidity of his movements, to baffle all the measures +directed against him.</p> + +<p>He now advanced to Tekedemt with 6,000 cavalry, and prepared to +descend into the valley of the Cheliff. The Beni Shaib, a large and +important tribe, one hundred and fifty miles away to the south, +were reported to him as about to go<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_246">[246]</span> over to the French. The contemplated +movement into the valley of the Cheliff was instantly suspended. +The wavering tribe suddenly found itself attacked by Abdel Kader at +the head of 5,000 cavalry. Their chiefs were seized, their flocks +carried off, their coffers emptied.</p> + +<p>The movements of the French had, in the meantime, compelled him +to alter his plans. No sooner was it known that Abdel Kader was in +the Tell, than all their efforts were concentrated in that +direction. The columns of Lamoricière, Bedeau, Yoosuf, and Marcey, +were all set in motion. Orders were given, that whichever column +found itself in presence of Abdel Kader, was to fire a signal gun, +on which the other columns were immediately to converge and lend +their aid.</p> + +<p>Lamoricière was the first to come up with him, near Tiaret, +December 1, 1845. He was protecting the emigration of several +tribes, who, under his direction, were withdrawing into the desert. +The signal gun was fired. Bedeau, Yoosuf, and Bugeaud, rapidly +emerged on the scene. But Abdel Kader, always admirably served by +spies, frustrated this combination, and within forty-eight hours +had removed the seat of his operations to the Ouarensis.</p> + +<p>Bugeaud, Lamoricière, Yoosuf, and St. Arnaud, followed in +breathless haste, and were again on the Sultan’s traces; but their +ubiquitous foe everywhere gave them the slip, and for weeks led +them a fruitless dance through the valleys of the Cheliff.</p> + +<p>On one occasion he nearly succeeded in annihilating the +third-named general. On encountering Yoosuf in person on 23rd +December, near Temela, he pretended to fly. Yoosuf, falling into +the snare, followed him up with 2,000 cavalry.<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_247">[247]</span> After thus drawing the French on for +some time, Abdel Kader suddenly faced about and charged them with +500 irregulars. The rain fell in torrents. The firearms of the +French would not go off. Their horses were dead beat. They got lost +in the intricacies of the ground, and were on the point of +surrendering, when the unexpected advance of a column of infantry +averted their fate.</p> + +<p>That very night Abdel Kader slipped between the columns of +Bugeaud and Lamoricière, made a sweeping razzia on the Beni Esdama, +between Tekedemt and Mascara, carried off all their cattle, with +abundance of corn and barley, and retired unmolested into the +Sahara. Several tribes here brought him the usual tribute.</p> + +<p>He now conceived the daring project of visiting the Djurjura, +rallying the Kabyles, and making a dash into the Metija. Ben Salem, +duly informed, prepared to second this movement.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader left the Sahara in February, 1846, followed by part +of the Beni Hassan, passed, unobserved, through the Wady Isser to +the east of Medea, and, making a razzia by the way on the Beni +Hadoura, who served the French, reached the Djurjura, where the +Kabyles stood ready to await his bidding. With a force of 5,000 +warriors, accumulated as if by magic, he now swept down into the +plains, ravaged and destroyed the French colonies, and advanced to +within four hours of Algiers itself. The French generals were all +the while searching about for him in the high ground of the +Tell.</p> + +<p>On the 7th February, he was encamped at the foot of the +Djurjura. While engaged in midnight prayer, he heard the French +order to charge. In another moment, the French<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_248">[248]</span> were upon him. He sprang on his horse +and called on his men to rally. The Chasseurs closed around him. He +fought with them single-handed. Two horses were shot under him. He +fought on foot. He became undistinguishable in the confusion of the +skirmish, and aided by the darkness of the night effected his +escape.</p> + +<p>On the 28th Abdel Kader held a grand council of war at Burj bou +Keni. Deputies from all the Kabyle tribes were present. The +question of war was warmly mooted. For a time the majority were in +favour of a continuation of hostilities. At this moment news was +brought in that Bugeaud was advancing against them with superior +forces. The moderate party immediately gained the ascendancy. +Attack and defence were declared to be alike hazardous. Prudence +was preferable to a fruitless enthusiasm. In that would be the best +guarantee for the preservation of their liberties.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader left the Djurjura. In a few hours he was in the +vicinity of Bayhan. There, on the 7th of March, he surprised, +routed, and plundered the French Douairs, with his body guard of +2,000 cavalry. The booty was immense. All the mules and camels of +the tribes scarcely sufficed to remove it. The long train and its +escort entered the passes of the Djebel Amour, seeking by rapid +stages the districts of the Beni Nail, in the Sahara.</p> + +<p>On the 13th, while bringing up the rear guard with seventy men, +Abdel Kader was again attacked by General Yoosuf, who, finding out +the direction he had taken, had followed him up by forced marches. +An open space of ground gave the French unusual advantages. Abdel +Kader was conspicuous on a white charger. Alternately firing and +charging,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> he kept +the enemy at bay. His men fought with desperation. Forty were +killed. At length, after two hours’ hard fighting, and after +performing prodigies of valour, Abdel Kader was lost to view in a +defile.</p> + +<p>The French were amazed at his gallantry. When, at a later +period, he was in Paris, the object of universal curiosity and +admiration, the French general who commanded on this memorable day +recalled to Abdel Kader the impression made on all who witnessed +his chivalrous demeanour at a moment when to all appearances he was +irrecoverably lost, “If one of our officers had displayed such +extraordinary heroism,” said General Yoosuf, “the Emperor would +have sent him the decoration of the Legion of Honour.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had hoped to recruit his forces amongst the tribes +of the Sahara. But the French had forestalled him. Everywhere their +columns and detachments made themselves felt. The Beni Nail, the +Beni Shaib, the Beni Hassan, from whose resources he had long been +accustomed to supply his wants, and with whom he had often found +shelter in the hour of need, all submitted successively to the +persevering foe. Wherever Abdel Kader presented himself he found +lassitude and despondency. Indeed his presence began to be looked +upon as an omen of misfortune, and a prelude to ruin.</p> + +<p>He visited the Oulad-Sidi-Chirk, a large and powerful tribe at +the southern extremity of the Sahara. Their chiefs and marabouts +thronged about him. They condoled with him. They assured him of +their warmest sympathies. They offered him a temporary hospitality. +But they adjured him not to entail upon them the horrors of war, +and so to expose the venerated tombs of their saints to the +profanation of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> +infidel. Abdel Kader received the intimation with composure and +resignation. Accompanied by his faithful escort, he now returned to +his Deira, on the Melouia, in Morocco.</p> + +<p>He arrived there July 18th, 1846. A terrible episode had just +occurred. The French prisoners taken in the affairs of Sidi Ibrahim +and Ain Temouchen, in September, 1845, had been sent to the Deira. +They had been presented to the Sultan’s mother, had met with a most +assuring reception, and had been well treated. Nothing was withheld +that could mitigate the painfulness of their situation. Abdel Kader +had more than once written to Bugeaud, offering an exchange of +prisoners, but his offer had been treated with contempt. Such was +the position of the prisoners when he had left the Deira, on his +late expedition.</p> + +<p>The Deira, to which was always attached a small body of +regulars, was under the charge of Ben Hamedi. On the 10th of April, +1846, Mustapha-ibn-Thamy, the Sultan’s brother-in-law, arrived from +the Sahara and took the command. He had left Abdel Kader three days +after his brilliant action with General Yoosuf, in the Djebel +Amour, and brought with him several wounded and invalids. He found +the Deira greatly reduced in numbers, by desertion, by suffering, +by privation. Provisions had become scarce. The Moorish tribes in +the vicinity would only furnish supplies for ready money; and of +money there was little or none. Two hundred and eighty prisoners +had become an embarrassment.</p> + +<p>In this crisis a report reached Mustapha-ibn-Thamy that the +Moorish troops, who were not far distant, were about to advance and +rescue the prisoners. He had no force sufficient to resist such an +enterprise if it was attempted. The idea of such a<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> stain upon his honour preyed +upon his mind. If he made his small band of regulars fight to keep +them, Moslem blood would be shed, and probably fruitlessly shed, +for the sake of infidels. If he tamely surrendered them, how could +he look Abdel Kader in the face? He determined to make away with +them. On the night of the 24th of April they were massacred. Ten +officers alone were spared.</p> + +<p>The first step taken by Abdel Kader on his arrival at the Deira, +July 18th, was to endeavour to get the survivors exchanged. His +efforts, as usual in such matters, failed. They were, however, +finally ransomed for 30,000 francs. Abdel Kader felt it due to his +own reputation, utterly guiltless as he was of this deed of blood, +to address the following letter to the King of the French:—</p> + +<p>“Praise be to God, the merciful and compassionate. Glory to our +lord and master Mohammed.</p> + +<p>“On the part of the Prince of the Faithful, Sid-il Hadj Abdel +Kader-ibn Mehi-ed-deen, may God vouchsafe unto him his favour both +in this and another world; to the Sultan of the Christians, the +commander-in-chief of the French armies, King Louis Philippe, may +God constantly promote the increase of his power, and the execution +of his projects in all that relates to the happiness of his people, +and especially enable him to exalt those who follow the good path, +and to confound all who do otherwise.</p> + +<p>“I would call to your recollection that we have ever been ready +to accept conditions of peace. We have even accepted conditions +which you thought proper to impose upon us. We rejoiced to be on a +good understanding with you. Our alliance was cemented by good +faith. Our treaties had your<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_252">[252]</span> personal approbation. By an exchange of +presents we likewise confirmed our mutual feelings of +friendship.</p> + +<p>“Such was our position up to the moment when certain influential +persons in Algeria gave a too willing ear to perfidious +insinuations tending to interrupt the harmony which existed between +us, and represented us as being culpable and blameworthy, whereas +it was we, on the contrary, who had every reason to complain of +their injustice committed towards us.</p> + +<p>“I have written to you many times, both officially and +confidentially, and invariably my intentions were misconstrued to +such an extent that the evil consequences spread themselves +unchecked all over Algeria.</p> + +<p>“During our late expedition in the East, and in the numerous +battles we fought, God permitted many prisoners to fall into our +hands. We rejoiced at the circumstance, because it gave us power to +offer an exchange. Last year we were unable to treat for the +deliverance of the Mussulman prisoners in your hands, because we +were not prepared to offer you a proposition which would have +suited you. In previous years, however, we have sent back to +Marshal Bugeaud more than a hundred prisoners without exchange.</p> + +<p>“Lately, when we had a certain number of your subjects in our +power, we wrote more than once to those who represent you to +propose an exchange of prisoners. We received no answer. All the +bearers of our letters were imprisoned. That was a treachery +foreign to French usage. Besides, a message between hostile sides +is always considered neutral.</p> + +<p>“Shortly afterwards it was rumoured amongst the Arabs that the +French prisoners were to be rescued by force. It<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> was known that French agents +had offered large sums of money to any who would conduct the +prisoners to the French outposts. It was, moreover, openly declared +that the Emperor of Morocco had undertaken to rescue the prisoners +in spite of us. Your own agents thus became the chief cause of the +deplorable event which has occurred, by their persistence in +refusing to treat of an exchange of prisoners.</p> + +<p>“We have never made any difference between the prisoners and our +own men as regards their food and lodging. As soon as we saw there +were amongst them men of rank and honour, who scorned to seek for +means of escape, we gave them a marked preference over the others. +We found them grateful. We proposed to set them at liberty. Their +chief (Cognord) knows all the arrangements which were being made +for their liberation. He knows that we never received any reply to +our letters, and that this contemptuous silence was the cause of +the cessation of the good understanding between you and us.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader concluded with an urgent appeal for the release of +some Mussulman prisoners, and a warm exculpation of himself from +all knowledge or connivance at any measures whatever which were +contrary to justice and religion. This letter, like all the +preceding, remained unanswered.</p> + +<p>During Abdel Kader’s late absence from the Deira, several Arab +tribes had been gradually crossing the frontier, and fixing +themselves on Moorish territory. The Moorish Sultan had given them +lands to occupy. The jealousy of the French was awakened. They +feared that the emigrants might eventually become the nucleus of an +invading force. The late massacre added to their impatience. They +called upon Sultan<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> +Abderahman to show at once by his deeds the sincerity of his +professions. They demanded the immediate expulsion of Abdel Kader +from his empire.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, meanwhile, only anxious for freedom from +molestation, had already commenced sowing the grounds near the +Melouia for the subsistence of his Deira. Bou Maza wrote to him +inviting him to join him in renewing the struggle. He rejected the +instigation. With whatever the future might be pregnant, for the +present he sought only repose and tranquillity. But these blessings +he was not allowed to obtain. Mouley Abderahman sent him a letter +to the effect that he must immediately withdraw, with his Deira, +from Moorish territory.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader assembled his followers, and read them the letter. +They unanimously declared it would be ignominious to yield to the +demand of a recreant who had betrayed his faith and signed a +humiliating treaty with the infidel. “We have pledged ourselves by +oath,” they said, “to fight with you to the death. We are ready to +follow you wherever you choose. But into Algeria we will not follow +you. Abdel Kader conveyed these sentiments to Abderahman, promising +at the same time not to attack the French. In his Deira he would +resignedly await the decrees of God.</p> + +<p>The Moorish tribes were now secretly instructed to molest the +Deira. They refused to sell it provisions. Its foraging parties +were attacked and robbed. Abdel Kader wrote a strong appeal to +Abderahman against such conduct. He got neither answer nor redress. +He endured this treatment patiently for six months. Again he +addressed the Moorish Sultan, and warned him that if such +annoyances were continued he should vindicate his own rights.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>In self-defence +he now re-assumed a hostile attitude. His body-guard of 1,200 +cavalry and 800 infantry patrolled the country on all sides. The +Moorish aggressors were chased to their very tents; they were +brought to the Deira and chastised. By a few such acts of vigour +his position was improved; provisions flowed in. More than one +Moorish tribe offered to join the Deira. Wherever Abdel Kader +showed his person he was welcomed with professions of submission +and allegiance; his material strength increased hourly. The large +and influential tribe of the Beni Hamian sent in their +adhesion.</p> + +<p>One night, while the Deira was still at Ain Zohra, an assassin +glided, unperceived by the guards, into the tent of Abdel Kader. +The Sultan was reading. Hearing a footstep, he raised his head, and +saw standing before him a tall, powerful negro, with a dagger in +his hand. Suddenly the man dashed the weapon to the ground, and +threw himself at his feet. “I was going to strike you,” he +exclaimed, “but the sight of you disarmed me. I thought I saw the +halo of the Prophet around your head.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, rising slowly from his seat, and without betraying +the least emotion, placed his hand on the negro’s head and said, +“You came into my tent as an assassin. God, who moved you to repent +of your wicked intention, has ordained that you should leave it an +innocent man. Go, then, and remember that the servant of God has +pardoned you.”</p> + +<p>In the month of July, 1847, the Deira was encamped in Wady +Aslaf, on the territory of the Kabyles of the Rif. While in this +position it was suddenly menaced by a large Moorish force led by +Mouley Hashem, the Sultan’s nephew,<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_256">[256]</span> and the Kaid El Hamra. The Prince began by +sending out a strong reconnaissance, which was immediately repulsed +by the Deira’s outposts. Abdel Kader sent to the Prince to demand +an explanation as to the cause of this hostile proceeding in the +midst of peace. He received a haughty and disdainful answer. That +very night he fell upon the Moorish camp by surprise, and +completely routed and dispersed it. The Kaid El Hamra was slain, +and Mouley Hashem barely escaped with his life.</p> + +<p>A great quantity of baggage was taken, and specie to the amount +of £2,000 English money. Abdel Kader and his chiefs viewed with +mingled feelings of scorn and triumph the splendid cloaks and +burnouses which the Moorish Prince had packed up in cases, for the +purpose of distributing them amongst the Sheiks of the Rif tribes, +and inducing them by such gifts to join him. On his return to the +Deira Abdel Kader found that the Beni Kullayieh, availing +themselves of his absence, had made an irruption into his camp and +carried off all the camels. Without a moment’s repose he pursued +the marauders, slew upwards of a hundred of them, and captured all +their Sheiks.</p> + +<p>The rumour of Abdel Kader’s renewed activity, and of the +momentary gleam of success which shone upon his efforts, was +quickly bruited throughout the Moorish empire. It created a +sensation amongst its fanatic population which thrilled to the very +capital. The emigrant Algerian tribes, which had been located by +order of the Moorish Sultan within three days of Fez, longed to +regain their adored chief. The Beni Amer entered into +correspondence with him, and begged him to assist them in effecting +a junction.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>Sultan +Abderahman got notice of the design. In his terror he fancied Abdel +Kader thundering at his palace and hurling him from his throne. Not +a moment was to be lost; a force of 15,000 men was at once +despatched against Beni Amer. The tribe, taken unawares, was cut to +pieces, while the women and children were carried away into +slavery.</p> + +<p>Such persevering and even barbarous acts of hostility filled +Abdel Kader with despair and indignation. But what could his +handful of men effect against the combined armies of France and +Morocco, amounting to 100,000 men? He determined to make a last +appeal to his old friend, patron, and admirer. He sent his Khalifa, +Bou Hamedi, on a mission to Fez. In the most solemn manner he +invoked the glorious recollections of the past. He claimed the +sacred rites of hospitality in the name of every tie of friendship +and religion.</p> + +<p>But the days of country, of fraternity, of holy sympathy, were +irrevocably past. Mouley Abderahman saw himself daily environed +with fresh difficulties. The French Government hourly demanded the +literal execution of its treaty. Bou Hamedi was thrown into prison, +where he shortly afterwards died. Abdel Kader at length received +the following imperial mandate:—“Abdel Kader must either surrender +himself in person to Sultan Abderahman, or return to the Algerian +desert. In case of refusal or delay, the imperial armies will march +against him.” The last link was thus broken between him and his +only hope. He stood at bay, alone.</p> + +<p>Calm and undismayed, he now saw the toils closing around him. In +the Deira all was grief and despondency. His own brothers had left +him. Ben Salem—the faithful, long-tried,<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_258">[258]</span> and devoted Ben Salem—was a voluntary +prisoner in the French camp. His whole available force barely +amounted to 2,000 men, but among these there were 1,200 horsemen, +the flower of the Algerian cavalry. Most of these men, also, had +been the Sultan’s inseparable companions, partakers in all his +hardships and dangers throughout the whole of his heroic +career.</p> + +<p>During the short period of rest which Abdel Kader now enjoyed, +he daily summoned them around him. He was incessant in vocal prayer +and exhortation. The bronzed old warriors hung with rapture on his +accents. Fired with martial enthusiasm, they prepared for the final +act.</p> + +<p>At other times Abdel Kader retired to his tent, and kept long +and lonely vigils. One night he stood up for seven successive hours +while he repeated off by heart the whole of the Koran, from +beginning to end. In such religious exercises he renewed his soul’s +strength. Ever worthy of his destiny, he now towered above it.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span><a id= +"c20"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1847.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">On</span> the 9th of December, +1847, the Deira was stationed at Agueddin, on the left bank of the +Melouia. It comprised in all about 5,000 souls. Rumours had long +been afloat that the Moroccan army was advancing towards it in +great strength. On the 10th Abdel Kader got positive information +that Muley Mohammed and Muley Soliman, the two sons of Sultan +Abderahman, were at only three hours’ distance, at the head of +upwards of 50,000 men. This force, he learned, was divided into +three grand divisions, with intervals of half a mile between each. +The first division, consisting mostly of Arab auxiliaries, such as +the tribes of the Riff, the Beni Snassen, and others, had taken up +its ground, it was reported, around the ruined castle of +Selwan.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader saw at once that if this imposing array was +permitted to move forwards unmolested, his Deira would inevitably +be captured. On the other hand, to attack it with his small force +seemed to him like to rushing on certain destruction. Feelings of +honour, of chivalry, of revenge, however, all conspired to make him +determine on essaying a desperate effort.</p> + +<p>On the 11th he collected together his 1,200 cavalry and 800 +infantry. After a spirited harangue, he informed them<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> that they must prepare that +very night to follow him to battle. To such a command, amongst such +followers, there could be but one reply. They all departed in +silence to accoutre themselves for the approaching struggle.</p> + +<p>At dead of night they moved on. Two camels, covered entirely +with <em>halfa</em>, a kind of brushwood, and which had been dipped +in tar and pitch, were driven in front of the little column. After +a march of two hours the first division of the enemy was reached; +the <em>halfa</em> around the camels was set fire to, and the +maddened animals plunged furiously on; the infantry fired; the +cavalry, led on by Abdel Kader, charged.</p> + +<p>The amazement and bewilderment of the Moroccans and the Arabs +upon whom this sudden tempest fell was immeasurable. Slumbering in +fancied security during the calm silence of the night, they +suddenly saw the thick darkness illumined by flashes of light, the +glistening of sabres, and the glare of two incomprehensible meteors +sweeping above and around them with unearthly coruscations. The +terrors of superstition were superadded to those of fright and +consternation. The men rushed off in all directions, as though the +gates of hell had been opened and its demons let loose against +them, abandoning arms, tents, and baggage.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Abdel Kader and his cavalry had passed on, and +were in deadly collision with the second division, which in like +manner was surprised, defeated, and dispersed. In less than half an +hour the third division was reached. There, warned by the noise and +tumult in their front, the Moroccan princes had just had time to +draw up some regulars to defend their persons. The intention of +Abdel Kader was to make straight for their tent and make them +prisoners.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> Checked +by a heavy fire of infantry and artillery, he now withdrew; and, as +the day dawned, slowly and steadily he took up a position on an +adjoining eminence, and thence enjoyed the sight of his discomfited +and broken foe.</p> + +<p>At mid-day, 5,000 Moroccan cavalry moved out against him. He +calmly awaited their approach, and when they had arrived at a +charging distance led on his men to the attack, ploughing through +and through their clustering files, and shaking them off like +dew-drops from the lion’s mane. By a skilful combination of assault +and retreat, Abdel Kader and his illustrious cavalcade regained the +Melouia towards sunset.</p> + +<p>Many were the brilliant passages of arms performed by those +giant warriors, who, in that memorable struggle, crowned their long +career of glory by deeds of superhuman valour. Memorable also was +that struggle, as having furnished the closing scene to the +stirring and eventful career of Ibn Yahyié, the favourite and +far-famed Aga of Abdel Kader. Ibn Yahyié was the stalwart champion +of countless combats. He was surnamed “El Sheitan” from his +wondrous exploits and marvellous escapes. In his day he had had +seventeen horses killed under him. It was now his destiny to earn +his last laurels in a martyr’s death.</p> + +<p>The Deira had nearly effected its passage across the river. The +baggage and the spoils taken from the enemy were still traversing +it when Abdel Kader arrived. The Moroccan army advanced, but +cautiously. Their cavalry now only fired long shots, unenvious of +renewing their lately-earned bitter experience.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the situation of Abdel Kader was full of peril. +Never had the Deira been in such imminent danger.<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> The ammunition was expended. +The large quantities of ammunition which Abdel Kader’s followers +had captured and were now bringing in proved useless—it was +unsuited to their muskets. The infantry, therefore, could be turned +to no account. But Abdel Kader still saw his Old Guard around him, +and looked and felt triumphant. Their presence was, in his mind, +the Deira’s safeguard.</p> + +<p>The Melouia was at length passed. Though the foe kept pressing +on, Abdel Kader refused to leave its banks until his Deira was a +full hour in advance, on the plain of Triffa. At last it reached +the river Kis, crossed it about midnight, and ceased to be +molested. It was on French territory.</p> + +<p>Of all that tumultuous crowd of men, women, children, and +animals, not a life had been sacrificed, not a beast of burden had +been lost. Abdel Kader, by his coolness, skill, and intrepidity, +had been its guardian genius. Many a sad blank, however, had been +made in the ranks of that heroic band, which with such unflinching +devotion had answered to the voice of its chief and emulated his +example, throughout the unparalleled foray in which under his +guidance they had been so unequally engaged. Upwards of 200 had +been slain. All were more or less bleeding from wounds. Abdel Kader +himself had had three horses shot under him.</p> + +<p>Leaving his Deira in momentary security, he now turned towards +the hills of the Beni Snassen—a tribe which yet adhered to him in +part. His indomitable cavalry followed in anxious silence, +suffering, wearied, and exhausted. The rain fell in torrents. Heavy +and conflicting thoughts preyed on the mind of the wandering chief. +Though the French were seen in the distance, occupying the +principal pass of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> +the Kerbous, there were yet narrow defiles through which he could +emerge into the Sahara. He might yet try his fortunes. But to what +end? he thought despairingly. How was he to persevere in a bootless +struggle? What force had he at command? On what assistance could he +calculate? Then his thoughts reverted to his aged mother, his wife +and children, his helpless followers, who were within three hours +of the French camp, and might probably enter it ere long a mounted +train, as prisoners of war. In no extremity had Abdel Kader ever +found himself so hopelessly pressed. He felt the crisis of his fate +had come. What he meant to determine, he knew he must determine +quickly.</p> + +<p>He sounded a halt. He ordered his men to close up. When they had +surrounded him, he thus commenced a conference which he had that +moment resolved to open:—</p> + +<p>“Do you remember the oath you took at Medea eight years ago, at +the renewal of the war,” he said—“the oath that you would never +forsake or abandon me, whatever might be your dangers or +sufferings?”</p> + +<p>“We all remember it, and are ready still to adhere to it.” “That +oath,” pursued Abdel Kader, “I have ever considered to be binding +on me towards you, as well as on you towards me. It is this feeling +alone which has made me persevere in our struggle up to this hour, +even against hope. I was resolved that no Mussulman, of whatever +rank or degree, should ever be able to accuse me of binding you to +any engagement which I on my part was not equally prepared to +fulfil; or to say that I had not done all in my power to insure the +triumph of the cause of God. If you think I can yet do anything, +tell me. If not, I ask you to<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_264">[264]</span> release me from the oath I made you +mentally, when I solemnly demanded yours.”</p> + +<p>“We all bear witness before God, that you have done all that it +was in your power to do for his cause. At the day of judgment God +will do you justice.”</p> + +<p>“If that is your opinion, we have now only three courses open +before us—either to return for the Deira, and with it be prepared +to encounter every obstacle; or to seek out a path for ourselves +into the Sahara, in which case, the women, children, and wounded +would not be able to follow us, and must fall into the hands of the +enemy; or, lastly, to submit.”</p> + +<p>“Perish women and children, both ours and yours, so long as you +are safe and able to renew the battles of God. You are our head, +our Sultan; fight or surrender, as you will, we will follow you +wherever you choose to lead.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader paused for a few moments, and then with deep emotion +resumed:—</p> + +<p>“Believe me, the struggle is over. Let us be resigned. God is +witness that we have fought as long as we have been able. If He has +not given us the victory, it is because He has deemed that this +land should belong to the Christians. It signifies very little +whether I remain in the country or not. What more can I do for the +cause we have so long defended together? Can I renew the war? I +shall be defeated; and the Arabs would only be exposed to renewed +sufferings.</p> + +<p>“Besides, the tribes are tired of the war. They would no longer +obey me. We must submit. The only question is, whether we shall +deliver ourselves into the hands of the Christians, or into those +of Mouley Abderahman. In this respect you can do as you judge best. +As for myself, I would<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_265">[265]</span> prefer a thousand times to trust in those +who have fought against me, than in the man who has betrayed me. +Our situation is difficult; and our demands must consequently be +modest. I shall confine myself to asking for a safe conduct for +myself and my family, and those of you who choose to follow me to +another Mussulman country.”</p> + +<p>A doubt was now raised by some of the members of the conference +as to the probability of such a stipulation being faithfully +carried into execution. To this doubt Abdel Kader replied, “Do not +be afraid. The word of the French is one. Either they will not +pledge their word to its fulfilment, and then we can see what is +best to be done; or if they pledge their word, they will keep it.” +“Sultan,” was the universal reply, “let your will be done.”</p> + +<p>The rain was still falling so incessantly that it was impossible +for Abdel Kader to write down his demands. Taking a piece of paper, +he affixed his seal to it, and immediately dispatched it with two +horsemen, who were commissioned to show the seal to the French +General, as a sign of authorisation on his part for demands which +they were to make in his name verbally.</p> + +<p>During the night of the 21st December, Lamoricière had been +informed both of the arrival of the Deira within the French +frontier, and of the direction which Abdel Kader and his little +force had taken. To the Deira he at once sent assurances of safety. +The prize was important. But the concentration of any amount of men +against the camp of Abdel Kader would have been of little permanent +avail, if the redoubtable chief himself were yet at large. Without +a moment’s delay, therefore, Lamoricière started in<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> his pursuit, at the head of a +small column of infantry and cavalry.</p> + +<p>He had scarcely marched three hours when he was unexpectedly +joined by Ben Khouia, a lieutenant of his Arab Spahis, accompanied +by the two emissaries of Abdel Kader. The latter showed him their +master’s seal and stated his demands. Lamoricière was overjoyed. He +granted everything. But, as in the case of Abdel Kader, the rain +prevented him from stating his consent in writing, and his seal was +not in his possession. In this emergency he gave his sword, and the +seal of Commandant Bazaine, to the emissaries, to be presented to +Abdel Kader in token of the acceptance of his conditions.</p> + +<p>At a later period, when taunted in the Chamber of Deputies with +having allowed Abdel Kader to escape, when by a little energy he +could have taken him prisoner, and with having committed a grave +error in so unreservedly granting him the privilege of unrestricted +liberty, Lamoricière thus defended his conduct, defined his +position, and stated the motives which had induced him to sign the +treaty thus attacked:—</p> + +<p>“It has been brought as a charge against me that I entered into +a negotiation in place of marching on. Do you know what I should +have taken if I had marched on? I should have taken his convoy; I +should have made one razzia the more; I should have been able to +report that I had taken the tent of Abdel Kader, his carpet, his +harem, perhaps one of his Khalifas; but he, with his cavalry, would +have gone into the desert.</p> + +<p>“The Emir made a voluntary abdication; and France,<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span> after having thrown the whole +weight of its brave armies upon Algeria, saw the chief who had +preached, excited, and conducted the Holy War, come in the end, and +voluntarily deposit his arms in the hands of the Governor-General. +For France, this was at once a military, a political, and a moral +triumph. The effect produced by it among the natives was immense, +and its consequences have yet to be developed.</p> + +<p>“Abdel Kader is the incarnation of a principle—of a great +religious sentiment; and in Algeria this is the only political +sentiment which unites the population. This principle manifested +itself in the Holy War. It had the same force which legitimacy +formerly possessed amongst us. When a man by the prestige of the +past, by his belief, by his eloquence, by the battles he has +fought, and by the successes he has gained, has become the living +representative of an idea profoundly agitating the masses, an +immense danger is incurred as long as he is left in his +country.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had moved on to the village of Triaret. His +emissaries returned. He convoked his men to deliberate on the +answer which he had received. It was remarked that the promise +given by the French general was merely verbal; and, although the +value of the answer was acknowledged, supported as it was by the +transmission of the general’s sword and the seal of one of his +officers, yet it was considered only prudent, when a decision of +such vital importance to all was to be taken, that a further +guarantee should be claimed.</p> + +<p>The rain having ceased, Abdel Kader now wrote a letter to +Lamoricière, stating his demands, and again dispatched his +emissaries to seek him out. The general had already communicated +the important transaction to the Duc<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_268">[268]</span> D’Aumale, the new Governor-General, who +happened to be in the immediate neighbourhood. On receiving Abdel +Kader’s letter, he had addressed his Royal Highness as +follows:—</p> + +<p>“I have been obliged to make engagements; I have made them, and +I have done so with the fullest confidence that your Royal Highness +and the Government will ratify them if the Emir relies on my +word.</p> + +<p>“I am this instant mounting my horse to go to the Deira. I have +no time to send you a copy of the letter which I have received from +the Emir, or of my reply to it. Suffice it for me to state, that I +have only <em>promised and stipulated</em> that the Emir and his +family shall be conducted to St. Jean d’Acre or Alexandria. These +are the only two places which I have mentioned. They are those +which he designated in his demand, and which I have accepted.”</p> + +<p>With a written stipulation in his possession, in entire +compliance with his own terms, Abdel Kader had no further cause for +hesitation or delay. On the morning of the 23rd of December he +proceeded, accompanied by such of his chiefs and followers as had +decided on sharing his fortunes in a foreign land, to the marabout +(or temple) of Sidi Ibrahim. There he was received by Colonel +Montauban, at the head of 500 cavalry, with all the respect, +sympathy, and consideration due to his exalted rank, to the +recollection of his past glorious deeds, and to the spectacle of +his present heavy and severe misfortune.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader begged for permission to be allowed to enter the +sacred edifice. On this request being granted, he dismounted, and, +on reaching the door, took off his sword, and<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_269">[269]</span> gave it to one of his attendants. His +military career had ended. Hitherto his life had been devoted to +God and his country. Henceforth it was to be devoted to God alone. +After having been an hour engaged in prayer, he came forth, and the +whole cavalcade at once moved on.</p> + +<p>At six o’clock in the evening it reached Djemma Ghazouat, the +head-quarters of the Duc D’Aumale. A few minutes afterwards Abdel +Kader, accompanied by General de Lamoricière, General Cavaignac, +and Colonel Beaufort, was presented to his Royal Highness. After a +moment’s pause he pronounced the following words:—“I had wished to +have done what I am doing this day at an earlier period. I awaited +the hour destined by God. The general has given me a word on which +I fully rely. I am not afraid that it will be broken by the son of +a great king like the King of the French.”</p> + +<p>The Prince, in a few clear and explicit words, pledged himself +that the general’s word and engagements should be strictly +observed. Abdel Kader then withdrew and went to his Deira, which +had recently joined the French encampment.</p> + +<p>The next morning the Duc D’Aumale held a review. Abdel Kader, +riding a magnificent black charger of the purest Arab breed, and +surrounded by his chiefs, awaited his return from the field. On his +Royal Highness approaching he dismounted, and advancing to his +side, said, “I offer you this horse, the last which I have mounted. +It has been a great favourite, but now we must part. It is a +testimony of my gratitude, and I hope it may always carry you in +safety and happiness.” “I accept it,” replied the Prince, “as a +homage rendered to France, the protection of which +country<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> will +henceforth be ever extended towards you; and as a sign that the +past is forgotten.”</p> + +<p>On the 25th December, 1847, Abdel Kader, his family and +followers, embarked in the <em>Asmodeus</em> frigate for Toulon. +All his personal effects, his baggage, his tents, his horses, +mules, and camels, had previously been sold by the French +authorities for 6,000 francs. But even this paltry sum was +afterwards only doled out to him in instalments, and a strict +investigation was even instituted as to the manner in which each +instalment was disbursed. General de Lamoricière accompanied him on +board, and generously made him a present of 4,000 francs. Abdel +Kader, in return, gave him his sword.</p> + +<p>The sensations of joy and triumph excited in France at the news +of Abdel Kader’s surrender were unbounded. Algeria could at last +and with truth be styled “a French colony.” The <em>Moniteur</em> +of January 3rd, 1848, thus alludes to the welcome +intelligence:—“The subjugation of Abdel Kader is an event of +immense importance to France. It assures the tranquillity of our +conquest. It permits us sensibly to reduce the quota of men and +money which we have been sending for so many years to Africa. It +contributes, from this fact alone, to augment the force of France +in Europe. <em>To-day, France can, if necessary, transport to other +quarters the hundred thousand men which held the conquered +populations under her yoke</em>.”</p> + +<p>What a tribute are these words to the genius and ascendancy of +one man!</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span><a id= +"c21"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1847-1848.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Abdel Kader</span> arrived at +Toulon the last week in December, 1847. A few hours, or days at +most, he thought, would suffice for any arrangement which might +still be necessary to facilitate his departure for the East. He was +invited to disembark, though no preparations whatever had been made +to receive him.</p> + +<p>To his surprise, he and his family, and followers, eighty-eight +in all, were marched up to a fortress—the Fortress of Lamalgue. He +remonstrated. He was told not to be alarmed; and it was explained +to him that a certain time was necessary for the requisite +correspondence, either with the Turkish Government, if he was to be +sent to St. Jean d’Acre, or with the Egyptian Government, if he was +to be sent to Alexandria; and that then he could be allowed to +proceed to his place of destination.</p> + +<p>The day after his imprisonment a French officer demanded an +interview. General Daumas came, officially charged by the King of +the French, to make him the most brilliant offers, if he would only +consent to forego the solemn word which had been given him by +General Lamoricière and the Duc D’Aumale when he surrendered. He +was offered a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> +splendid position in France—a royal château, a guard of honour, and +all the pomp and appurtenances of a prince.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader listened to the shameful proposal in contemptuous +silence. Being pressed for a reply, his countenance flashed up, and +fixing his eagle eye on his old friend, he said with warmth, “Have +you ceased to know me? What! is it you who thus speaks to me? Your +diplomatic talents, I have no doubt, are very useful to France; but +I intreat you not to expend them thus uselessly on me.”</p> + +<p>Then, taking up a corner of his burnous with both hands, and +leaning towards the window, he exclaimed, “If you were to bring me, +on the part of your King, all the wealth of France in millions and +in diamonds, and it were possible to place them all in the fold of +my burnous, I would throw them on the instant into the sea which +washes my prison walls, rather than give you back the word which +has been so solemnly given me. That word I will carry with me to my +grave. I am your guest. Make me your prisoner if you will; but the +shame and ignominy will be with you, not with me.”</p> + +<p>He was asked if he would like to go to Paris. “I know,” he +replied, “that Ibrahim Pacha lately visited it, and admired its +wonders. But France was to him a land of hospitality. He was free! +As for me, as long as I remain a prisoner, all France is but a +dungeon. I have no wish to be a victim crowned with garlands.”</p> + +<p>Patient and resigned himself, Abdel Kader infused his followers +with the same spirit. They had hitherto been his subjects, +accustomed to approach him with all the deference and respect due +to royalty. They were now his companions.<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_273">[273]</span> A common calamity had levelled all +barriers. He placed his little means at their disposal, too happy +if he could in any way contribute to their wants and alleviate +their sufferings. “In the position in which I am now placed,” he +said, “I must do as my ancestors have done. I can no longer say, +‘My horse, my burnous, my goods;’ but ‘Our horse, our burnous, our +goods.’”</p> + +<p>One day General Daumas came to visit him. It was in the depth of +winter. Abdel Kader was without a fire. The general expressed his +surprise. “My wood,” he replied, “was finished yesterday, and I +could not bring myself to ask any of my companions to spare me some +of theirs. Poor fellows! in place of taking from them, I wish it +were always in my power to bestow.” “You are not, then, like those +great chiefs who seem to take a pleasure in exhausting their +people,” remarked General Daumas. “If I had resembled such rulers,” +was the reply of Abdel Kader, “would the Arabs have sustained the +struggle with you so long as they did, and sacrificed everything to +uphold me?”</p> + +<p>Day after day passed, and still there came no orders for his +release. A painful uncertainty agitated his mind. At one time +Colonel Beaufort, the Duc D’Aumale’s aide-de-camp, assured him, on +the part of the Prince, that the King had resolved that the +stipulation made with him should be fulfilled. At another time he +was told that the Chamber of Deputies had called its validity in +question.</p> + +<p>On the 28th of February, 1848, Abdel Kader got the news of the +revolution, of the abdication of the king, of the proclamation of +the Republic. He saw at once the immense import of that event to +his own prospects, and felt himself to<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_274">[274]</span> be the sport of a capricious fortune. With +the new Government he had no bond. He could no longer plead for the +sanctity of treaties, of honour, of good faith. He could not expect +an act of generosity, he felt, when he had failed to obtain common +justice.</p> + +<p>The sudden crash of a monarchy, hitherto supposed to be fixed on +a solid and enduring basis, was to him an apposite spectacle. He +moralised to those around him on the worthlessness and instability +of human grandeur. “Behold,” he said to General Daumas, “behold a +Sultan who was everywhere esteemed great and powerful, who had +contracted alliances with other sovereigns, who had a numerous +family to perpetuate his line, who was renowned for his wisdom and +experience! A day has sufficed to overthrow him. Am I not right in +my conviction that there is no other real force, no truth and no +reality, but in the will of God? Believe me, this world is a +carcass; dogs only quarrel over it.”</p> + +<p>He received a visit from M. Olivier, Commissary-General of the +Provisional Government. The great Republic had deigned to think of +its captive. But it approached him not as a Paladin, chivalrously +determined to redeem French honour, but as a suppliant, trembling +at the magic of a name which, even in its collapse, was of ominous +import to French dominion. He was asked what guarantees he could +give to France that he would not appear again in Algeria.</p> + +<p>“I have no other guarantee to give of my unchangeable resolution +for the future,” he replied, “but that which I have already given. +If I had not wished to surrender I should not have been here. I +came to you freely and voluntarily. This guarantee is worth all +others.” “Would you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> +sign with your hand,” pursued the delegate, “and will the chiefs +who are around you sign with their hands, a document sworn to on +the Koran, by which you solemnly declare that you will never appear +again in Algeria, or mix yourselves up, directly or indirectly, in +its affairs?” “Such a document I would sign with my eyes, if my +hands were not sufficient.” Abdel Kader was then asked to address a +letter to the Provisional Government, enclosing a document to that +effect. He penned and forwarded the following <em>précis</em>:—</p> + +<p>“Praise be to the one God, whose empire alone is +everlasting.</p> + +<p>“To the upholders of the Republic which governs France, and who +are, with regard to it, as the eyes and limbs are to the body.</p> + +<p>“Sidi Olivier, your commissioner, has been to see me. He has +informed me that the French, with one accord, have abolished +royalty, and have decreed that their country shall henceforward be +a Republic.</p> + +<p>“I was rejoiced at the news, for I have read in books that such +a form of government has for its object to root out injustice, and +to prevent the strong from doing violence to the weak. You are +generous men. You desire the good of all; and your acts are +expected to be dictated by the spirit of justice. God has appointed +you to be the protectors of the unhappy and afflicted. I look to +you, therefore, as my natural protectors. Remove the veil of grief +which has been thrown over me. I seek justice at your hands.</p> + +<p>“That which I have done not one of you can condemn. I defended +my country and my religion as long as I could; and I am persuaded +that, as noble-minded men, you cannot<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_276">[276]</span> but applaud me. When I was conquered—when +it was impossible for me any longer to doubt that God, for +inscrutable reasons, had withdrawn his support from me—I decided to +withdraw from the world. It was then, when I could have found an +asylum with perfect ease amongst the Berbers, or the tribes of the +Sahara, that I consented to place myself in the hands of the +French.</p> + +<p>“I was convinced that when once they promised to do so, they +would convey me to the country whither I declared it my wish to go. +It was with this conviction that I selected France wherein to put +my trust; for the word of France up to this day has been held to be +inviolable. I demanded from General Lamoricière that I should be +conveyed to Alexandria, without touching at Oran, or Algiers, or +any port in France.</p> + +<p>“To this demand he not only gave a verbal adhesion, but sent me +a letter solemnly guaranteeing the fulfilment of my wish, signed +with his name in French, and sealed with his Arabic seal. When this +letter reached me, believing the word of the French was +<em>one</em>, I gave myself up into his hands. At present this +belief is shaken. Confirm me in it by giving me my liberty. You +have accomplished a work which promises to confer happiness on all. +Let me not be a solitary exception.</p> + +<p>“Often have I said to myself, ‘Had the French taken me prisoner +in battle, they would have treated me well; for they are brave and +generous, and know how to hold the balance between the conqueror +and the conquered.’ Well, I have not been made prisoner. I gave +myself up of my own free will. Some of you may imagine that, +regretting the step I took, I<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_277">[277]</span> still harbour thoughts of returning to +Algeria. That can never be. I may actually be numbered amongst the +dead. My sole wish is to be allowed to go to Mecca and Medina, +there to worship and adore the all-powerful God, until He calls me +to Him.</p> + +<p>“Receive my salutations.</p> + +<p class="right pad-right2">“<span class="sc">Abdel Kader ibn +Mehi-ed-Deen</span>.</p> + +<div class="sign"> +<p>“9 <em>Rebia il Oual</em>, 1264.<br> +“<em>March</em>, 1848.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="space-above15">Within this letter was enclosed the +document demanded at his hands. It ran as follows:—</p> + +<p class="center space-above15">“Praise be to the One God.</p> + +<p>“I give you a sacred word which cannot be doubted.</p> + +<p>“I declare that I will never henceforward excite troubles +against the French, either in person, or by letters, or by any +other means whatsoever.</p> + +<p>“I make this oath before God, by Mohammed (praise and salutation +be to him), by Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Christ; by the Pentateuch, +the Gospel, and the Koran. I make this oath with my heart as well +as with my hand and tongue.</p> + +<p>“This oath is binding on me and on my companions, one hundred +and more in number; on those who sign this document, and on those +who sign it not, being unable to write.</p> + +<p>“Salutation from <span class="sc">Abdel Kader ibn +Mehi-ed-Deen</span>.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">Abdel Kader felt assured that these +documents, having been officially demanded, would prove the +immediate prelude to his release. The dawn of each successive day +was hailed as the harbinger of liberty. At last the anxiously +expected<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span> answer +arrived. It was opened with impatience. Its substance was, that +“the Republic considered itself bound by no obligation to Abdel +Kader, and that it took him as the previous Government had left +him—a prisoner.”</p> + +<p>The bitter mockery pierced Abdel Kader to the heart. He sunk +into the deepest despondency. Life was a burden to him, he +declared. General Daumas approached him with words of consolation. +“How can you be surprised,” he exclaimed in reply, with mournful +earnestness, “that my resignation should falter before the +greatness of my calamity? My family, my followers, are in despair. +My aged mother and the women of my household weep night and day, +and no longer credit the hope I am obliged to hold out to them.</p> + +<p>“What do I say? Not only the women, but the men, give way to +lamentations. Their state is such, that I am persuaded if our +captivity is much prolonged, many will die. And it is I who am the +cause of all this misery! I alone persisted in surrendering to the +French. None of them willingly consented to it. You have, indeed, +made me a deceiver; and now they all reproach me for my confidence +in you.</p> + +<p>“Is there no tribunal in France especially charged to hear the +cries and reclamations of the injured? Call together all your +Ulemas, and I undertake to convince them of my rights. Ah! the +Republic is far different from that Sultan who, having become deaf, +was seen to weep; and being asked the cause of his tears, replied, +‘I weep because I can no longer hear the complaints of the +distressed and afflicted.’”</p> + +<p>An order came for the removal of the prisoners to the Château of +Pau. They arrived there April 20th, 1848. The<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_279">[279]</span> authorities had been informed that +English agents were in the neighbourhood seeking to facilitate +Abdel Kader’s escape. The windows of the château were barred with +iron. Sentinels paced under them night and day.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader smiled inwardly at all these precautions. The season +of suspense was over. He felt himself a prisoner for life, and he +stoically reconciled himself to his fate. A severe self-control +disciplined his hitherto tempestuous emotions. The magnanimity of +his soul resumed its wonted ascendancy. In a man possessing the +mental energy and resources of Abdel Kader, there could be no such +feeling as that of solitude. But the outer world now pressed on +him. He accepted its diversion as a duty rather than a pleasure. +Crowds from all parts of France knocked at the portals of the +château. Impelled by mingled feelings of curiosity, sympathy, and +admiration, statesmen, diplomatists, and warriors, vied with each +other in doing homage to the august prisoner in his misfortunes. +Abdel Kader was obliged to hold levees, which sometimes lasted for +hours.</p> + +<p>All were charmed with the loftiness and originality of his +observations, the delicacy of his allusions, the felicity of his +compliments. Above all, they were astonished to find that, so far +from upbraiding those who had been the cause of his severe trial, +he seemed to take a pleasure in suggesting extenuating +circumstances for their conduct, and in endeavouring to relieve +them of the burden of their treason and their shame.</p> + +<p>General Daumas was his constant attendant. The general +impression respecting Abdel Kader may be gathered from the +following letter, addressed by the General to +Monseigneur<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> Dupuch, +the Bishop of Algiers:—“You are going to see the illustrious +prisoner of the Château of Pau. Oh! you will certainly not regret +your journey. You have known Abdel Kader in his prosperity, at a +time when, so to speak, all Algeria acknowledged his rule. Well, +you will find him greater and more extraordinary in his adversity +than he was in his prosperity. Still, as ever, he towers to the +height of his position.</p> + +<p>“You will find him mild, simple, affectionate, modest, resigned, +never complaining; excusing his enemies—even those at whose hands +he may yet have much to suffer—and never permitting evil to be +spoken of them in his presence. Mussulmans and Christians alike, +however justly he might complain of them, have found his +forgiveness. He throws the conduct of the former on the force of +circumstances. The safety and honour of the flag under which they +fought explains that of the latter. In going to console such a +noble, such an exalted character, you will add another work of +sanctity to those by which your life is already distinguished.”</p> + +<p>The Christian bishop and the Arab chief had long been bound by +ties of common fellowship in deeds of mercy and compassion; and +Abdel Kader selected his magnanimous coadjutor in the convention of +Sidi Khalifa as the depository of his inmost thoughts and +reflections. His correspondence with the bishop was constant and +unremitting.</p> + +<p>Latterly he wrote, “As you may have discovered in the mirrors of +our conversation, I was not born to be a warrior. It seems to me I +ought never to have been one for a single day. Yet I have borne +arms all my life. Mysterious are the<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_281">[281]</span> designs of Providence! It was only by a +wholly unforeseen concourse of circumstances that I suddenly found +myself thrown so completely out of the career pointed out to me by +my birth, my education, and my predilection—a career which, as you +well know, I ardently long to resume, and to which I never cease +praying to God to allow me to return, now at the close of my +laborious years.”</p> + +<p>A record of all the remarks made by Abdel Kader to his numerous +visitors would require in themselves a volume. Not one left him +without carrying away and treasuring up some charming efflorescence +of his facile and comprehensive intellect. A distinguished advocate +assured him of the sympathies of an influential statesman. “I +believe there is a little fire of affection for me in his heart,” +replied Abdel Kader; “but do not let that prevent you from +supplying it at times with fuel.”</p> + +<p>When grasping simultaneously the hand of a priest and that of an +officer, he remarked, “I like such visits and such faces, because +one knows you at the first glance. Yours is the double uniform of +devoted souls and generous hearts.”</p> + +<p>To a numerous company he once said, “I see around me kind and +amiable people, who are pleased to extol the few good qualities +which I possess by the favour of Heaven; but I fear there is no +real friend here to tell me of my defects, which are much more +numerous.”</p> + +<p>“I am often afraid for you,” said the Archbishop of Tours, “when +I think of the rigour of our climate.” “It is true your climate is +cold, but the warmth of your reception makes me forget it,” was the +reply of Abdel Kader.</p> + +<p>On receiving a colonel at the head of his staff, he +said,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span> “I thank you, +colonel, I am deeply touched by your visit, and that of your brave +companions. You have fought me bravely in Africa, and vanquished +me. I adore the designs of God. Your present visit shows me that +you think that I also did my duty; but of that you are the best +judges. Again I thank you. After all, without alluding to any in +particular, there ought to be many an officer in the French army +who should be grateful to me, since but for me many a colonel would +be still a captain, and many a general a colonel.”</p> + +<p>To a statesman he thus generously expressed himself:—“I am not +irritated at the previous delays in the execution of the convention +between me and General de Lamoricière. I know well that in the +actual position of France it would be indiscreet and importunate in +me to press the matter too strongly. I only beg not to be +overlooked too long.”</p> + +<p>A beautiful <em>bouquet</em> having been presented to him by +some ladies, he addressed them in the following strain of Eastern +compliment, “In looking at this, and inhaling the perfume of so +many lovely flowers, I seem to see a symbol of your hearts, and to +breathe their delicious odours.”</p> + +<p>The continued succession of visitors at last fatigued him. He +begged that the hours of reception might be restricted. All beheld +the serenity, the cheerfulness of his aspect with wonder and +astonishment; but who could fathom the inward and silent sufferings +of that ardent and impassioned soul, which had worn itself out to +absolute exhaustion during fifteen years, in contending bravely for +its country’s independence; which had only consented to relinquish +the sacred struggle in order to save the domestic hearth; and which +now,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> far from both +home and country, saw all those most dear to it gradually sinking +under the slow and lingering agony of imprisonment and exile?</p> + +<p>Still, as the illustrious captive sought to fortify his spirits +by those religious exercises and consolations which had been his +life-long strength and support, the waters of affliction rose +around him. In vain he strove to propitiate Heaven by penitential +abnegation, by the most rigorous fasts, by the most persevering +prayers. A remorseless fate seemed as it were commissioned to hold +him in its iron grasp. Death was almost daily ravishing from him +the dearest objects of his love and solicitude.</p> + +<p>Scarcely were his eyes dried from weeping over such of his +faithful companions as had expired in his arms, than they were bent +with feverish anxiety on those whom he still saw before him sinking +under the complicated ravages of disease, melancholy, and despair. +After having wept over a son, a daughter, a nephew of the brightest +hopes, he trembled for his mother and mother-in-law, whose advanced +age and infirmities seemed more especially to mark them out as the +next victims.</p> + +<p>But despite all these cruel trials, Abdel Kader maintained an +unshaken equanimity of look and demeanour. His words never ceased +to breathe the spirit of heroic resignation. A sympathising voice +once reproached him for his pious austerities. “Why,” he replied, +with a melancholy smile, “why grudge me the consolation and hope of +thus rendering my prayers less unworthy to Him to whom I pour them +out from the bottom of my heart, and who yet, perhaps, one of these +days, may answer them from his throne on<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_284">[284]</span> High?” With Job he seemed to exclaim, +“Though He slay me, yet will I put my trust in Him.”</p> + +<p>Such saint-like simplicity of character, such humility, such +almost feminine grace and gentleness, combined as they were in +Abdel Kader with all the lion-like qualities which exalt and +dignify the manly nature, composed a <em>beau-ideal</em> of moral +and physical grandeur, which involuntarily extorted enthusiastic +reverence and adoration. The extraordinary fascination which he +exercised on all around him, whether resplendent with the flashing +of thousands of sabres unsheathed around him at his command, or +enveloped in a prison’s gloom, is attested by instances of devotion +and attachment too numerous to be mentioned.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had left Algeria for ever, but the magic spell of +his name still remained, and it remains to this day. When some Arab +chiefs, after the surrender of the Sultan, visited the stables of +the French authorities at Mostaganem, the last person in the minds +of the latter was probably Abdel Kader, of whose ominous presence +they had been happily relieved. To their surprise they saw the Arab +chiefs throwing themselves frantically on a splendid black +stallion, kissing its neck, its shoulders, its very feet. It had +been Abdel Kader’s charger. “It has borne him! it has borne him!” +was the repeated outburst of their irrepressible feelings, and with +difficulty they were torn away.</p> + +<p>When Kara Mohammed, Abdel Kader’s equerry, and his inseparable +companion in all his battles, dangers, and reverses, looked on a +porter at the gates of the château still wearing the royal livery, +he could not help exclaiming, “What! your master is in England and +you here! We<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span> would +cross mountains and seas to follow our master to the ends of the +earth. In receiving his benefits we are bound to him for life and +death.”</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding all Abdel Kader’s efforts and exhortations, his +followers gave way to a hopeless despondency. These sons of the +desert, to whom the boundless plains of the Sahara had been a home +and the distant horizon the only limit, languished and pined away +in their novel and dreary abode. The iron had entered into their +soul.</p> + +<p>At last an order came for their release. The bearer of the news +expected to be hailed with cries of joy and delight. “No, no!” they +all with one accord exclaimed, “while <em>he</em> is a captive, +none of us will separate our lot from his!”</p> + +<p>“But your master is going to be removed to another fortress,” +was the answer, “where you will be even more strictly confined than +at present.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind,” was the general cry. “What signifies? We are +willing to suffer more if necessary: but quit <em>him</em> in his +misfortune we never will.”</p> + +<p>In the month of June, 1848, General de Lamoricière was appointed +Minister of War. Abdel Kader now anticipated with certainty the +near approach of his deliverance. The man who had pledged his word +to him was in power. In the pressure of public affairs, however, +Abdel Kader feared he might be overlooked. He hastened, therefore, +to address the general a letter, in which he solemnly abjured him +to vindicate his own honour, as well as the national honour of +France. Days, weeks, months elapsed, and no answer was +vouchsafed.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader maintained his usual imperturbability; but his +Algerines became furious. They formed a conspiracy to<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> fall on their guard, unarmed +as they were, kill as many as they could, and taste in a desperate +self-sacrifice the sweetness of revenge. “We thought not of +escape,” they afterwards avowed. “We wanted to die, that our blood +might be an eternal shame to France, inasmuch as we should have +been slain for reclaiming the execution of the promise made to our +master.” Abdel Kader, duly averted of this mad design, interposed +in time to thwart it.</p> + +<p>The Minister of War was also apprised of it. He dreaded a +catastrophe. He sent an officer to the despairing and overtortured +captives, with an offer of freedom. It was then they returned the +noble and sublime answer already recorded. On the 2nd November, +1848, they voluntarily followed their beloved master to the Château +of Amboise.</p> + +<p>An order had preceded them. Neither Abdel Kader nor any of his +suite was to be allowed to have intercourse with persons from +without. They were neither to be permitted to receive nor to write +letters. The privilege of freely receiving visitors was to be taken +from them. No applicant for an interview was to be granted his +request without an especial permission from the Minister of +War.</p> + +<p>This order was signed “De Lamoricière!”</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span><a id= +"c22"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1848-1853.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Although</span> the republican +Government of France had acquiesced in the perpetration of this +glaring act of perfidy to Abdel Kader, the President of the +Republic raised his voice in vindication of the cause of right and +justice. On the 14th of January, 1849, twenty-four days after his +election to the presidency, Louis Napoleon convened an +extraordinary council to take the subject into consideration.</p> + +<p>In the warmest terms he pleaded the prisoner’s cause. He +insisted on the voluntary surrender, the frank and noble reliance +on French honour on the one hand, and the word pledged and the +convention signed on the other. Such language, emanating from the +heir of the illustrious captive of St. Helena, had more than the +weight of a protest; it had in some respects the sanctity of a +reminiscence. Though supported by Bugeaud and Changarnier, the +President’s views were overruled. The Minister of War, General +Rulhière, refused to incur the responsibility of sanctioning the +release of Abdel Kader, and successfully opposed such a step.</p> + +<p>Animated by feelings of esteem and sympathy for his fallen +adversary, Marshal Bugeaud now wrote Abdel Kader a letter +suggesting a course which, while it would diminish the +bitter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> sense of +captivity, would assure him an easy and even enviable +existence:—</p> + +<p>“I would wish you to decide on adopting France as your country, +and to ask the Government to make you a grant of property, with +right of descent to your heirs. You would thus have a position +equal to that of our most influential men, and be able to practise +your religion, and bring up your children according to your +wishes.</p> + +<p>“I am aware such a prospect may have little in it to seduce you; +but it is one which ought to weigh with you, for the future of your +children, and the fate of the numerous persons who surround you. +You see they are languishing and dying of <em>ennui</em>. Were they +employed on a property belonging to you, their mode of life, on the +contrary, would be pleasant and agreeable. The cultivation of the +soil would amuse them; they might have the diversion of sporting. +The pursuits of agriculture would daily offer them fresh subjects +of interest; and nothing tends more to cheer the spirits than the +sight of nature elaborated by man’s own exertions.</p> + +<p>“Such is the sincere advice I give you, dictated by the feelings +of extraordinary interest which your misfortunes, and the great +qualities with which you have been endowed by God, has raised +within me.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was inflexible. He steadily persisted in refusing to +hear of any compromise; and he thus replied:—“If all the treasures +of the world were laid out before me, and it was proposed to put +them in the balance with my liberty, I would choose my liberty. I +demand neither grace nor favour. I demand the execution of the +engagements which have been made with me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span>“I demanded, as +the condition of my surrender, the word of a Frenchman. A French +general gave it me without restriction and without conditions. +Another general, the King’s son, confirmed it. France was thus +bound to me as I to her. To desire to obliterate the past is now to +desire an impossibility. I will not give you back your word. I will +die with it to your eternal disgrace and dishonour; kings and +people will then learn, from my example, what confidence is to be +placed in the word of a Frenchman.”</p> + +<p>The question of Abdel Kader’s liberation was now to all +appearance postponed indefinitely. He himself ceased to allude to +it. He found consolation in his books, his studies, and devotions. +His hours were so strictly appropriated to their respective duties, +that time passed lightly. He now occupied himself with literary +composition.</p> + +<p>Two works, one on the “Unity of the Godhead,” another entitled +“Hints for the Wise, Instruction for the Ignorant,” were the fruits +of his mental labours. The first-mentioned work is a collation and, +at the same time, an able exposition of all the arguments which +support and elucidate that vital doctrine of the Mohammedan faith. +The latter is divided into three parts. The first part treats of +the advantages of learning; the second, of religion and morality; +the third, of the art of writing and general science.</p> + +<p>Although Abdel Kader had permission to take exercise in the park +which surrounded his prison, he never availed himself of the +privilege. Indeed, he rarely left his apartment, except to repair +to the room where his family and suite assembled for prayer. His +medical man urged the necessity of out-door exercise. “No health,” +he replied, “can come to me within<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_290">[290]</span> the bounds of a prison. What I want is the +air of liberty; that alone can revive me.”</p> + +<p>Time creeped on. At last came a change as joyful as it was +unexpected. Louis Napoleon, disgusted with the party jealousies +which thwarted his measures, had appealed to the national +sentiment. He showed himself to France. He visited the provinces. +On arriving at Blois, he sent word to M. Boissonet, who commanded +in the Château of Amboise, situated not far distant from that town, +that it was his intention to pay Abdel Kader a visit.</p> + +<p>The ultimate design of the Prince President in making this visit +had been surmised by the general officers and ministers of state +who were around him. St. Arnaud and others tendered him their +counsels, and suggested caution. But the Prince was resolute. The +necessity of vindicating the national honour, too long tarnished by +breach of faith, prevailed in his mind over every other +consideration. On the 16th of October, 1852, the Prince and his +suite drove in carriage to the Château of Amboise.</p> + +<p>On the way he had written out in pencil the following +document:—</p> + +<p class="space-above15">“<span class="sc">Abdel Kader</span>,</p> + +<p class="pad4">“I am come to announce to you your liberty. You +will be conducted to Broussa, in the Sultan’s territory, as soon as +the necessary arrangements can be made. The French Government will +give you a pension worthy of your former rank.</p> + +<p>“For a long time your captivity has caused me real distress. It +constantly reminded me that the Government which +preceded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> mine had +not fulfilled its engagements towards an unfortunate enemy; and in +my eyes a great nation is humiliated, when it so far mistrusts its +own power as to break its promise. Generosity is always the best +counsellor; and I am convinced that your residence in Turkey will +in nowise affect the tranquillity of my possessions in Africa.</p> + +<p>“Your religion, as well as mine, inculcates submission to the +decree of Providence. Now, if France is supreme in Algeria, it is +because God has so willed it; and the nation will never renounce +the conquest. You have been the enemy of France, but I nevertheless +am ready to do ample justice to your courage, your character, and +your resignation in misfortune. I, consequently, feel it to be a +point of honour to put an end to your imprisonment, and to +entertain a complete reliance on your word.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">Overpowered with gratitude, Abdel Kader +poured forth his heartfelt thanks. His aged mother begged to be +allowed to see the generous and noble-minded ruler, who had shed +such joy and consolation through her household; and on being +presented to Louis Napoleon, covered him with her benedictions. +After hastily partaking of the “couscoussu,” the national dish of +Algeria, the Prince departed. As he disappeared in the distance, +Abdel Kader turned to his followers and said, “Others have +overthrown and imprisoned me, but Louis Napoleon alone has +conquered me.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was now desirous of doing homage to his deliverer in +the capital. He obtained permission to go to Paris, and arrived +there October 28th, 1852. A worthy reception had been arranged for +him by order of the Prince.<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_292">[292]</span> A popular demonstration awaited him. Crowds +thronged the streets through which he passed, and gazed at him with +mingled pride and curiosity. The feelings of a warlike people were +gratified by his presence; but respect for the great military +renown of the Arab chief was the prevailing motive.</p> + +<p>The very evening of his arrival, Abdel Kader was invited to +visit the Grand Opera. He excused himself at first on account of +fatigue; but, being told that the Prince was to be there, he +consented to go. He was conducted to the box in which the Prince +sat. Abdel Kader stooped to kiss hands, but the Prince, amidst loud +applause, embraced him. Then, placing the ancient enemy of France +by his side, he showed him the most marked attention.</p> + +<p>An invitation was now given to Abdel Kader to visit the Prince +President at the palace of St. Cloud; and thither, accordingly, he +went on the 30th October, accompanied by his equerry Kara Mohammed, +Ben Allal, nephew of his celebrated Khalifa Sidi Embarak, Sidi +Kudoor, and a staff of French officers especially deputed to escort +him. He arrived a few minutes before the time appointed for his +audience. There was a clock in the waiting room, which he was told +indicated the exact time of day at Mecca. Delighted with the +incident, he set his own watch by the time of the Holy City of his +faith. He found it was exactly the hour for afternoon prayer; and +in the presence of all assembled he knelt down and prayed.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards he was presented to the Prince President, who +stood surrounded by his great officers of state. The ceremony over, +Abdel Kader asked permission to say a<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_293">[293]</span> few words. Leave having been granted, he +thus expressed himself, not without considerable emotion.</p> + +<p>“Highness, I am not accustomed to your usages. Perhaps I am +about to commit a fault; but I wish to express my sentiments to +you, and the exalted personages I see around me. Others have made +promises which they have not fulfilled. Your Highness has fulfilled +engagements which you had not contracted. Thanks to your +generosity, I shall be enabled to go and live in a Mussulman +country. Words vanish like the winds. Writing is durable. I offer +your Highness this paper. It contains a written promise.”</p> + +<p>He then placed the following declaration in the Prince’s +hands:—</p> + +<p class="center space-above15">“Praise be to the One God!</p> + +<p>“May God ever continue to protect and preserve our lord, Louis +Napoleon, and guide and direct his judgment.</p> + +<p>“He who presents himself to you is Abdel Kader, the son of +Mehi-ed-deen. I come before your Highness to thank you for your +bounties, and to gratify myself with a sight of your countenance. +You are, in fact, dearer to me than any other friend, for you have +conferred on me a benefit which exceeds my power of thanking you, +but which is worthy of the nobleness of your character, and the +splendour of your position. May God glorify you.</p> + +<p>“You are of the number of those who neither make useless +protestations, nor deceive by falsehood. You have had confidence in +me. You have not listened to those who mistrust me. You have given +me liberty; and, without having made me any promises, you have +fulfilled engagements which others made with me without fulfilling +them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span>“I come then to +swear to you, by the covenant and promises of God, and by the +promises of all the prophets and messengers, that I will never do +anything contrary to the trust you have reposed in me, and that I +will religiously keep this my oath never to return to Algeria. When +God ordered me to arise, I arose. I employed gunpowder to the +utmost extent of my means and ability. But when he ordered me to +cease, I ceased. It was then that I abandoned power and +surrendered.</p> + +<p>“My religion and my honour alike ordain me to keep my oaths and +to scorn deceit. I am a <em>shereef</em>, and no one shall ever +accuse me of treachery. How, indeed, could that be possible to me +after having received such great benefits at your hands? A benefit +is a golden chain thrown over the neck of the noble-minded. I +venture to hope that you will deign to think of me even when I am +far away, and that you will place me on the list of your intimate +friends; for although I may not equal them in their services, I at +least equal them in their affection towards you. May God increase +the love of those who love you, and strike terror into the hearts +of your enemies.”</p> + +<p>To this solemn protestation Louis Napoleon replied,—</p> + +<p>“Abdel Kader, I never mistrusted you. I had no need of this +written paper which you so nobly offer me. I never demanded from +you, as you know, either promise or oath. You have chosen, +nevertheless, to draw up and deliver into my hands this document. I +accept it. This spontaneous avowal of your sentiments and feelings +proves to me that I was right in placing unlimited confidence in +you.”</p> + +<p>When the audience was over, Abdel Kader was shown +all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span> the apartments +of the palace, and then taken to see the Prince’s stud. He +particularly admired a magnificent white Arab horse. “The horse is +yours,” said the Prince, who was present. “I hope it will make you +forget that you have been so long without one. You must try it with +me in the park to-morrow, at a review of cavalry, which I have +ordered expressly in your honour.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader mounted his new steed the following day, and rode by +the side of the Prince to the review. To a courteous inquiry from +the latter as to the health of his aged mother, Abdel Kader replied +with animation, “During my captivity my mother required a staff to +bear the weight of her body, bent down with years; but since I am +free, by your Highness’s generosity, she has thrown off the weight +of years and walks without support.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was present at another grand review at Versailles. +He dined with the Prince twice. All the ministers gave him grand +entertainments, and he daily received visits from statesmen, +generals, and men of science. He was mostly touched, however, by +the visits of several officers who had formerly been his prisoners, +and who had come to thank him for the kindness and attention they +had received at his hands during their captivity.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader afterwards visited all the public edifices of Paris. +On entering the church of the Madeleine, he said to the priest who +accompanied him, “When I first began my struggle with the French I +thought they were a people without religion. I found out my +mistake. At all events, such churches as these would soon convince +me of my error.”</p> + +<p>He then asked to be taken to the residence of his +old<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> friend M. +Dupuch, Bishop of Algiers. “Having consecrated my first visit to +God,” he said, “the next should be to the best of his +servants.”</p> + +<p>Going through the Notre Dame, he stopped to examine all the +marvels of art and relics which it contains, with an attention +which, as coming from a Mussulman, surprised the bystanders. Its +sculptures, its paintings, the mantle worn by Napoleon I. at his +coronation, and the piece of the true cross given by Baldwin to +Louis XII., all successively engaged his attention.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the Hôtel des Invalides, the first request of +Abdel Kader was, as usual, to be taken to the church. The temple +where the Deity was worshipped was invariably the first place to +which he directed his steps. He viewed with a soldier’s interest +and satisfaction the numerous flags with which it was adorned. +Amongst them were some of his own standards. When his eye fell on +them he gazed on them for a while in silence, and then quietly +observed, “Those times are past. I wish to forget them. Let us +always endeavour to live in the present.”</p> + +<p>At the tomb of Napoleon he again paused long. At length he +spoke: “All that the genius of man and the wealth of the world +could possibly do,” he said, “would be merely to give this tomb a +pale reflex of that greatness which filled the world with its +glory.” As he turned away he remarked, “I have now seen what was +mortal of the great captain; but where is the place where his name +is not still living?”</p> + +<p>The hospital particularly struck him. The patients stood up as +he passed by. One old soldier had even risen with pain and +difficulty from his bed, as a mark of respect to the<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> great warrior. Abdel Kader +stopped before him, shook him by the hands, and made him the +following address:—“How worthy it is of a great people thus to +watch over the old age of its brave defenders, and to employ the +best medical advice for the cure of wounds received in the +country’s defence! I have seen the tomb of Napoleon, and touched +his sword; and I should leave this place completely happy were it +not for the thought that there may be some here who have been +disabled by me or mine. But I only defended my country; and the +French, who are just and generous, will pardon me, and perhaps +admit that I was an open and honest enemy, one not altogether +unworthy of them.”</p> + +<p>The Museum of Artillery and the imperial printing establishment +were the next objects of his inspection. The autographic press +produced under his very eyes, to his intense astonishment, a +facsimile of the document he had presented to the Prince. After +minutely watching the process of printing, and the marvellous +rapidity with which impressions were thrown off, he exclaimed, +“Yesterday I saw the batteries of war—here I see the batteries of +thought.”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had now a parting interview with Louis Napoleon. The +Prince announced his intention of presenting him with a sword of +honour. “But,” he added, “I wish it to be worthy of you; and I +regret that, notwithstanding the diligence of the workmen, I shall +not be able to give it you before your departure for Broussa.” The +blade of this sword, which Abdel Kader afterwards received, is of +the time of the Abassiades, who flourished at the commencement of +the Mohammedan era. On it have been inscribed the words—“The Sultan +Napoleon III. to the Emir Abdel Kader, son<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_298">[298]</span> of Mehi-ed-deen.” The next day Abdel Kader +returned to Amboise.</p> + +<p>On the 21st of November the French people were called upon to +elect an emperor. Abdel Kader claimed the right of suffrage. By a +singular coincidence, the day was the anniversary of that on which, +twenty years before, he had himself been elected Sultan of the +Arabs. His claim was admitted, and a ballot-box was made expressly +for the occasion. In this box he deposited his own vote and those +of twelve of his suite.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader returned to Paris to be present at the proclamation +of the empire. He stood amidst the great officers of state and +public functionaries who assembled at the Tuileries to offer the +Emperor their congratulations. As soon as the latter perceived him +he went up to him, shook him by the hands, and said, “You see your +vote has brought me good luck.” “Sire,” replied Abdel Kader, “my +vote is of no value but as it is the interpreter of my heart.”</p> + +<p>On the 11th of December, Abdel Kader, with his family and suite, +left Amboise for the East. The same attention and hospitality which +had been shown to him in Paris awaited him in all the provincial +towns through which he passed. At Lyons, the Comte de Castellane +gave him a splendid reception. A banquet was offered to him, and a +review of the garrison held in his honour. When Abdel Kader +approached the lines he was saluted with military honours. +Delighted with this unexpected mark of respect, he turned to the +noble marshal who rode by his side, and exclaimed, “The Emperor +gave me liberty, but you have adorned her with garlands.”</p> + +<p>On the 21st of December, Abdel Kader embarked on +board<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> the +<em>Labrador</em> for his final destination. The steamer touched at +Sicily. He landed, and, attended by the governor, made a tour in +the interior. He ascended Etna. At his departure he addressed a +letter of thanks to that officer, in which he thus records his +impressions of what he had seen:—“We have everywhere met with the +traces of the various populations who have inhabited your island. +The sight made us reflect that God is indeed the Lord of the +universe, and that He gives the land to whom He wills. The mountain +of fire is truly one of the wonders of the world. On viewing from +its heights the highly cultivated and thickly populated plains +which spread out before us, we thought of the Arab poet’s lament on +the evacuation of Sicily by the Saracens, ‘The recollection of you, +O plains of Sicily, from the heights of Etna, makes my despair! If +my tears were not salt, they should make rivers of water for this +glorious island. An inhabitant of Paradise only is fit to recount +the wonders of Sicily.’”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader arrived at Constantinople, January 7, 1853. On +landing he went directly to the grand mosque of Tophané, filled +with joy and gratitude at finding himself once more in a temple of +the Prophet. The French ambassador gave a grand entertainment in +his honour, to which the principal personages of the Frank society +were invited. This act of hospitality closed the social relations +of Abdel Kader with the civilised world. During his passage through +it, his worth, his genius, his honour, had been magnanimously +recognised in one long ovation. He was now in a capital where +barbarism is harlequinised into a constrained semblance of European +civilisation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span>He visited the +Turkish ministers. They received him with ill-feigned +demonstrations of civility and respect. Policy alone made them +outwardly courteous. Such is the eradicable arrogance and +self-sufficiency of the Turks, that they despise all races alike +but their own. Utter strangers to noble sentiments, and scorning to +admit the possibility of there being anything in the world more +important than themselves, they regarded the attentions paid to +Abdel Kader (despite his glorious struggles for their common faith) +with jealousy and even derision. His fame oppressed them. An Arab +hero was, in their minds, an incongruity, an impertinence.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span><a id= +"c23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1853-1860.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">Abdel Kader</span> at length +sailed from Constantinople for Broussa. The Pasha in that town had +been ordered by the Turkish Government to place a carriage at his +disposal, on landing. “What!” said the Turk, “an Arab ride in a +carriage! Who ever heard of such a thing? Surely there are plenty +of camels to be had. Why does not the man hire a camel? Is not a +camel good enough for him?” The Turk was spared the indignity of +supplying the Arab with a carriage, on account of the simple fact, +that it was impossible to traverse the road from the landing-place +to Broussa in any vehicle whatever; and of this fact, the Sublime +Porte, at a distance of scarcely twenty miles, was profoundly +ignorant.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for Abdel Kader, though thrown amongst the Turks, he +was in no way obliged to be dependent on them. The munificence of +Louis Napoleon had largely provided for his wants. The Emperor had +settled on him a pension for life of £4,000 a year. With Abdel +Kader’s habits, this income was more than a competence, it was +superfluity. With such wealth he might have lived in princely +state, and indulged in ostentation. But he was regulated by other +principles.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span>At all times +averse to self-gratification, Abdel Kader looked upon this liberal +allowance as a trust; and he considered that after deducting what +was absolutely necessary for his own expenses, he was bound to +expend the remainder for the benefit of others. His income now +enabled him to provide for the wants of many who had nobly refused +to separate themselves from his fortunes, and even to extend his +generosity to other quarters. Reserving barely a half for himself +and family, he disbursed the residue in salaries to his most needy +chiefs and dependents; in charities to the poor, presents to the +mosques, and other benevolent purposes. It is to be remarked that +out of his income he had also to support his two brothers and their +families.</p> + +<p>So averse, indeed, was Abdel Kader to vain and trifling +expenditure of every sort, that the outlay generally devoted by his +co-religionists to rejoicings and festivities, at one of their most +important religious rites, was by him directed to charitable ends. +On the occasion of the circumcision of one of his sons, the people +of Broussa were surprised to see, in place of the usual costly +procession, with all its concomitants of pomp and show—the +cavalcade, the flags and the music—a vast assemblage of the poor +congregated in front of his dwelling, and receiving from his own +hands presents of bread, and clothing, and money. Such was, in the +eyes of Abdel Kader, the best commemoration of the sacred rite.</p> + +<p>The building which the Turkish Government had allotted for his +residence was an old dilapidated khan, in many parts without a +roof. With some difficulty he contrived to make it habitable. The +wildness and gloom of the old ruin were terrible. But he bought a +small farm in the neighbourhood,<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_303">[303]</span> to which he escaped at times to regale +himself with a sight of the sun and to breathe the fresh air.</p> + +<p>His days were passed, as usual, in the education of his +children, in readings at the mosque, and in private study and +meditation. Still he felt himself in a land of strangers. Few +understood his language. Between the Turks and himself there was no +possible sympathy, and there never could be. The Ulemas amongst +them envied and disliked him for his superior learning. The +Effendis, in their supercilious pride, scarcely vouchsafed to +notice him. The public functionaries, gradually recovering from +their dread of his widely-spread influence, smiled with inward +repose and satisfaction, not unmingled with contempt, as they +congratulated each other on the discovery that the great Arab hero +was after all only a “derweesh.”</p> + +<p>Thus time wore on with him for nearly three years. He secretly +longed for a change in his place of exile; but he was diffident in +asking for it. At last, the appalling earthquake which, in 1855, +nearly laid all Broussa in ruins, afforded him a plea for opening +the subject, and he hastened to avail himself of the circumstance. +He obtained permission to go to France. He once more saw the +Emperor, who graciously acceded to all his wishes. It was arranged +that for the future his residence should be at Damascus.</p> + +<p>Whilst Abdel Kader was in Paris, the news of the fall of +Sebastopol arrived. He was asked to assist at the celebration of +the <em>Te Deum</em> in Notre Dame; and he was told that the +Emperor would be flattered by his presence on the occasion.</p> + +<p>Though prostrated by a recent severe illness, he consented to +go. No small sensation was created amongst the vast<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> throng which filled the +cathedral, as Abdel Kader advanced up to the altar, leaning on the +arm of a French marshal, and accompanied by other officers of rank. +On leaving it he was loudly cheered.</p> + +<p>The principal aide-de-camp of the Minister of War conducted him +over the International Exhibition, which on the year of this visit +made Paris the rendezvous of all the civilised world. After viewing +all the varied productions which it contained, he paused for a long +time in perfect astonishment at the marvellous elaborations of +machinery which expanded in various compartments before his eyes. +Then he suddenly exclaimed, “Surely this is the temple of reason +and intelligence, animated by the breath of God.”</p> + +<p>After returning to Broussa, where he remained for a few weeks to +arrange and settle his affairs, he finally embarked on board a +French steamer, with his family and suite, amounting in all to more +than one hundred persons, and reached Beyrout, November 24th, 1856; +and from thence, after a short stay, he proceeded to Damascus.</p> + +<p>Midway on his ascent of the Lebanon he was surprised to hear the +sound of firing, as though a battle were raging close by. Presently +he saw the heights and slopes covered with large bodies of men, +keeping up a well-sustained roll of musketry; and then, a compact +and splendidly attired cavalcade advancing to his encounter. The +Druzes had assembled to give him a welcome.</p> + +<p>Their chiefs, on approaching him, dismounted. He returned the +compliment. They bowed before him with oriental prostrations, and +kissed his hand. Then they begged him to do them the honour of +reposing amongst them, if only for one<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_305">[305]</span> night. He accepted their invitation, and +found once more a hospitable Eastern home. His heart expanded. He +was once more amongst the Arabs.</p> + +<p>Long and closely did these mountain warriors question him as to +his campaigns against the French. “If your fame,” they said, “has +so long raised our spirits and excited our admiration; if it has so +long rejoiced our hearts to hear of you, how much more must we +rejoice to see you!” On his leaving the Lebanon he was escorted by +the Druzes to the frontiers of their territory. After thanking them +for their courtesy and attention, Abdel Kader parted from them with +the words, “God grant we may ever remain one!” and the Druzes +replied, “God grant it! May we soon meet again.”</p> + +<p>Another ovation, and on a larger scale, awaited Abdel Kader at +Damascus. The whole Mohammedan population—men, women, and +children—turned out to receive him. For more than a mile outside +the gates the road was lined on either side with all ranks and +degrees of persons dressed in holiday attire, who had come forth to +feast their eyes by gazing on the renowned champion and hero of +Islam. Preceded by a detachment of Turkish troops and a band of +military music, Abdel Kader passed, almost like a conqueror, +through the crowd, joyfully returning the unintermittent salaams +with which he was greeted. No such Arab had entered Damascus since +the days of Saladin.</p> + +<p>The Sultan had ordered a serail to be placed at the disposal of +Abdel Kader. Luckily for him, the khans were all already fully +occupied. He only took up his residence in the abode prepared for +him temporarily, and until he could select and purchase a house for +himself. The Turkish authorities<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_306">[306]</span> paid no further attention to him. It was +quite enough for them that they had to endure him. They could not +lower his rank and position, for an arm was outstretched over him +stronger than theirs; they could not undermine his influence, for +his was an ascendancy that defied their malice; they looked upon +him as a painful and unavoidable anomaly, and succumbed.</p> + +<p>Visits and salutations of various kinds soon multiplied upon +him. Ben Salem, his old and devoted Khalifa, and some hundreds of +Algerines, who had already obtained permission to settle at +Damascus, and who proudly swelled his suite as he entered the city, +now thronged around him day and night, never sufficiently satisfied +with the sight of their adored Sultan, from whom they had been so +long separated. The great Arab Effendis offered him the most ardent +demonstrations of respect.</p> + +<p>But it was to the Ulemas and the lettered classes that Abdel +Kader became the great centre of attraction. By virtue of his +triple warrant, as descendant of the Prophet, Ulema, and leader of +the Djehad, he was entitled to their profoundest reverence. They +felt themselves bound to him not only by feelings of national +sympathy, but of religious duty. Their experience of his superior +learning, quickly obtained, made them anxious to profit by his +instructions. They begged him to become their teacher. A +theological class, consisting of upwards of sixty students, was +formed. It held its daily sittings in the great mosque, and Abdel +Kader presided over it with scrupulous punctuality. The Koran and +the Hadeeth naturally formed the great staple of discussion; but +unlike the ordinary teachers, whose utmost stretch of mental +power<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span> only extended +to worn-out remarks and commentaries on the sacred books, Abdel +Kader astonished and delighted his disciples by choice quotations +from the works of Plato and Aristotle, and occasionally even from +authors of less repute, selected from his own library, which he had +been carefully re-forming during his residence at Broussa.</p> + +<p>The light which thus shed its rays over the literary world of +the Mohammedans of Damascus, was of course accompanied by its +attendant shadow of envy and detraction, fostered by offended +vanities and obscured reputations. Such, on the whole, was the +social position of Abdel Kader in Damascus, when events +unexpectedly occurred to disturb for a moment the tranquil tenor of +his life.</p> + +<p>The Peace of Paris, concluded in 1856, filled the Turks with +mingled sensations of exultation and mistrust: of exultation, +because the peace had rescued them from an impending doom, and +renewed their lease of political existence; of mistrust, because +the deed of deliverance was saddled with a decree of death. Such a +doom, it is true, depended on the realization of a theory; but that +theory was, to them, of ominous importance. By eliciting from them +the Hati Homayoom of 1856, the Christian Powers simply made the +Turks put the knife to their own throats.</p> + +<p>If that famous “Magna Charta for the Christians of the East,” as +it has been ridiculously styled by those who know nothing at all +about the politics of the East, was to be strictly carried into +execution, the relative position of Turks and Christians, as a +body, throughout the Turkish empire, would in due course of time be +completely reversed. The Turks have as yet escaped the stern +necessity of giving themselves<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_308">[308]</span> the fatal gash; and their kind and +forbearing allies have for the moment refrained from pressing the +completion of the sacrifice. Nevertheless, it behoves the Christian +Powers, seriously and conscientiously, to reflect that, on the +execution or non-execution of the Hati Homayoom, depends the +gradual enfranchisement, or the continued bondage and degradation +of Christianity, under Turkish rule.</p> + +<p>When the Christian Powers signed a document giving the Turks an +indefinite tenure of political existence, they virtually ratified +the bond by which the latter have consigned some of the fairest +provinces of the earth to irremediable depopulation, barrenness, +and sterility. When they contented themselves with receiving in +exchange an impossible programme of amalgamation, progress, and +refinement, they not only stultified themselves, but betrayed the +vital interests of humanity and civilisation.</p> + +<p>If England, passively consenting to be bound down by traditions +which took their rise in an age when the East, with all its +glorious destinies, was universally ignored, chooses still to +regard the maintenance of the Turkish empire as indispensable to +the balance of power in Europe—as though, in the event of its +abruption or collapse, national adjustments would become +impossibilities, political arrangements fictions, and diplomatic +treaties myths—if, with suicidal arm, she still persists in helping +to lock up those rich, fertile, and widely extended regions, which, +if that empire were to pass under Christian sway, would rapidly be +opened up to her commercial enterprise, and would increase the +demands upon her arts and manufactures ten, fifty, and a hundred +fold; then let her, by all means, go on worshipping her “log +of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> wood,” and +lavish in its support her money, her arms, and her men, thereby +wasting and crippling her actual and prospective resources.</p> + +<p>But if, awakened at length to a due sense of her dignity and of +her best interests, to say nothing of her responsibilities to a +Higher Power, England should resolve to abandon the fruitless and +thankless task of attempting to mould, tutor, and reform a +government which by its very nature must ever be a stumbling-block +and an offence in the path of Eastern advancement—which is the +fanatical and persecuting enemy of her faith, which laughs at her +credulity, practises on her forbearance, and is a permanent +obstruction to the full development of her wealth and +greatness—then her policy will lie in a nut-shell. Let her leave +the Turks to fight their own battles. Howsoever, wheresoever, and +by whomsoever attacked, let her stand by an undisturbed spectator. +Let her quietly see the game commenced. She will always be in time +to cut in and play her own cards.</p> + +<p>The Christians of Syria have ever been viewed by the Turks with +gloomy jealousy. They are called “the Key to the Franks.” The Turks +imagine them to be ever ready to welcome and aid a Frank invading +force; furnishing it with supplies, and in various ways initiating +it into the land’s capabilities and resources. Their increasing +population, wealth, and prosperity, are to the Turks a perpetual +source of exasperation, exciting in their breasts feelings of +hatred and broodings of revenge.</p> + +<p>These Christians had deluded themselves into the idea that the +Hati Homayoom was to become a reality. They gloried in the +prospects of civil, military, and political equality +with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span> their +Mohammedan fellow-subjects which it held out to them. They craved +to be permitted to enter the service of the State, and offered to +serve in the army. They were told their services were not wanted. +At the same time the information was vouchsafed to them that they +were to be subjected to a yearly fine of ten shillings per head, in +lieu of military service.</p> + +<p>“What!”—they argued amongst themselves—“is this all that our +friends and protectors, the great Christian Powers, have been able +to procure from the Turks by the promulgation of the Hati Homayoom? +Could they do no more than achieve mockery and derision for +themselves, and for us an additional mark of inferiority and +humiliation?” They could not believe it. The mistake, they were +sure, would be rectified. They protested, and refused to pay the +tax.</p> + +<p>The Christians of the Lebanon soon after observed, with just +alarm, the menacing attitude displayed towards them by the Druzes. +They knew at once that the Turks were going to play their old game +of letting loose these tribes against them. What had they to do? +They armed themselves to the teeth; and they were right. The +Turco-Druze compact was already completed. Such was the aspect of +affairs between the Turks and the Rayahs in Syria in 1859.</p> + +<p>The Turkish authorities in that province had duly reported the +refractory conduct of the Christians, and the general tone of +assumption evinced by them, to their superiors in Constantinople. +In the instructions they received, they were emphatically told that +the Christians must be “corrected.” The expression seems trivial, +but those to whom it was addressed perfectly well understood its +cabalistic meaning.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span>As a Turkish +sultan was once entering his kiosk, a handsome, comely-looking +youth, the son of one of his viziers, attracted his notice. He +approached him, patted him on the cheek, and stroked his chin. The +lad, well knowing the feelings which prompted such a mark of +attention, turned away from the caress with offensive abruptness. +The Sultan looked towards the father, and sternly said, “Your son +must be corrected.” That same day the lad’s head was cut off. He +had been “corrected.” In Eastern phraseology this is called +“imperial correction.”</p> + +<p>In May, 1860, the civil war between the Druzes and Christians, +so sedulously fostered and excited by the Turks, broke out. In +little more than a month the Lebanon became a vast scene of +slaughter and conflagration. In an evil hour the Christians, +despite their better convictions, had allowed themselves to be +deceived by the solemn protestations of Turkish pashas and +colonels, who called upon God to witness that they were about to +act as mediators.</p> + +<p>They repaired by hundreds to the different Turkish garrisons +planted over the mountain, hourly expecting the signal for peace. +There, after having been politely requested to give up their arms, +as a mark of confidence, they were crammed into open courts, or +penned up in small chambers, according to the nature of the +locality, and assured they were in perfect safety. And then, after +a time, the Druzes and the Turkish troops fell on them, and +massacred them all. They had been “corrected.”</p> + +<p>The Christians of Damascus were the next to be “corrected.” +Abdel Kader, entirely ignorant of the great Turco-Druze plot, had +sent messages to some of his friends among<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_312">[312]</span> the Druze Sheiks, at the commencement of +the civil war in the Lebanon, calling upon them to exercise +forbearance and moderation. He soon had occasion to turn his +attention to events nearer home. Rumours were daily becoming more +and more rife that the Mohammedans of the Pashalick of Damascus +intended to rise on the Christians.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was at first incredulous. But his Algerines came +round him day by day, repeating to him the fearful gossip of the +town. Many of them, who had been tampered with, were asked to join +in the scheme. He now went to the Ulemas, and begged them to use +their influence with the people to allay the feeling, and avert +such a frightful catastrophe. He wrote urgent letters in the same +sense to the Ulemas of Homs and Hamah.</p> + +<p>Having received information that some straggling parties of the +Druzes were extending their ravages towards Damascus, he hastened +to send the following collective letter to all their leading +Sheiks:—</p> + +<p class="center space-above15">“<span class="sc">To the Druze +Sheiks in Mount Lebanon, and in the Plains and Mountains of the +Houran</span>.</p> + +<p>“We continually invoke for you eternal happiness, and +continuation of prosperity.</p> + +<p>“You are aware of our friendship for you, and our goodwill +towards all the servants of God. Hearken to what we say to you, and +accept and be advised by our admonition. The Turkish Government, +and all men, know your old enmity towards the Christians of Mount +Lebanon, and you may imagine that the Government will not hold you +wholly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span> responsible +for the war which is now raging between you and them. The +Government may accept your excuses.</p> + +<p>“But if you make offensive movements against a place with the +inhabitants of which you have never before been at enmity, we fear +such conduct would be the cause of a serious rupture between you +and the Government. You know how anxious we are for your welfare +and happiness, and that of all your countrymen at large. The wise, +before taking a step, calculate the consequences.</p> + +<p>“Some of your horsemen have already been pillaging in the +environs of Damascus. Such proceedings are unworthy of a community +distinguished for its good sense and wise policy. We repeat it, we +are most anxious for your welfare, and are hurt at whatever +reflects on your name.</p> + +<p class="right pad-right2">“<span class="sc">Abdel Kader ibn +Mehi-ed-deen</span>.</p> + +<p>“<em>May</em>, 1860.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">Abdel Kader next proceeded to Achmet +Pasha, the Governor, and stated his apprehensions. The Pasha told +him that there was no occasion to be alarmed, and that all reports +were mere idle rumours. A second and third time he went to the +Governor and renewed his representations, but with little or no +effect. At last the Pasha allowed a few arms to be distributed +amongst Abdel Kader’s followers, but without instructions under +what circumstances they were to be used.</p> + +<p>On the 9th of July, in the forenoon, Abdel Kader’s Algerines +came running in, in breathless haste, and told him the town had +risen. Without a moment’s delay he sallied forth, ordering his +attendants to follow him. After a few turnings he met a furious mob +in full career towards the Christian<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_314">[314]</span> quarter. He drew up with his men in the +centre of the street. The mob stopped short. A pause ensued. Abdel +Kader harangued the rioters, expostulated with them, and +endeavoured to convince them of the awfulness of the crime which +they were about to commit. He implored them to desist and +return.</p> + +<p>“What!” they shouted, “you, the great slayer of Christians, are +you come out to prevent us from slaying them in our turn? +Away!”</p> + +<p>“If I slew Christians,” he shouted in reply, “it was in +accordance with our law—Christians who had declared war against me, +and were arrayed in arms against our faith.”</p> + +<p>“Away, away!” retorted the mobs, and the rioters rushed by. +Within three hours the Christian quarter was a waving sheet of +fire. The hot blast, fraught with the moans of the tortured and the +shrieks of the defiled, rolled over the city like a gust from +hell.</p> + +<p>The Pasha had some days before made a pretence of affording +protection to the Christians by stationing Turkish troops in their +quarter. He now sent his soldiers orders to withdraw. They piled +arms and plundered. But Abdel Kader hurried to the rescue. +Altogether about 1,000 of his Algerines had by this time gathered +round him. He patrolled the flaming streets. His men went from +house to house, entering and crying out, “Christians, come forth! +Do not fear us—we are Abdel Kader’s men, and are here to save you! +Come forth, come forth!”</p> + +<p>At first, no voices responded. The unfortunate victims dreaded +fresh treachery. By degrees, however, after repeated and earnest +assurances, they gained confidence. Men, women,<span class= +"pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span> and children issued forth +trembling and crawling from their hiding-places. They emerged from +wells, from sinks, from gutters. As fast as they could be collected +together, they were hurried off to Abdel Kader’s abode, enclosed in +long oblong squares, formed by the Algerines to protect them on the +way from insult and attack.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader, who had more than once narrowly escaped +suffocation, now returned to his house. He found it filled to +overflowing. He induced his immediate neighbours to vacate their +abodes in order to give shelter to the unhappy fugitives. But the +tide kept pouring in, and still more space was wanted. As a last +resource, he proposed to the Christians to send them for protection +to the Turkish castle. But at this proposition a wild cry arose +from all. The poor creatures fell on their knees, and with frantic +gestures and agonising accents exclaimed, “O Abdel Kader, for God’s +sake do not send us to the Turks! By your mother! by your wife! by +your children! O Abdel Kader, save us from the Turks!”</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader endeavoured to reassure the supplicants and allay +their fears. He pledged himself for their safety, and offered to +accompany them to the citadel himself. Not a hair of their heads +should be touched, he said, while he was alive. With sad misgivings +and sinking hearts, the Christians at length consented to go. Abdel +Kader headed the sad procession in person. His Algerines marched on +its flanks and in its rear. It moved on rapidly. An unwonted gloom +pervaded the great city. The bazaars were all deserted, and +reverberated to the escort’s tramp in sad funereal echoes. The +castle, which lay nearly a mile off, was reached a little before +sunset, and Abdel Kader gave over his charge. The Turks looked at +him askance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span>For several days +his Algerines were constantly engaged in escorting fugitive +Christians, in batches of twenty, fifty, and a hundred, to the same +destination. As they were being hurried along, all exclaimed alike, +“Do not leave us to the mercy of the Turks! Come back to us! Stay +with us! The Turks will yet murder us!” Nor indeed were their fears +unfounded.</p> + +<p>On the third day, when the large quadrangle within the castle +was crowded with the Christians, to the amount of some thousands, +of all ranks, ages, and sexes, the Turks coolly divided the males +from the females into two large bodies. The one was intended for +massacre; the other was reserved for violation. They only awaited +the arrival of the Druzes, whom they were hourly and anxiously +expecting, to co-operate with them in the fiendish work.</p> + +<p>But here, also, Abdel Kader had marred and circumvented their +diabolical designs. He had heard of the approach of the Druzes. He +had ridden out to meet them. He had fallen in with them at the +village of Ashrafeeiy, in the outskirts of the city. There he had +parleyed with their Sheiks, had reasoned with them, and by his +personal influence, and his eloquent and persuasive arguments, had +succeeded in turning them aside from their bloody errand.</p> + +<p>For ten days he continued engaged in his arduous task. Once the +mob approached his house, and demanded with frantic yells that the +Christians within it should be delivered up to them. He drew his +sword, and, accompanied by a strong body of his followers, at once +went out to confront the yelling crowd. “Wretches!” he exclaimed, +“is this the way you honour the Prophet? May his curse be upon +you!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span> Shame on you, +shame! You will yet live to repent. You think you may do as you +like with the Christians; but the day of retribution will come. The +Franks will yet turn your mosques into churches. Not a Christian +will I give up. They are my brothers. Stand back, or I give my men +the order to fire.” The mob withdrew.</p> + +<p>When he returned to his post it was to keep anxious watch by +day, and sleepless vigil by night. He had a rug spread at his +entrance door, and on this hard bed he snatched intervals of +troubled rest. He never once retired. He felt that his personal +presence was absolutely indispensable for the safety of all. The +stream of fugitives was incessant. Every moment Abdel Kader was +called up to give orders to form escorts, or to issue provisions to +the thousands congregated under his roof.</p> + +<p>The European Consuls, leaving their burning consulates behind +them, had fled to him with their families on the first day. The +British Consul alone, living in the Mohammedan quarter, had thought +himself secure. But, as an additional security, he had sent to the +Pasha, and requested that Turkish troops might be stationed at his +house. A detachment of soldiers was accordingly dispatched for his +protection.</p> + +<p>Shortly after their arrival one of his cawasses came and told +him to beware. He had overheard the conversation of the Turkish +soldiers. They were talking of breaking into the consulate, and +murdering every one within their reach. After a slight +deliberation, it was decided that Abdel Kader was the only resource +now left. To Abdel Kader, accordingly, a messenger was instantly +sent, craving immediate assistance. To the surprise and +astonishment of the Turkish soldiers,<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_318">[318]</span> seventeen Algerines suddenly appeared, and +seemed to supersede them in their functions. The Turks were +overawed. Their bloody plot was frustrated; and the safety of the +British Consul was secured. The interposition had been indeed both +timely and providential. In a few minutes more the Consul with his +staff and household would have been <em>massacred by their Turkish +guard!</em></p> + +<p>Though the great mass of the Christians had been forwarded to +the castle, the Consuls and many of the wealthier classes remained +partakers of Abdel Kader’s hospitality for more than a month. By +degrees, however, this assemblage broke up, moving off in +successive parties, always escorted by Algerines, to Beyrout.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader was at length enabled to repose. He had rescued +15,000 souls belonging to the Eastern churches from death, and +worse than death, by his fearless courage, his unwearied activity, +and his catholic-minded zeal. All the representatives of the +Christian powers then residing in Damascus, without one single +exception, had owed their lives to him. Strange and unparalleled +destiny! An Arab had thrown his guardian ægis over the outraged +majesty of Europe. A descendant of the Prophet had sheltered and +protected the Spouse of Christ.</p> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2><span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span><a id= +"c24"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<p class="sch">1860-1864.</p> + +<p class="nind"><span class="sc">The</span> Turkish authorities at +Damascus, acting under the orders of Fuad Pasha, marked their sense +of Abdel Kader’s humane intervention in behalf of the Christians, +by sending him an order that his Algerines should deliver up their +arms. Abdel Kader resented the order as an insult, and protested. +“Never,” was his reply to this injunction, “will I submit to such +an order, until Fuad Pasha has formally declared that I and my men +have made a bad use of our weapons. In that case I will leave him +to vindicate his conduct as best he can, with the European powers +who have applauded my course of action.”</p> + +<p>Being powerfully supported from an influential quarter, Abdel +Kader succeeded in averting the indignity which the Turks had +deliberately and maliciously meditated against him. The spirit +which had dictated Fuad Pasha, and the Turkish authorities in +general, then became apparent. A general disarmament of the +inhabitants of Damascus had been commenced, and about six hundred +muskets had already been collected, when the above-mentioned order +was sent to Abdel Kader. When they failed to obtain the arms of +Abdel Kader and his suite, the Turks at once discontinued the +general disarmament. The measure had evidently only +been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span> a pretext for +the infliction of a humiliation on the defender of the +Christians.</p> + +<p>The Christian powers covered Abdel Kader with the most +distinguished marks of their gratitude and admiration. Letters, +presents, and orders came from every side. France sent the Grand +Cordon of the Legion of Honour; Russia, the Grand Cross of the +White Eagle; Prussia, the Grand Cross of the Black Eagle; Greece, +the Grand Cross of the Saviour; Turkey, the Medjidié of the 1st +class. England sent a double-barreled gun, beautifully inlaid with +gold; America, a brace of pistols similarly inlaid. The Order of +Freemasons in France sent him a magnificent star. All these gifts +and decorations were accompanied by letters of thanks.</p> + +<p>But not only in the Christian world had the conduct of Abdel +Kader, in the midst of the hideous scenes enacted through the fell +working of Turkish fanaticism, created a deep sensation and +elicited tributes of praise and general rejoicing. In the +Mohammedan world also, a profound feeling of astonishment and +abhorrence had been excited at the vindictive daring, the blind +fatuity, and the sanguinary anti-Christian malevolence of a +Mohammedan power which, while pretending to be amenable to the +higher instincts of European civilisation, could thus stimulate to +deeds of atrocity, gratuitously barbarous, and not even sanctioned +or countenanced by the most ferocious and exaggerated doctrines of +the Koran itself.</p> + +<p>This feeling found its most eloquent exponent in the illustrious +hero of the Caucasus. Schamyl, from his place of exile in Russia, +addressed the following letter to Abdel Kader:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span>“To him who has +made himself celebrated amongst all classes, high and low; who by +his numerous and precious qualities stands distinguished from the +rest of men; who put out the fire of discord before it had time to +extend; who rooted up the tree of enmity, the fruit of which is, as +it were, a head of Satan. Praise be to God, that He has clothed His +servant with strength and faith! We would speak of the true and +sincere friend, Abdel Kader the just. Salutation to you! May the +palm tree of merit and honour be ever fruitful in your person!</p> + +<p>“Be it known to you, when my ear was struck with that which is +hateful to the sense of hearing, and repulsive to human nature—I +allude to the events lately occurring in Damascus, between the +Mussulmans and the Christians, in which the former displayed a +conduct unworthy of the professors of Islamism, and which can only +lead to every kind of excess—a film spread over my soul, and my +face, usually tranquil and serene, became covered with the shade of +sadness. I cried out to myself, ‘Evil is on the earth and on the +sea, by reason of man’s wickedness and perversity.’</p> + +<p>“I was astonished at the blindness of the functionaries who have +plunged into such excesses, forgetful of the words of the Prophet, +peace be upon him:—‘<em>Whoever shall be unjust towards a tributary +(a Christian), who shall do him a wrong, who shall lay on him any +charge beyond his means, and finally, who shall deprive him of +anything without his own consent, it is I who will be his accuser +in the day of judgment</em>.’ Oh, the sublime words! But when I was +informed that you had covered the tributaries with the wings of +kindness and compassion; that you had opposed yourself to the men +who do<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span> contrary to +the will of the Most High God, and that you had conquered the palm +of victory in the amphitheatre of glory—a success which you have +richly merited—I praised you, as the Most High God will praise you +in that day, when fortune and children will avail but little. +Truly, you have realised the word of the great Apostle whom the +Most High God sent as a mark of pity for his creatures, and you +have opposed a barrier to those who rejected his great example. May +God preserve us from those who transgress His laws!</p> + +<p>“Impatient to testify the admiration I feel for your conduct, I +hasten to address you this letter, as a drop out of the reservoir +of my sympathies.</p> + +<p>“The unfortunate, who through the working of the decrees of the +Great Master, has fallen into the hands of the infidels.</p> + +<p class="right pad-right2">“<span class="sc">Schamyl</span>, the +Exile.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">To this sympathetic effusion Abdel Kader +thus replied:—</p> + +<p class="space-above15">“Praise be to God, the Master of worlds! +May God be propitious to our lord Mohammed and all his brother +prophets and apostles.</p> + +<p>“This comes from him who has great need of his all-abundant +mercies, Abdel Kader, son of Mehi-ed-deen, il Hassany, and is +addressed to his brother and friend in God, the glorious Schamyl. +May God be favourable to us and you, at home and abroad! May the +peace and grace of God rest ever upon you!</p> + +<p>“We have received your honourable letter, and your charming +words have rejoiced our heart. That which you<span class="pagenum" +id="Page_323">[323]</span> have heard about us, and which has given +you such satisfaction, respecting our defence of the tributaries +and the protection we gave them, both as regards their persons and +their goods, according to our zeal and our means—all that, as you +well know, is nothing but the fulfilment of the principles of our +sacred law and of the dictates of humanity. Indeed, our law is the +confirmation of all the best qualities, and embraces all virtues as +a collar encircles the neck.</p> + +<p>“Vice is condemned in all religions; and to allow oneself to be +carried away by it is like taking a poisonous aliment into the +stomach. Nevertheless, as the poet has said, ‘Man, in certain +moments of trial, has a bandage over his eyes, so that he calls +that desirable which is just the reverse.’ Truly it is a case to +say, ‘To God we belong and to Him we return.’ When we think how few +men of real religion there are, how small the number of defenders +and champions of the truth—when one sees ignorant persons imagining +that the principle of Islamism is hardness, severity, extravagance, +and barbarity—it is time to repeat these words, ‘Patience is +lovely; in God let us trust.’</p> + +<p>“We were informed, some time ago, that you had arrived near the +Emperor of Russia; and that this prince, treating you in a manner +worthy of you, had loaded you with civilities and covered you with +honour. We were told, moreover, that you had asked for permission +to visit the holy cities (Mecca and Medina); and we pray God that +he may prosper your demand and accomplish your wishes.</p> + +<p>“Indeed, the Emperor of Russia is one of the most distinguished +of sovereigns. He is one of those who desire to see the record of +their exalted deeds preserved in books. We<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_324">[324]</span> hope, therefore, that his magnanimity will +grant you your wishes without difficulty. It is thus that the +Sultan Napoleon III. has acted towards us. He has performed things +for us which could never have entered into the mind of man. After +all, it is in God alone that we must place our hope. He only has a +right to our homage.</p> + +<p class="right pad-right2">“<span class="sc">Abdel Kader ibn +Mehi-ed-deen il Hassany</span>.”</p> + +<p class="space-above15">The tranquil current of Abdel Kader’s +life, momentarily ruffled, but scarcely interrupted, by the +terrific episode which had broken in on his retirement, now resumed +its wonted course. The simplicity, the scrupulous regularity, the +exact and unvarying conscientiousness which guide and influence his +actions, operate upon the thread of his existence with all the +harmony of fixed laws.</p> + +<p>He rises two hours before daybreak, and is engaged in prayer and +religious meditation till sunrise, when he goes to the mosque. +After spending half an hour there in public devotions, he returns +to his house, snatches a hurried meal, and then studies in his +library till mid-day. The muezzin’s call now summons him again to +the mosque, where his class is already assembled, awaiting his +arrival. He takes his seat, opens the book fixed upon for +discussion, and reads aloud, constantly interrupted by demands for +those explanations which unlock the varied and accumulated stores +of his troubled years of laborious study, investigation, and +research. The sitting lasts for three hours.</p> + +<p>Afternoon prayer finished, Abdel Kader returns home and spends +an hour amongst his children—his eight sons—examining the progress +they are making in their studies. Then<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_325">[325]</span> he dines. At sunset he is again in the +mosque, and instructs his class for one hour and a half. His +professor’s duties for the day are now over. A couple of hours are +still on hand; they are spent in his library. He then retires to +rest.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader is punctual in his charities. Every Friday the +street leading to his house may be seen filled with the poor, who +are gathered together for their appointed distribution of bread. +The poor who die (if utterly without means), not merely in his own +quarter, but throughout Damascus, are buried at his expense. Every +case of destitution has only to be brought to his notice to be +instantly relieved. He lays out regularly more than £20 a month in +charitable donations.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had long cherished in his heart the hope and desire +of being able, sooner or later, to complete his round of religious +duties by a crowning act of devotion. In the eyes of the devout +Mussulman, no earthly rank or dignity is to be compared to that +which carries with it the glorious distinction of entitling its +bearer to be called “the Fellow of the Prophet.”</p> + +<p>To obtain this signal privilege, it is necessary to dwell +continuously at Mecca or Medina for two years, or, at all events, +to remain in the holy cities until two successive pilgrimages +(Hadj) have arrived at and departed from those places. Abdel Kader +now obtained the permission of his friend and benefactor, the +Emperor Napoleon III., to prosecute his pious purpose. Being asked +one day how he could bear to separate himself, at his age, for so +long a time from his family, he replied, “It is true my family is +dear to me, but God is dearer.”</p> + +<p>He left Damascus in January, 1863; and, after staying +a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span> few weeks in +Cairo, embarked for Djedda, and in due time reached Mecca. There he +was received by the great body of Ulemas and Imams, who make that +holy city their constant place of residence, with the most marked +respect and consideration. The Shereef of Mecca ordered a couple of +rooms, within the precincts of the Haram, to be placed at his +disposal. He was overwhelmed by visitors. After ten days, he +intimated that his period of reception was over. He begged to be +left in undisturbed privacy and seclusion.</p> + +<p>For the next twelve months he never quitted his hermit’s cell, +except to go to the great mosque. His whole time was given up to +sacred studies, meditation, and prayer. The fervour of his +religious abstraction was stimulated by the most rigorous +self-denial. He only allowed himself four hours’ sleep. He broke +his fast but once in twenty-four hours, and then only to eat bread +and olives. The severity and long continuance of this bodily and +mental discipline told even on his iron frame. In the spring of +1864 he indulged in a short relaxation by going to Taif, a town +delightfully situated in a mountainous region about fourteen hours +from Mecca, and surrounded with flowing streams and delicious +gardens.</p> + +<p>Returning thence to Djedda he took ship, and in five days +reached the port of Reis, six days’ distance by land from Medina. +The whole of the intervening districts between Mecca and Medina, +spreading far into the interior, and down to the sea-coasts, are +infested by a race of Arabs called the Arabs Hurb. These +demi-savages are hideous to behold. They wear little or no +clothing. Their skins resemble burnt and crackling parchment. Their +thick, shaggy, black hair floats wildly<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_327">[327]</span> over their shoulders. They have few horses; +but they themselves run like ostriches.</p> + +<p>These Arab tribes are at perpetual war with the Turks. No +caravan dares to cross these dangerous tracts without being +strongly guarded. This duty devolves on Turkish troops, who run the +gauntlet with hearts failing them for fear. They are generally +attacked, mostly defeated, sometimes destroyed, the caravan +reaching its destination naked and penniless.</p> + +<p>Amongst the Arabs Hurb the name of Abdel Kader had for years +been a household word. On hearing of his arrival at Reis, their +Sheiks sent him a deputation requesting permission for them to be +allowed to come and offer him their salutations. He replied, that +as they were at open enmity with the Turkish Government, and as +some Turkish officials were accompanying him on his proposed +journey inward, he begged to be spared the distinction they would +have offered him. They acknowledged the delicacy of the dilemma, +and did not persist. For once, and solely for the sake of Abdel +Kader, they allowed the caravan from Reis to reach Medina without +the slightest molestation. The return caravan was attacked and +plundered, and the Turkish guard cut to pieces.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader remained at Medina for four months, resuming, near +the Prophet’s tomb, the course of life he had practised while at +Mecca. The guardian of the sanctuary repeatedly invited him to +examine all the precious treasures it contained—the votive +offerings of diamonds and pearls and precious stones, and gold and +silver, sent by kings, princes, potentates, and grandees, from all +parts of the Mohammedan world. But Abdel Kader refused even to look +at the treasures. He<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_328">[328]</span> regarded them as a wasteful and useless +prodigality, and a sinful misapplication of wealth, which might +have been far better employed in works of general charity.</p> + +<p>When the time for his departure arrived, the Arabs Hurb again +pressed on him their services, and offered to escort him in perfect +safety through the overland route of fourteen days to Mecca. He +would have availed himself of their offer had not two Ulemas who +were his travelling companions dreaded the fatigues of the journey; +and not wishing to separate himself from his fellow-travellers, he +was again obliged to decline these flattering marks of personal +devotion and attachment. He returned to Reis, and reached Mecca by +the way he had come, in time to be present at the rites and +solemnities of the Beiram, for the second time. His object and his +vow were thus accomplished. He now turned his face homewards, and +in June, 1864, arrived at Alexandria.</p> + +<p>Abdel Kader had just succeeded in achieving, after much toil and +self-abnegation, the highest distinction to be attained in a +religious profession pre-eminently dogmatic and exclusive. By a +singular contrast, he now claimed to wear the badge of a society +based and established on the principle of universal brotherhood. +The Masonic body in Alexandria hastened to welcome the illustrious +neophyte. The Lodge of the Pyramids was especially convoked for the +occasion in the evening of the 18th of June. Abdel Kader was +initiated into the mysteries; and to the privilege of being the +“Fellow of the Prophet,” added the more time-honoured privilege of +being “a free and accepted Mason.”</p> + +<p>After staying a short time at Alexandria, in order to complete +the requisite documents and arrange the necessary +details<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span> which were +to enable him to take possession of a large landed property, +presented to him by the Viceroy of Egypt, he left for Syria, and +reached Damascus towards the end of July, 1864. There, for the +present, we leave this “great and complete man,” pursuing that +career which he considers to have been marked out for him by +destiny. Of this career he himself has said, “It was pointed out to +me by my birth, my education, and my predilection. It is one which +I ardently long to resume, and to which I never cease praying to +God to allow me to return, now at the close of my laborious +years.”</p> + +<p>Though such, however, was the career which Abdel Kader had +imagined for himself, an over-ruling Providence had ordained it +otherwise. His career, as it stands before the public, is without a +counterpart in the annals of great and extraordinary men, for its +sudden and unexpected rise, for the strange variety of its phases, +and the unlooked-for stages of its development. Never was there a +career more completely typical of the riddle of human +existence—never one which more completely illustrated the truth of +the wise man’s saying—“A man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a +man then understand his way?”</p> + +<p>That career may now be recapitulated in a few brief sentences. A +young Mohammedan Arab had devoted himself to the seclusion and +religious exercises of the cloister. A crisis in his country’s fate +called him reluctantly from his retreat to the head of affairs. The +seeds of his latent genius burst forth at once into full-blown +maturity. He shone with unrivalled splendour as the preacher and +leader of a Holy War against the encroachments of a Christian +power. He kept the armies of this great power at bay for fifteen +years,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span> with forces +immeasurably inferior, and only made available by the fiery +enthusiasm with which he knew how to inspire them. Twice he +compelled his enemy to grant him advantageous terms of peace, and +to salute him with titles of sovereignty.</p> + +<p>All the while, he was moulding and forming an internal +administration, which, rapidly superseding the wildest anarchy and +confusion, presented a pattern of order, regularity, and justice. +He laid the foundation of a Mohammedan empire. In his own person he +offered to his subjects a model of bravery, fortitude, activity, +perseverance, piety, and zeal. He yielded at length to overwhelming +numbers. He surrendered to his Christian foes, on the express +condition that they should conduct him, in the full enjoyment of +complete and unrestricted freedom, to some other Moslem soil.</p> + +<p>His enemies treacherously conveyed him to their own land. Their +Government threw him into hopeless and apparently life-long +captivity. A prince whose genius, like his own, had sustained him +with unfailing trust and confidence through adverse fortunes, +overthrew that Government and arrived at supreme power. The +magnanimity of that prince restored him to liberty.</p> + +<p>Then, by a wonderful turn in the wheel of fortune, this +brilliant and uncompromising champion of Islamism was seen to take +a marked and foremost place in the Christian world. He became a +member of many of its literary and scientific bodies, corresponded +on terms of equality and friendship with its most illustrious +potentates; and finally, near the close of his ostensible career, +saw his breast covered with the martial emblems of that very faith +which, at its commencement, he<span class="pagenum" id= +"Page_331">[331]</span> had drawn his sword to resist and to defy! +Truly, such a career is without its parallel in history.</p> + +<p>Those who have perused the preceding pages will have found many +grounds for salutary reflection. In the example there laid before +them they will have been profitably reminded of the utter +short-sightedness and uncertainty of all human calculations. They +will, at the same time, have been instructed, edified, and +encouraged, by the striking proof which it affords that the only +really strengthening and peace-giving motives of human action are, +a practical and persevering sense of duty, and a humble, cheerful, +submissive, and unswerving trust in God.</p> + +<p class="center small space-above15">THE END.</p> + +<p class="space-above2"> +</p> + +<hr class="decor width20"> + +<p class="center small">VIRTUE AND CO., PRINTERS. CITY-ROAD, +LONDON.</p> + +<p class="space-above2"> +</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h2>FOOTNOTES:</h2> + +<div class="footnote"> +<p><a id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1"><span class= +"label">[1]</span></a> +</p> + +<div class="linegrp-container"> +<div class="linegrp"> +<div class="group"> +<div class="line indent0">“Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his +back,</div> + +<div class="line indent0"> Wherein he puts alms for +oblivion.”</div> + +<div class="line indent0 right"><span class="sc">Troilus and +Cressida</span>.</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> +<p><a id="Footnote_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2"><span class= +"label">[2]</span></a>Mohammed.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="space-above"> +</p> + +<div class="transnote"> +<h2>Transcriber's note:</h2> + +<ul> +<li>pg <a href="#Page_5">5</a> Changed: "at the the same time" to: +"at the same time"</li> + +<li>pg <a href="#Page_47">47</a> Changed: "but, a a Mussulman, I +looked" to: "as a Mussulman"</li> + +<li>pg <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, pg <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, pg +<a href="#Page_160">160</a>, pg <a href="#Page_167">167</a> +Changed: "Milond-ibn-Arasch" or "Milond ibn Arasch" to: +"Miloud"</li> + +<li>pg <a href="#Page_127">127</a> Changed: "‘with animation, ‘I +hope yet to restore" to: "‘with animation, I hope yet to +restore"</li> + +<li>pg <a href="#Page_134">134</a> Changed: "the last were Abon +Hamadi" to: "Abou"</li> + +<li>pg <a href="#Page_142">142</a> Changed: "Kader adjured them +them to rally" to: "Kader adjured them to rally"</li> + +<li>pg <a href="#Page_148">148</a> Changed: "plates of the national +dish—the <em>conscoussia</em>" to: "<em>couscoussia</em>"</li> + +<li>pg <a href="#Page_285">285</a> Changed: "abjured him to +vindidate" to: "vindicate"</li> +</ul> +</div> +</div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77174 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/77174-h/images/cover.jpg b/77174-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..24314f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/77174-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/77174-h/images/decor1.png b/77174-h/images/decor1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b34088 --- /dev/null +++ b/77174-h/images/decor1.png diff --git a/77174-h/images/decor2.png b/77174-h/images/decor2.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec83ee9 --- /dev/null +++ b/77174-h/images/decor2.png diff --git a/77174-h/images/fronti.jpg b/77174-h/images/fronti.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2afd7a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/77174-h/images/fronti.jpg |
