The gray crowd makes way for a group of musicians in brilliant caftans, and following them comes a long file of women with uncovered faces and bejewelled necks, balancing on their heads the dishes the guests have sent to the feastkouskous, sweet creams and syrups, "gazelles' horns" of sugar and almondsin delicately woven baskets, each covered with several squares of bright gauze edged with gold.

The next day would be spent in the same manner, except that probably the Chleuh boys with sidelong eyes and clean caftans would come instead of the singing-girls, and weave the arabesque of their dance in place of the runic pattern of the singing.

There were three of these negresses, splendid bronze creatures, wearing white djellabahs over bright-coloured caftans, striped scarves knotted about their large hips, and gauze turbans on their crinkled hair.

A dirty gandourah of striped muslin covered her faded caftan, and a cheap kerchief was wound above her grave and precocious little face.

But whether his livery were filthy sheepskin or gold-laced caftan,whether he lay on carpets at the door of his master, or in filth on the floor of his cabin,whether he gave us cold, stupid stories of his wrongs, or flippant details of his joys,whether he blessed his master or cursed him,we have wondered at the power which a serf-system has to degrade and imbrute the image of God.

Slowly the grey horse advanced a few yards before the tent; behind rode the court dignitaries, followed by the musicians, who looked, in their bright scant caftans, like the slender music-making angels of a Florentine fresco.

But whether his livery were filthy sheepskin or gold-laced caftan,whether he lay on carpets at the door of his master, or in filth on the floor of his cabin,whether he gave us cold, stupid stories of his wrongs, or flippant details of his joys,whether he blessed his master or cursed him,we have wondered at the power which a serf-system has to degrade and imbrute the image of God.

Beyond that, the motor paused before a green door, where a Cadi in a silken caftan received us.