"Thou canst very greatly befriend me by making me thy agent in Aïn Haloo. I will work for thee, and bring thee of the produce of my land as others do, if I may only enjoy thy protection. May God have mercy on thee, O Merchant. I take refuge with thee."
"I can't be always appointing agents and protecting people for nothing. What can you give me?"
"Whatever is just, O Merchant, but the Lord knows that I am not rich, though He has bestowed sufficient on me to live, praise be to Him."
"Well, I should want two hundred dollars down, and something when the certificate is renewed next year, besides which you would of course report yourself each quarter, and not come empty-handed. Animals and corn I can do best with, but I don't want any of your poultry."
"God bless thee, Merchant, and make thee prosperous, but two hundred dollars is a heavy sum for me, and this last harvest has not been so plentiful as the one before, as thou knowest. Grant me this protection for one hundred and fifty dollars, and I can manage it, but do not make it an impossibility."
"I can't go any lower: there are scores of Moors who would give me that price. Do as you like. Good morning."
"Thou knowest, O Merchant, I could not give more than I have offered," replied Abd Allah as he rose and left the place.
But as no one else could be found in the town to protect him on better terms, he had at last to return, and in exchange for the sum demanded[page 251] received a paper inscribed on one side in Arabic, and on the other in English, as follows:—
"Vice-Consulate for Great Britain,
"Mazagan, Oct. 5, 1838."This is to certify that Abd Allah bin Boo Shaïb es-Sálih, resident at Aïn Haloo in the province of Rahámna, has been duly appointed agent of Edward Vecchio, a British subject, residing in Mazagan: all authorities will respect him according to existing treaties, not molesting him without proper notice to this Vice-Consulate.[†]
"Gratis
[Signed] "JOHN SMITH.
"H.B.M.'s Vice-Consul, Mazagan."
[*] "Merchant," used much as "Mr." is with us.