[226] At that time, October, 1897, several Spanish, Greek, and Italian sailors were detained by the Riff tribes, having been captured when their vessels were becalmed near the shores of that province. European diplomacy having, as usual, failed, a Jew from Tangier with the aid of the French Consul in Tangier arranged for their liberation, and they arrived in Tangier on the same day that I arrived from the Atlas. The populace, chiefly Spaniards from Malaga, who had “had trouble” (knife thrusts given and received), welcomed us with acclamation, that is, they stared at us and shouted.
[227a] The Globe Venture Syndicate, I imagine.
[227b] Corrals, or enclosures.
[228] “Garcilasso de la Vega, Comentarios Reales del Peru,” Fifth Book, Part II., Chap. 21.
[234] A philosopher has remarked that liar, damned liar, and skilled witness stand in a progressive ratio, and for all I know, “specialists” may hold much the same position in the world of medicine.
[235a] Shisha is a kind of thin porridge not unlike the skilly of our Christian prisons.
[235b] “Painting a mark from the Spanish expression ‘pintar una marca.’ In the same way in Western Texas ‘Pinto,’ a piebald horse, became ‘paint,’ ‘cabresto,’ a halter, ‘cabress,’ and so on, in all conscience and tender heart.”
[236] Baraka literally means a blessing. It is also used in thanks, as Baraka Lowfik (“The blessing of God be on you”). And not infrequently as a sort of general term for goodness or generosity. Arabs rarely say “Baraka Lowfik” in thanking a Christian, but use the less religious phrase “Kettir heirac.” Neither do they (in Morocco) ever salute a Christian with Salam Aleikoum (“Peace be with you”), as peace is only for Believers.
[238] Andalusia is known to Spaniards as La tierra de Maria Santissima.
[240] The recent war having reminded the public that a country called Spain exists, I feel that I am not obliged to explain how little English money a peseta is worth at the present rate of exchange.