[49]The section of Beni Moumen or Moumeneen still exists in the Aures.
[50]The tribe of El-Ashash still exists, its chief is the well-known Bou-Dhiaf.
[51]The family of Beni Merad long governed in the Aures; they were subsequently expelled and now inhabit Guerfa between Ain Beida and Guelma.
[52]I cannot at all identify this tribe; the name is unknown in the country at the present day, and I should be inclined to think that Bruce meant the Oulad Abdi, who occupy the principal part of the Aures, but for the fact that he subsequently mentions them as the Welled Abdi.
[53]Perhaps panthers are here meant, there being no tigers in Africa.
[54]This is not extant in the Kinnaird collection.
CHAPTER VII.
OUR ARRIVAL AT BATNA — HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE AURES MOUNTAINS.
After having spent some hours at the Medrassen, we continued our way to Batna. The first part of the route was across country for about five miles, after which we rejoined the high road at the Hôtel du Tournant, about six and a quarter miles from Batna. The Governor-General had been good enough to send special recommendations in our favour to the Commandant of that station, General Dastugue, and as chance would have it, General Chanzy was himself on a tour of inspection, and expected to arrive at Batna about the same time as ourselves. We were in a sorry plight, having spent the previous night in the diligence; we were mounted on Arab mules and pack-saddles, and altogether presented a miserably travel-stained appearance. Judge of our horror at having thus to run the gauntlet of all the officials who had come out to meet the Governor-General: the Commandant himself with a brilliant staff, all the judicial authorities in their robes, the Maire and Municipal Council, streets of little boys and girls bearing flowers and banners, and ready to sing a pæan of praise to His Excellency. And, worst of all, we were stopped by General Dastugue in the midst of all this glory; he had recognised us even in our rags and dirt, and wished us to understand that as soon as his official duties were over, he would do all in his power to facilitate our journey, a promise which he far more than fulfilled.