El Graoui, with apparent frankness and good-humour, said that he should have much pleasure in carrying into effect the intentions of the Sultan in our regard, and that we should have full liberty to go where we pleased in the portions of the Great Atlas where the authority of the Sultan is recognised, orders being given that the local authorities should provide food for us and our followers. This brought us at once to a question of pressing importance. Up to this moment we had no notion as to the limits that might be set to our journey by the Marocco authorities, though too well aware that Hooker’s engagements in England would not under any circumstances allow us to carry our explorations very far. In answer to our inquiries, we were told that we were free to travel on the northern slope of the mountains that send their waters to the plain of Marocco. The names of various districts were mentioned, several of which were strange to our ears, and not to be found on any map; but we retained those of Glaoui, Ourika, and Reraya, the latter two being afterwards familiar to us. Further than this, we were informed that we might travel eastward through the provinces of Demenet and Ntifa, both apparently high mountain regions, whose waters run northward to the Oum-er-bia. We were emphatically told that we must not attempt to cross the chain southward in the direction of the Sous valley, and we gave a distinct promise to abstain from doing so. The actual decision as to our future route was far too important a matter to be disposed of on the spot by men so imperfectly prepared as we necessarily were, and it was arranged that Hooker should, in the course of the next day or two, acquaint El Graoui with the route which we might adopt. The main point being thus settled, some further conversation ensued as to the arrangements for our journey. El Graoui informed us that he would send an escort of five soldiers under the command of a Kaïd, and further suggested that the escort that had already accompanied us from Mogador should remain with us throughout the journey. As it seemed desirable to humour the great man’s fancies, the latter arrangement was at once agreed to, and in the sequel we found it decidedly advantageous. The interview was brought to a close by Hooker presenting to El Graoui a pair of excellent, though not showy, rifled pistols, which he had brought from England under the impression that they might be useful for personal defence. We had an unnecessarily large store of articles intended for presents—silver watches, musical boxes, opera glasses, cutlery, and the like; but, on reviewing our stores, Mr. Hunot decided that such objects would be thought too paltry for a man of El Graoui’s importance, and that serviceable fire-arms would be far better suited to his taste. FOOTNOTES: