considered by his countrymen the only man capable of protecting and maintaining their nationality and independence, was unanimously elected Bey of Mascara. However, he did not continue long in the enjoyment of his deserved elevation, because Ben-Nouna, the chief of the Moorish party at Tlemecen, being afraid of being deprived of his post by Mahhi-el-Dinn, treacherously poisoned him. Sidi-Mahhi left two sons as heirs. Sidi-Mahommed, the eldest, being very pious, and wholly devoted to the contemplation of religious subjects, cared but little for worldly affairs and honours. Abd-el-Kader, the second son, having scarcely attained his twenty-fifth year, was endowed with quite a different character and disposition, and had already manifested such an activity and solidity of mind, and so great a desire for glory and fame, that he was thought superior to the rest of his countrymen. When, in 1826, he visited, as a pilgrim, the tomb of Mahommed, the saints of Mecca had openly told him, Thou shalt reign. This very extraordinary but very pleasant prediction was never forgotten by Abd-el-Kader; and, confidently expecting its accomplishment, he continually prepared himself for such an event. Under the tuition of his father he acquired the knowledge of the Koran, and all that regards the religion and traditions of his country. In consequence of his uncommon learning and erudition he deservingly obtained the title of Thaleb (meaning learned), and, through his exemplary and inoffensive conduct, that of Marabout (signifying Saint). It was by these means that our aspiring Arabian hero endeavoured to win the affection of his countrymen, and to gain influence and popularity above all his equals. In order to increase his chances to the prophesied throne, he applied, with great assiduity to learn the useful art of handling warlike weapons, and of drilling and managing the most fiery Arabian horses. Thus, after the unexpected demise of his father, he encountered no great difficulties, but obtained the succession of his authority, honours, and possessions. When he made his public entry into Mascara, only a few Arabs, whose appearance and accoutrements bespoke neither luxury nor greatness, accompanied him, and thus his government was at first considered both precarious and powerless.

But, after a little time, Abd-el-Kader gave evident proofs both of his activity and of his courageous determination, by marching against the city of Tlemecen, whose population was then divided into two parties, that of the Moors, headed by Ben-Nouna, and that of the Coulanghis (or descendants of the Turks), under the control of BenAouna-Bourshli; and having freed the country of Ben-Nouna by poison, and of Ben-Aouna by transportation, he formed there a mixed administration, and thus soon appeased the rivalry of the two factions. From Tlemecen he went afterwards at the head of his army to besiege Mastagenem, which, however, having been well defended by IbrahimMouhir, the Arabian chief was compelled to retreat; and in order to repair this check, he took by assault and possessed himself of Arzew. As Sidi-Ahmet, the commander of that city, had been taken fighting at the head of the Kabaïles, Abd-el-Kader condemned him to be beheaded, after having had his eyes burst and his limbs broken. After establishing at Arzew a new administration, composed of his partizans, and after having levied in the province of Titevi heavy contributions in money and provisions, the young Emir returned in triumph to Mas

cara, and was received with enthusiasm by his subjects. There, in his wretched residence of brick and mud, served by only a few negro slaves, and dressed as simply as the meanest of his countrymen, Abdel-Kader began to think of the possibility of restoring the empire of the Arabs, and their independence, by laying the foundation of a regular administration. The establishment of the French on the coast of Africa, instead of intimidating his mind, greatly stimulated his natural energy, and augmented in him the desire of realizing his bold enterprise, by uniting under the same standard all the inhabitants of the Atlas, and of the beautiful valleys which surround it; thus submit them to his domination, under the specious pretext of their national unity and independence.

Having succeeded in this, Abd-el-Kader did all in his power to obtain popularity amongst his new allies and subjects, by inspiring them with respect for his military importance, and with abhorrence for a foreign yoke. Until 1833 he remained a perfect stranger to the warfare that raged between the Africans and the French. But when the French, abandoning the coast, undertook the conquest of Arzew, Abd-el-Kader began hostilities with them; and at their advance upon the Beylicks of Mediah and Tlemecen, he so vigorously and so obstinately harassed and charged the invaders, that they were compelled to retreat. General Boyer, who was then commander-in-chief at Oran, having been informed by the Jews that Abd-el-Kader was the only man capable of opposing serious obstacles to the establishment and aggrandisement of the French in Africa, very wisely opened friendly negotiations with him, and endeavoured to make him an ally of France. The Numidian chief received with great caution and politeness the Turkish envoys who called upon him on the part of the commanderin-chief at Oran, did not refuse the proposals of General Boyer, but, amusing his agents with specious promises and protestations, would not subscribe to any document.

General Desmichels having succeeded General Boyer in command, persuaded that, by friendly means, the Arabs could never be subjected to the French domination, determined on conquering them by brute force, and consequently attacked several times the Arabs under the command of Abd-el-Kader, but without any signal success because he was obliged to fight in a country almost wholly unknown to his troops, intersected by water-floods and impracticable muddy passes, at every step of which his precarious military resources could be greatly damaged. During his retreat towards Oran, General Desmichels was unable to force Abd-el-Kader to accept battle; notwithstanding the Arabian chief, at the head of his cavalry, continually harassed the French army, and massacred all those that were separated from the main body. At last, Abd-el-Kader, having succeeded in surrounding a corps of infantry under the command of Colonel Dubarail, forced them to seek shelter in Arzew, which of course was soon invested by the Arabs. Having waited several days, without an opportunity of engaging the French, Abd-el-Kader, on the 5th of August, 1833, sent Colonel Duberail the following note :

"Praise to Mahommed! The Chief of the Moors, Sidi-el-AdiMahommed Abi-Abd-el-Kader-Sidi-Mahhi-el-Dinn, to the French

Chief. Health to the unbelievers! As you have not fulfilled the conditions of your treaties, and as you did not come out yesterday to fight with us, let us know your determination. We inform you on our part, that our troops surround Arzew on every side, and are ready to mount upon its bastions. We have several times beaten our drums, to show you that we wish to fight. If you seek after your safety and welfare, leave our country; otherwise I shall oppose you for ever. I will unite under the national standard all the inhabitants of the east and of the west, and I will wage a continual war against you. Our God will help us in fighting and in expelling you. Lay down your flag, and I will retreat to let you depart. Do not rely on the counsel of your guides, because they will be your ruin.” The next day, however, the French attacked Abd-el-Kader, and, well supported by the superiority of their artillery, and military experience and stratagems, repulsed the besiegers, after an obstinate and destructive combat ; but were soon after compelled to re-enter the town, without having gained an inch of territory or any important advantage over the Arabs.

The French government having taken into their serious consideration the truly alarming and ruinous state of their African possessions, and the enormous expenditure which every year was forced to be employed in order to keep the conquest, and to defend the lives and property of the French from the continual incursions and depredations of the savage natives, hit upon the plan of sending to Africa a civil and military commission, composed of experienced, intelligent, and prudent men, who were instructed and empowered to propose the adoption of such means as they should think the most proper and fit to insure the future settlement and welfare of the French in Africa.

These commissioners having consulted with the chief Turks and natives (allies and friends of France), and having by them been minutely informed of the state of the hostile tribes, the numerous inhabitants of the Atlas and its neighbourhood, and, through the instrumentality of the Jews, what were then and what could be the financial and military resources of the Arabs,-the commissioners unanimously declared themselves in favour of a system of conciliation and friendly intercourse, when they advised the civil and military authorities to try the experiment.

This was, in fact, a decision both prudent and indispensable; because, notwithstanding that the French were masters of Algiers, and that their conquest was defended on the right by Oran, and on the left by Bougia, they could not insure the welfare of their colonists from the incessantly repeated incursions of the natives; and to subdue them, either by the sword or fire, appeared almost impossible. On the other hand, as the Arabs had hitherto been constantly at war with the Turks, who oppressed them by their vexatious extortions, they would probably tolerate the French domination, provided it procured to them an advantageous mart for the sale of their corn and of their cattle, with the assurance that their property and their religion should be both respected and maintained inviolate. General Desmichels, concurring with the advice of the commis

sioners, adopted their suggestion; but, unfortunately, it was already too late. The proposed conciliation demanded, however, great precaution; but the French passed suddenly from one extreme to the other; while those with whom they had hitherto treated only by means of the sword and cannon, were soon transformed into allies, and became the object of their confidence and generosity. Abd-el-Kader, according to his custom, received the envoys of General Desmichels with marks of great politeness; and after the preliminary negotia tious were settled, the Governor of Oran recognised his independThe river Chetif, which has its source in the interior of the province of Titary, and, after having traversed the lake of the same name, turning to the left, discharges its waters into the Mediterranean, near Arzew, became the boundary of his possessions, comprising the whole of the fertile country lying between the empire of Morocco and the provinces of Oran, Titary, and Algiers. Abd-el-Kader obtained also great commercial advantages, with a supply of arms and ammunition, on promising to make use of them only against the enemies of France.

ence.

During the numerous skirmishes which had already taken place between the French and the Arabs, the able Numidian had remarked the superiority that military discipline and tactics imparted to their soldiers his quick and enterprising mind had not observed in vain the great resistance which a single French battalion had opposed to thousands of his cavalry; consequently he soon began to instruct his troops after the European fashion. Having formed a corps of infantry, he had them drilled by French deserters, in order that they might learn how to make use of the bayonet. Thus, behind the small river assigned to him as a limit to his estates, Abd-el-Kader was spreading military civilization amongst his subjects, and preparing the means of making the French repent of their silliness. As soon as the chief of the Arabs thought that he could stand against the conquerors of Algiers, several corps of his army were allowed to commit, with impunity, depredations on the province of Oran.

General Voriol, who had succeeded General Desmichels, being informed of the incursions of the Arabs, signified to Abd-el-Kader, that if such infractions of the treaty of alliance did not cease immediately, he should be compelled to treat him as an enemy. The governor of the colony, General d'Erlon, also addressed to the Emir an equally strong letter on the subject, and even threatened to depose him. But the brave and cunning Numidian appointed Ben Dran as his agent and plenipotentiary, and despatched him to Algiers in order to negotiate with General d'Erlon. Ben-Dran is a Jew of

a fine and imposing countenance, polite in his manners, graceful and lively in his conversation, and, above all, endowed with all those deceitful qualifications which are the essential and honourable requisites of a diplomatist. Such a clever and cunning personage very soon won the confidence and esteem of the French governor; and having clearly perceived that, in consequence of the want of sufficient military resources, the French were not able to attempt any thing decisive against his master, informed Abd-el-Kader of the exact condition of the French, and advised him to keep his troops in readi

ness, and to seize the first favourable opportunity of invading the French possessions.

About this epoch, a sheriff of the Sahara, called Monça, secretly stimulated and encouraged by French emissaries, entered with his army into the provice of Titary, and having taken possession of Medeah, sent from thence his agents to Milliana, exhorting its inhabitants to join his standard, in order to shake off the yoke of Abdel-Kader. The Emir, however, having been soon informed of what had taken place, crossed the Chetif at the head of his cavalry, and, passing like a thunder-bolt through Titary, entered in triumph into Medeah; and having expelled the Bey of the French, appointed in his stead one of his faithful friends, and began to organize his new conquest according to his plan and interest. General Trezel, then commander-in chief at Oran, remonstrated against so open an infraction of the treaty which had been concluded between the French and Abd-el-Kader, and demanded an explanation of the Emir's con duct; but his reclamations were utterly disregarded. General d'Erlon, either unwilling, or, rather, unable to employ military coercion against the Emir of Mascara, engaged, through his agent, Ben-Dran, the Numidian warrior to address submissive letters to both the Governors of Algiers and Oran; and, to obtain this, an officer of the staff, accompanied by Ben-Dran, was despatched to Abd-el-Kader : they found him at Hallouan, near Belida, very busy in establishing the settlement and organization of his new province. The French envoy, having presented to the Emir, on the part of General d'Erlon, several precious French curiosities, was, of course, well received, and obtained the object of his mission; and Abd-el-Kader, in reward of his apparent submission, was acknowledged the rightful conqueror and possessor of a new province.

A few weeks after this extraordinary renewal of friendly intercourse between the French and the Arabs, the Emir of Mascara, having been informed that the chiefs of the tribes of the Drouers and Zmelas were secretly intriguing with the French, and trading with them, he ordered the apprehension of Ismaël, one of them. The persecuted tribes appealed to General Trezel for protection, who, thinking that they deserved it, left Oran with his army, directed his course towards Tlemecen, and pitched his camp at Misserghim. From thence he apprized General d'Erlon of the cause and object of his movements, and demanded immediately both his approval and military resources. Having expected in vain for several days an answer from the governor, General Trezel considered it to be his duty to advance, and having reached Thlelet, on the road to Mascara, fixed and fortified his camp there on the 24th of June, 1834. The next day he sent the Jew Amar, with two officers of the staff, to endeavour to settle with Abd-el-Kader by peaceable means, but without success, On the 26th the French advanced towards the Lirig; but while they were marching over a narrow passage near Muley-Ismaël, they were suddenly attacked by the Arabs, under the command of Abd-el-Kader, and an obstinate and destructive engagement ensued. The French, however, routed the Arabs, and having passed the Sig, took possession of the camp of the Emir; but this