He Addressed A Few Words To The
Mahasni, With Whom He Seemed To Be Well Acquainted, Inquiring Who I
Was.
The old man answered, "O Jew, my sultan understands our
speech, thou hadst better address thyself to him." The lad then
spoke to me in Arabic, but almost instantly dropping that language
proceeded to discourse in tolerable French.
"I suppose you are
French," said he with much familiarity, "shall you stay long in
Tangier?" Having received an answer, he proceeded, "as you are an
Englishman, you are doubtless fond of horses, know, therefore,
whenever you are disposed for a ride, I will accompany you, and
procure you horses. My name is Ephraim Fragey: I am stable-boy to
the Neapolitan consul, who prizes himself upon possessing the best
horses in Tangier; you shall mount any you please. Would you like
to try this little aoud (stallion)?" I thanked him, but declined
his offer for the present, asking him at the same time how he had
acquired the French language, and why he, a Jew, did not appear in
the dress of his brethren? "I am in the service of a consul," said
he, "and my master obtained permission that I might dress myself in
this manner; and as to speaking French, I have been to Marseilles
and Naples, to which last place I conveyed horses, presents from
the Sultan. Besides French, I can speak Italian." He then
dismounted, and holding the horse firmly by the bridle with one
hand, proceeded to undress himself, which having accomplished, he
mounted the animal and rode into the water.
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