The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCT. 9th, 1921. THE ROBIN HOOD OF .MOROCCO.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCT. 9th, 1921. THE ROBIN HOOD OF .MOROCCO.

A HF.viF.WEK says that Mrs Bosita ■Forbes is .fond of wandering in out-of-the-way places, where the feet of white men have seldom trod, and in her book •‘EI Raisuni,” she describes a remarkable experience. She went to Tnzrut, away in the crags of the Moroccan hinterland, in order to interview that notable biigand, the Sultan of the Mountains, known throughout tlio country as “The Slierif.” But it was no ordinary interview for E. Raisuni told her I

his life, story, which is here set forth. A strange story it is. El Raisuni was horn about 55 years ago, and is a man with a most commanding personality, and an extraordinarily powerful physique. Though originally an obscure trihal chieftain, lie has given the chancelleries of Europe infinite trouble. He lias been the head and front of the resistance to the Spanish. During the war he intrigued assiduously with the Germans,. He has kidnapped import-

ant. European otic, inis and travellers, and held them up to ransom, lie has had hi.s ups and downs, live years lie spent in a dungeon at Alogader, where prisoners died in chains beside him and were eaten by rats. But neither success nor adversity have been able to disturb the serenity of one who is looked upon as a saint throughout the length nr.d breadth of Morocco. P;1 Baisuui laid the foundations of his fortune by brigandage. He is quite flank about ii. His methods were those of Bobin Hood; be tool; from the rich and gave to the poor, who became his devoted henchmen. But even hi.s victims bore him no ill-will. He varied his predatory enterprise by doing them services, and bad many friends in high places. There is apparently some mag. nctism about him which di-arms even those lie iniu.es. The Spaniards, who have no reason to s'eak well of him, ba\e a saving: “No man goes .. 11 1 from him an enemy.'’ An American, Mr Pcrdiearis, who perforce enjoyed bis he-pitality for a time, found him an agreeable best, and decs not regret having been bis prisoner. Krcn Sir Harry Manlemi, who suffered much at bis I amis, admits that be has good points. Sir Harry .Maclean, who refused at the out'set to ask bis (Invernmeut to ransom him. was subjected to a painful form •:>!' pc.suasion.

Drummers beat on gnat instruments of bide, night and day, outside hi.s door. “It was a good idea, that of the drums." observed 111 Kaisuoi to Mrs Ji’orl'ts, “for a host is bound to

urovide muse- and entertainment for his guest, and at the .same lime no man can tear ;> g cal a noise ami sleep. I It'll the affair in tln* hands of Wakai. whose invention was ver\ nival. He proved liim-elf a master of noise till all in the house he'd their cars an 1 ran. After a while. Sir Harry .said In him. “Kill me, ancl have done with this trickery.” I'll Kaisiini replied : “It is not the custom of Arabs to kill a guest. Your life is safe. (!o ha: k and think whether von will write to vour (lorornment.” After almost a week of this. Sir Harry gave in. The interior of Morocco, has fell llie impact of civilisation but little. The atmosphere is that of the Arabian Nights. The Sultan’s word is law; he rewards and punishes at his own caprice, and his oiibje. ts never dream of questioning liis decrees. A story told bv El Raisuni of bis father illustrates the authority exercised by the Sultan. A

murder had been : r.niinilted. It \vunecessaiy that someone .should die, Iml lor various leasons it was inexpedient that the c.itual culprit should be exo ruled. Accordingly the Slierif vent lib

emissaries to brine before him a poor man. One was lound, and summoned to the presence. ‘‘Would \ou have .vour family live in plenty,” said the Sheiif, “and yourself gain Paiaclise? If so, remain’.er that on such and c.ucli a date you killed a certain person.’’ The man answered : ‘lf the ,Slierif wills it. it must be that l am guiltv.” And what was more. Allah gave him wisdom to answer convincingly all the (|iie.stion.s that were put to him at the trial.