for blessing in return, which was in due course echoed by the chief
musician. At the bridegroom's house a similar entertainment was held,
the party promenading the lanes at dusk with torches and lanterns,
after which they received from the bridegroom the powder for next
day's play.

[Illustration: A MOORISH CARAVAN.]

Thursday opened with much-needed rest for Zóharah and her mother till
the time came for the final decking; but Mokhtar had to go to the bath
with his bachelor friends, and on returning to his newly prepared
dwelling, to present many of them with small coins, receiving in
return cotton handkerchiefs and towels, big candles and matches. Then
all sat down to a modest repast, for which he had provided raisins and
other dried fruits, some additional fun being provided by a number of
the married neighbours, who tried in vain to gain admission, and in
revenge made off with other people's shoes, ultimately returning them
full of dried fruits and nuts. Then Mokhtar's head was shaved to the
accompaniment of music, and the barber was feasted, while the box in
which the bride was to be fetched was brought in, and decked with
muslin curtains, surmounted by a woman's head-gear, handkerchiefs, and
a sash. The box was about two and a half feet square, and somewhat
more in height, including its pointed top.

After three drummings to assemble the friends, a procession was formed
about a couple of hours after sunset, lit by torches, lanterns
and candles, led by the powder-players, followed by the mounted
bridegroom, and behind him the bridal box lashed on the back of a
horse; surrounded by more excited powder-players, and closed by the
musicians. As they proceeded by a circuitous route the women shrieked,