We drew tip on a large square in the town, where the consul was met by Colonel Pariel and several ofhcers who had assembled for the occasion. It was interesting to watch the large gathering of Arabs and Jews in their picturesque garments and the local notables in their best bournouses and turbans performing the salaam and welcoming Monsieur de Vitasse. After the ceremony accompanying the presentation of reports to the consul and the introduction of officials the inspection of the horses began. To me the animals did not appear to be particularly fine specimens; yet I must admit that I am hardly a fair judge, as I am not familiar with the Berber and Arab breeds. As the day of our arrival happened to be Monday, we were also fortunate in striking a suk, or market, to which the local population of the region flocked in crowds with their sheep, camels and various products and wares for sale and exchange. The combination of these two major events gave to the town an air of bustle and life and an appearance of brilliance and color.
While Zofiette went to the home of the civil administrator, Monsieur Marcel, to greet Madame Pariel and to have some rest before the luncheon to which he had invited us, I turned to visit the town and the near-by slopes of Jebel Sidi el-Abid which overhangs Berguent. I also had a look at the market outside the town and at the streets in the Arab quarter before returning to the place. I shall long remember the impressions of that morning. The sun blazed madly and with such pitiless fire that it was only my rather thick garments which protected me from its burning rays. From the slopes of the mountain I looked out over the yellow, or rather golden, desert
