AND ANECDOTES. 305 The Emperor*s Attack ofDiminet, in the Atlas.

The emperor Seedi Muhamed ben Abdallah levied a powerful army, and took the field against Diminet, in the mountains of Atlas, east of Marocco. The people of Diminet, and the territory of Berebbers, east of that country, had also levied a strong force to defend themselves. The DiminetS" were taken by surprise ; for they had not had intimation of an attack from Marocco. The Emperor himself, with a few attendants disguised in the Berebber dress, advanced a few miles a-head of the army, A party of mountaineers had received orders from their sheik, (when the latter was informed that the Emperor's army was coming against them,) to seek the Emperor, and endeavour to kill him. They mistook the Emperor and his party for Berebbers, as His Majesty spoke the language correctly, and had in the early part of his life lived among them. " Where is the Emperor's guard ?"

the mountaineers enquired; *' for we are in search of them : we hear he is coming to attack us, in our inaccessible mountains ; but we will be beforehand with him, and dispatch him before he reaches us. Dost thou know where he is, or where his guard is." "We do know," replied the Emperor; " for, about an hour behind us, we passed a few men on horseback, among whom was the Emperor ; but the army is a long way behind : if you make speed, you will soon pass him, and it will be an easy matter for you to put the whole party