206 JOURKEY TO CENTRAL AFRICA.

CHAPTER XVI.

MY RECEPTION IN BERBER.

4. Wedding — My Reception by the Military Governor — Achmet — The Bridegroom — A Guard— I am an American Bey — Keff— The Bey's Visit— The Civil Governor— About the Navy — The Priest's Visit — Riding in State— The Congolese Stallion — A.

Merchant's House— The Town— Dinner at the Governor's — The Pains of Royalty— A Salute to the American Flag — Departure.

I was sitting at my tent-door at dusk, after a luxurious dinner of fowls and melons, when we suddenly heard a great sound of drums and Arab singing, with repeated discharges of musketry. The people told us that a marriage was being celebrated, and proposed that I should go and take part in the festivities.

I therefore partly resumed my Frank dress, and told Achmet that he must no longer represent me as a Turk, since, in the conquered countries of Soudan the ruling race is even more unpopular than the Franks. " Well, master," said he ; " but I must at least make you an American Bey, because some rank is necessary in these countries." He took a lantern, and we set out, in the direction of the noises.

As we passed the mosque, & priest informed us that the wedding was at the Governor's house, and that the bridegroom was the son of a former Governor's wekeel, or deputy. The