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When it was seen by those on the ship, a sailor came ashore in a small boat and approached the Mussulmans there assembled. "Let no one insult the Christian," said Sidi Hecham, "until we learn his purpose in landing here." They asked him, "What do you want?" The Christian replied, "We wish to receive, in the name of God, pledges of security."
When the Mussulmans heard this they gathered together wheat, oil, oxen, and everything he had mentioned. He made his purchases, and was well supplied. The master of the ship then said: "Our business is finished. We must go back home. But we shall return to you." Hecham answered: "That which I have done for you is not pleasing to the people of Aglou.
None of the students paid for his living. It was furnished by the chief of the country, Hecham. He gave to the zaouiah mentioned, six servants and six slaves to cook the food of the students. The number of the villages of this country is nine. The Kashlah of Hecham is situated in the middle of the country. The Jewish quarter is at the left. The market is held every day at the entrance to the fort.
The number of the wives that Hecham has married is four white and six slaves the latter black. His only son has as many white wives as his father, but more black ones. The men of Tizeroualt are of the number of 1,400. But for the women, boys, and girls, God alone knows the figure. They possess 200 horses, beside those of Hecham.
The people of Aglou assembled day and night, big and little, even the horsemen before it. No one was missing. The chiefs of the town wrote letters which they sent to all the villages. They sent one to Sidi Hecham couched in these words: "Come at once. The Christians have made an expedition against us, and have taken this port."
Sidi Hecham sent messengers to all the provinces over which he ruled and said in his letters: "You must accompany me to the country of Aglou, for the Christians have made an expedition against us." All the neighboring tribes assembled to march against the Christians. When Sidi Hecham had joined them he said, "You must raise a red flag like theirs." They raised it.
All who were present said, "God grants to you security with us." The Christian then continued, "My object is to trade with you." "That is quite agreeable to us," answered Hecham. Then Hecham asked the Christian what he wanted to purchase." "Oil, butter, wheat, oxen, sheep, and chickens," said he.
It is only on account of the pledge of security that I have been able to restrain them. I have given you all you asked. Next time you come, bring us fifty cannons and ten howitzers." "Very well," answered the Christian, "I shall return this time next year." "Do as you promise," replied Hecham, "and I will give you whatever you want in the country of the Mussulmans."
When these goods enumerated above have arrived, the merchants, both Jews and Mussulmans, come forward and buy them according to the needs of their business. I will add here, with more details, some words about Hecham. He has twelve sons, all horsemen, who have thirty-six horses. As for oxen, sheep, and camels, God alone could tell the figure.
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