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As it is now, Yusuf-ibn-Tachfin founded it in 1072, a city which covers almost as much ground as Paris a purely African city. Fez, Tetuan, Tangier, have Spanish blood in them: Marrakesh is African to the core.
We were among them all, the first time we rode through the city. No one walks in Marrakesh: as a matter of fact I did later on, often enough, sometimes alone, getting somewhat jostled in the narrow ways beyond that in no way inconvenienced.
But in spite of misdeeds, the Moors love the stately bird, and there are hospitals for storks in Fez and Marrakesh, where men whose sanctity surpasses their ignorance are paid to minister to the wants of the sick or injured among them.
When the Court Elevated by Allah left Marrakesh for the north some years ago, the sorely-tried natives had risen against their master, they had captured and plundered his house, and he had been fortunate in getting away with a whole skin. Thereafter the tribesmen had fought among themselves for the spoils of war, the division of the china and cutlery accounting for several deaths.
"I heard you were coming," he panted "sent for by the Sultan Allah preserve him! but had I known you were to be here so soon I that is " "Peace be with you!" interrupted Israel. "God grant you peace. The Sultan praise the merciful Allah!" the Kaid continued, bowing low over Israel's stirrup "he reached Fez from Marrakesh last sunset; you will be in time for him."
By this time we could see the old grey wall of Marrakesh more plainly, with towers here and there, ruinous as the wall itself, and storks' nests on the battlements, their red-legged inhabitants fulfilling the duty of sentries.
To the top of the eighth storey, which is the first addition, dating from the sixteenth century, now used as a belfry, the height is about 220 feet. The present total height is a little over 300 feet. The original turret of the Girálda, similar to that at Marrákesh, was destroyed in 1396 by a hurricane. The additions were finished in 1598.
The configuration of the empire explains its previous sub-division into the kingdoms of Fez, Marrákesh, Tafilált and Sûs, and the Reef, for between the plains of each run mountain ranges which have never known absolute "foreign" rulers.
Brought on camels through Dukala and R'hamna to Marrakesh, they were left to fill up the countless rooms without care or arrangement, though their owner's house must hold more than fifty women, without counting servants.
This particular rekass left Marrakesh on Monday morning at ten, and reached Mogador on Wednesday afternoon at three, doing his two hundred and seventy miles in forty-nine hours.
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