Page:Ossendowski - The Fire of Desert Folk.djvu/110

94 learned Moslem theologists as to the burial-place of the saint, some maintaining that the interment took place where the kubba now stands, while others point to an old tree, covered with sacrificial streamers and bits of cloth, as the real resting place. The second of the Marabouts was buried under another tree, the shadow of which at noontime is held to be the best cure for hip disease. The water from a well near by, dug by Sidi Yahia himself, is also credited with healing powers.

On the grass near the wall about the kubbas crowds of pious people were sitting and listening to the teachings of some Marabouts; but not even these faithful ones were allowed within the walls of the sacred enclosure.

After a walk across the oasis we re-entered the car and returned to town, where we drew up by the park that begins near the Medina wall. Colonel Pariel invited us to a Moorish café, where we were served excellent coffee; but, remembering my previous experience, I restricted myself to a single cup. The Colonel, who is very genial, learnèd and a lover of the Morocco where he has spent the last thirty years of his life, sketched for us the story of Ujda.

The town was founded in the tenth century and became later the capital of the Zenata dynasty. Other Moroccan dynasties alternately captured and held the place down to the thirteenth century, when the Almohade sultans sought to render it impregnable by encircling it with strong walls, which were, however, destroyed before that century had closed. But they were soon restored again and persisted this time, being the very ones