Barely arrived in Mogador, still dressed in the dress of Moroccan Jews, Charles de Foucauld went to the French consulate to introduce himself to the chancellor, Mr. Montel.
He welcomed the Vicomte de Foucauld who hastened to send a letter to his sister Marie to reassure her, because his letters had never reached the ocean city.
Charles also asks for money to be sent to him.
He's almost gone.
Not only the anaïa, the escort, but the zettet, the protector, which allows you to cross a perilous region, is expensive.
Although he hid under the name of Joseph Aleman, more than once he was robbed by guides, even caravan leaders.
To discover
Discover the “Best of the Goncourt Prize” collection
Read alsoNine days in the life of Charles de Foucauld: six years old and already an orphan
Charles settles in a hotel run by Spanish Jews.
He hardly ever leaves his room, except to go to lunch with the chancellor.
From morning to evening he works on his notes, his sketches, his statements taken during his journey through Morocco.
Charles was dazzled by the beauty of the country, its fauna, its flora, its palm groves.
Often, instead of stopping in a mellah with Jews, he slept under the stars, much to the chagrin of Rabbi Mordecai.
The latter annoys him.
Because he constantly complains.
Read alsoNine days in the life of Charles de Foucauld: in 1876, he was received at Saint-Cyr
Charles got up to take a few steps in his room.
He stretches, smiles.
Passing for a Jew is not easy in Morocco.
He had the wisdom never to reply when he was insulted.
But his disguise has not always deceived his interlocutors.
Several Moroccans guessed that he was French and Christian, but no one denounced him as a "
spy
".
Some even confided to him that they would welcome an intervention from France.
Because of the sultan's greed in the el makhzen region under his control, or in the es siba territories, constantly subject to robbery.
After having dinner at the hotel, Charles goes back to work.
He was greedy for a long time.
He got sober.
He has always been criticized for his laziness, he continues to classify his drawings and his notes until late at night.
The viscount no longer wonders about the futility of his existence.
The mountains, the wadis, the nights spent contemplating the starry sky, the long walks, a notebook and a pencil hidden under his sleeves, the hours devoted to making astronomical observations, certain conversations with hajjs, returning from Mecca, shattered the feeling of emptiness that undermined him.
In Morocco, he feels he exists.
Especially in the most perilous situations.
Like in Mrimina.
The Hadj Bou Rhim of Tissint, with whom he had stayed and to whom he revealed his true identity, had advised him to go to this locality to ask the marabout Abd Allah for his protection as well as an escort before crossing the formidable territory of the Tinzoulins.
Sidi Abd Allah had agreed to it, but the time to organize this journey, a rumor had spread through the Sahara: the host of the marabout would be loaded with gold.
Sidi Abd Allah quickly learned that two bands of looters were already posted in ambush.
Soon Mrimina is put under siege.
Without waiting, Charles sent a letter to his friend Hadj Bou Rhim, asking him to pick him up.
The next morning, twenty-five infantry and two cavalry invaded the courtyard of the house where Charles resided.
Hadj Bou Rhim did not hesitate for a moment to pull him out of this bad situation.
They joined Mogador together, traveling by night and only stopping at reliable friends.
Charles is determined to conceal his personal adventures in the report he will write on his return.
They only concern him.
Nor will he talk about the night spent in the oasis of Tanzida.
It included the Arabs' belief in the mystery of a twilight during which the sky parted and angels appeared while the waters of the sea became sweet and all creation, men, beasts and plants, bowed to worship the Creator.
Charles nods.
One can understand a legend.
To be moved by it.
But it would be irrational to believe it.
The cover of
Figaro Hors-Série
Charles de Foucauld, a voice in the desert Private collection-Color by Klimbim et Fond
Charles de Foucauld, a voice in the desert, 164 pages, €12.90, available on newsstands and Figaro Store