The fortress is built above the fountain, in
the middle of the city. It is entirely constructed of mortar, cut stone,
marble, and beams, all from Christian countries. It was the residence of
the khalifah of the King in the time of Mouley-Soliman. When this prince
died, the people of Tiznit revolted, drove away the lieutenant, and made a
concerted attack upon the citadel, which they completely destroyed. They
took the stones and beams and built a mosque on the spot, near the fountain
of which we have spoken. But when Mouley-Abd-Er-Rahman came to the throne
he sent a caliph to Tiznit. He gave him 300 horsemen. When the caliph
arrived near the town he waited three days and they gave him food and
barley. At the end of this time he made a proclamation summoning all the
people to him. When they came he read them the royal edict and said:
"I must enter your city to occupy the fortress of the King!" They said:
"No; go back whence you came and say to your master: 'You shall not rule
over us. Your fortress is totally destroyed, and with the material we have
built a big mosque in the middle of our city.
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