Free Nightmare in Morocco by Vickie Britton, Loretta Jackson

. "The skull of the donkey is also supposed to avert evil . But it is only a local superstition."
    "Do the country folk really believe in its power?"
    Eyes, almost black, lighted with amusement . "Do you really believe that the number thirteen is unlucky?"
    "That depends."
    "Depends on what?" Taber asked.
    "Upon how the rest of this tour goes."
    Taber smiled again . "By the way, Noa," he said in a teasing manner. "If an animal or other creature should call you by name, on no account answer."
    "I had no intention of answering."
    "Good . It's almost certain to be a j inni , a spirit that can possess even people . You've heard of what you call genies? But don't think they are all good."
    "Thanks for the tip . I wouldn't dream of trusting one." Usually Noa was anxious to begin talking to the group, but today she wasn't . Perhaps it was because she wanted to remain beside Taber . She rose and adjusted her microphone and began her speech, feeling a little nervous . "This time Rabat will be just a stopover on our way to Fez . We will return there and spend three full days."
    No cause for nervousness, Noa thought, glancing around . Cathy was sound asleep and the seven girls, only because of Marie Landos, remained grudgingly attentive . Belda and Milton Ward carried on their own sometimes very loud conversation, and Greg divided his time between Noa's talk and gazing toward the distant outline of the Rif Mountains .
    "Rabat is one of the four imperial cities and the main capitol . The name goes back to a fortified, tenth century monastery, a ribat ."
    Noa was flattered that a woman with the scope of Marie Landos would bother to write down the information she was giving, but Moulay surprised her more by his active participation in her lecture.
    "Look over there," he said in his deep, heavily accented voice . He indicated a field where two horses, tied to a circular wheel, threshed wheat . "Just like they worked in ancient times . I hate poverty!" Moulay's voice lowered and burned with the hated he spoke of . "I despise seeing my people living so primitively!"
    They arrived in the capitol city after dinner . Noa distributed keys for rooms, then she lingered in the hotel lobby.
    "I know a precious place here in Rabat!" Belda Ward approached her . "Some old ruins . Very few people get out to see them! I'm going out there right away! Milton won't go with me . Says he's played out . You wouldn't believe he's eleven years younger than I am!"
    "Aren't you tired after the long drive?"
    "I'm perfectly rested and ready for some footwork! I've already talked Johnny into taking me out there in the hotel car . He's agreed to leave me out there to do some exploring and pick me up an hour later."
    "Are you going alone?"
    "My dear," Belda said, "I was single until I was fifty seven! I've been a number of places alone . And I like it that way . My first husband died shortly after we were married . He was in politics . Didn't think I wanted to marry anyone again, then a year ago, here comes Milton!"
    "Is he in politics, too?"
    "Goodness, no! He's spent all of his life and a fortune trying to establish himself as a painter, which he never did . You could see for yourself why if you ever laid eyes on his work! I don't kid him . I tell him right out, they're just terrible . I said, `You should have gone into politics!' But nothing discourages him!" She paused for a quick intake of breath, "But he's a dear! Even though he couldn't plan and carry out an afternoon picnic!"
    "Would you mind if I came along with you?"
    "Of course not!" Belda checked her watch . "I'm going to change . I told Johnny twenty minutes . Bring your camera!"
    Belda, wearing pleated, khaki slacks and a blouse with huge, yellow flowers, waited impatiently at the entrance . She hadn't taken time to brush back the short, gray hair and now stuffed flying locks under a cap she had probably borrowed from Milton.
    "That nice boy, Greg, has been looking for you . I didn't tell him you were