Translating Nouzha Fassi Fihri's La Baroudeuse: A Case Study in ...

The nationalists had organized themselves into several active units. The
few days of calm that followed the presentation of the Manifesto gave them time
to complete the major plan of resistance.
In the secrecy of locked houses, the silence hardly broken by the soft step
of devoted servants distributing mint tea, the resolute leaders had written speeches
and appointed those who would organize demonstrations. They had encouraged
strikes, distributed the remaining weapons and planned for replacements in case
of death or arrest.
Some hid inside the enclosure of Moulay Idris Mausoleum in order to act
unimpeded if conflict broke out. They knew quite well that the enemy would
surround this privileged zone first but would never dare violate its sacred status.
They had done their best to convince the people that grave events were
coming soon and to prepare them to face the storm that already thundered in a
dark sky. Everyone knew from experience that the road would be long and thorny.
The French would not easily abandon their vision of a great empire. Morally
weakened and physically strained, deformed or fatalistic citizens needed to be
shaken and helped to find the necessary flame in an unequal combat. Everyone
knew also that too many selfish interests were involved, but especially that the
worst dissuasion was the paralyzing, conscience-killing security, the same that the
master promises his slave and that the oppressor gives in exchange for self-
determination.
When the city awoke, it was surrounded. Soldiers of the native and
Senegalese regiments patrolled the streets and terraces. Protests were instantly
organized. Patriotic slogans rang out from each part of the city. Speakers followed
151