The Spanish in Oran's region. During the second third of the 19th century many Spaniards went as farmers to make their fortune in northern Algeria. On June 11, 1881, the men of the Marabout Mohamed el-Arbi, known as Bu-Amena, attacked farmers who were gathering esparto in the Oranian agricultural fields of Khalfalia and Frendah, near Saida (Algeria). It caused panic among European emigrants. Many of them returned to their countries of origin. 9,000 Spaniards did so between 11 and 22 June 1881. Port of Alicante (Spain). Disembarkation of Spanish workers, fugitives from Oran, repatriated by the steamships "Bess" and "Correo de Cartagena". Engraving by Rico. La Ilustracion Espa–ola y Americana, 1881.