A TREK THROUGH BORNU 257 



held us but that an almost morbid sense of duty 

 forbade an hour's delay. 



We were particularly grieved to miss the cow- 

 Fulani, some of whose customs they related to us. 

 These wandering people had lately been on a visit to 

 Nafada, and had there held a play to test the en- 

 durance of their young men. It was witnessed by 

 our hosts, who described it to us in vivid language. 

 A circle was formed round some young braves, who 

 stood with arms raised above their heads, thus signi- 

 fying their readiness to undergo the ordeal. Their 

 expression might not vary from cheerfulness and calm. 

 Meantime their comrades were armed with long sticks, 

 and from time to time they would step forward and 

 beat the young Stoics with a force abundantly attested 

 by the weals that a cow-Fulani bears round his body 

 to his dying day. 



The man who has shown no sign of suffering has 

 proved his manhood, and is now considered worthy of 

 marriage. Girls stand round to watch, and to them 

 belongs the right of ending the test : this they do 

 by stepping forward with raised hands. 



When a man has already gained a great reputation 

 for courage his fellows will not strike him — not, it is 

 said, that they dread reprisals, but for fear lest his 

 demeanour should excite worship from too many young 

 ladies. 



Another sport they practise is a form of bull- 

 baiting. The fore and hind legs of a bull are 

 bound with a rope, which is held taut at either 

 end by two groups of men, who thus deprive the 

 animal of power of movement. Its head is free, and 

 a man comes and squats in front of it within range 



B 



