Chap. XXVI. DOMESTIC SLAVERY. 
151 
astonished at the little traffic which I observed on 
this route, though we met a considerable natron- 
caravan coming from Zinder, the ass and the bul- 
lock going on peaceably side by side, as is always 
the case in Negroland. The country continued to 
improve ; and the fields of Charo, shaded as they 
were by luxuriant trees, looked fertile and well cared 
for, while the clusters of neat huts scattered all about 
had an air of comfort. Here we ought to have passed 
the previous night ; and my companion had gone in 
advance to deliver his order, and probably to get a 
good luncheon instead of his missed supper. Beyond 
this village, or rather district, cultivation seemed to 
be less careful ; but perhaps the reason was only that 
the villages were further from the road. 
The quiet course of domestic slavery has very little 
to offend the mind of the traveller; the slave is 
generally well treated, is not over worked, and is 
very often considered as a member of the family. 
Scenes caused by the running away of a slave in con- 
sequence of bad and severe treatment occur every 
day with the Arabs, who generally sell their slaves, 
even those whom they have had some time, as soon 
as occasion offers ; but with the natives they are very 
rare. However, I was surprised at observing so few 
home-born slaves in Negroland — with the excep- 
tion of the Tawarek, who seem to take great pains 
to rear slaves — and I have come to the conclusion, 
that marriage among domestic slaves is very little 
L 4 
