104 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXXIII. 
Biblical expression, and observing that we circum- 
cised our hearts, and not any other part of our body, 
having expressly abolished that rite, as it appeared 
to us to be an emblem of the Jewish creed. 
I also told them that if they thought that circum- 
cision was a privilege and an emblem of Islam, they 
were greatly mistaken, as many of the pagan tribes 
around them, whom they treated with so much con- 
tempt, practised this rite. This latter observation es- 
pecially made a great impression upon them ; and they 
did not fail to remark that I always knew how to parry 
any attack made against my creed. But, in other 
respects, I was very cautious in avoiding any dispute, 
and I was extremely lucky in not having anything 
to do with an arrogant relative of the Sheikh, of the 
name of 'Abd e' Kahman Weled Sid, who had lately 
come from A'zawad to stav some time with his uncle, 
and obtain from him some present. 
With the small presents which I made to each of 
the Tarabanasa, I got on very well with them ; but 
as for their women, who, as was always the case at 
these encampments, came in the evening to have a 
look at me, and, if possible, to obtain a small pre- 
sent, I left them without the least acknowledgment. 
Among the whole tribe I did not observe one distin- 
guished in any manner by her beauty or becoming 
manners. 
The chief behaved so inhospitably that my com- 
panions were almost starved to death, and I had to 
