Chap. LXXV. THE RUMA'. — SMOKING. 
161 
the great narrowing of the river at Tosaye, where a 
stone might easily be thrown from one bank to the 
other, while at the same time the river was so deep, 
that a line made from the narrow strips of a whole 
bullock's skin was not sufficient to reach the bottom. 
While thus cheerfully enjoying the interesting 
scenery, we were joined by several Rumd inhabitants 
of the village, who rather disturbed our silent con- 
templation. But their own character was not wholly 
uninteresting ; for several of them were distinguished 
from the common Songhay people by the glossy 
lustre and the lighter hue of their skin ; their fea- 
tures also were more regular, and their eyes more 
expressive. All of them wore, as an outward token 
of their descent, a red bandage about two inches 
wide over the shawl which covered the upper part 
of their face, and a leathern belt hanging loose 
over the right shoulder, ready to be fastened round 
the waist at the first signal of danger. Several of 
them were also distinguished by their better style of 
dress, which betokened a greater degree of cleanliness 
and comfort. As for smoking, all the inhabitants 
along the shores of this great river seemed to be 
equally fond of it. The pipe is scarcely ever out of 
their mouth. While smoking, they keep their mouth 
covered, after the fashion which they have learnt 
from the Tawarek. The head of the pipe sticks out 
from below the shawl. 
At length the camels arrived. They had been 
called back by mistake from the upper road which 
VOL. V. M 
