198 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXXVII. 
The sandy shore, thickly covered with diim-bush, 
was represented to us as the retreat of numerous lions, 
and we were warned not to encamp here ; but we 
preferred exposing ourselves to this slight danger, as 
the strong wind did not allow us to pitch our tents 
on the top of the downs. We had scarcely made 
ourselves comfortable, when a great multitude of 
people belonging to the different tribes settled in the 
neighbourhood, — Tawarek, Kel e' Siik, Kuma, and 
Songhay gathered round us. Many of them had 
fine features, while others bore distinctly the African 
character. The Kel e' Siik, who seemed to presume 
upon their learning, scanty as it was, brought for- 
ward their religious prejudices, and I had a sharp 
disputation with them. 
The wliole of this district still belongs to Burrum. 
The Ruma seemed to have also a hamlet of their 
own in this tract on an island in the river, and ap- 
peared to be tolerably well off. A great deal of 
rice is cultivated hereabouts. I bought some, and 
had it pounded by two females, one of whom, during 
her work laughed and made merry almost without 
interruption, while her companion, who was of a more 
sullen temper, rendered herself guilty of theft, but 
was caught in the fact. 
Almost all the slaves of these Tawarek wear no- 
thing but a leathern dress, that of the females con- 
sisting only of a long apron, while the males very 
often provide themselves with a tight shirt or kilt of 
the same material. 
