Chap. LXXYII. CURIOSITY OF THE WOMEN, 
203 
benaig, or strips of indigo-died cotton. It had been 
used as a talisman, an Arabic charm having been 
added to it. 
Here, as in general, I allayed the suspicions of 
the people and made them more familiar by show- 
ing them some pictures of men of various tribes. 
Notwithstanding the great distance which separated 
my tent from the encampment, none of the women 
remained behind, all being anxious to have a look at 
this curious and novel exhibition ; and having been 
sent about their business when they came in the day- 
time, they again returned towards night in such 
numbers that my people, being anxious for the safety 
of my small tent, which became endangered by 
these unwieldy creatures, endeavoured to frighten 
them away with powder. But all was in vain ; they 
would not stir till they had seen the pictures, which, 
in accordance with the disposition of each, excited 
their great delight or amazement. My custom, 
which I have mentioned before, of honouring the 
handsomest woman in every encampment with a 
looking-glass, created here a great struggle for the 
honour ; but I was so unfortunate as to hurt the 
feelings of a mother by giving the prize of beauty to 
her daughter, who was rather a handsome person. 
We remained here the following day, when we had, 
in the morning, a considerable fall of rain, which lasted 
several hours, and drenched the Sheikh and his fol- 
lowers in their leathern tent, while my old and worn 
white bell tent, pitched in this open hammdda, with- 
