Chap. LXXIX. TONGL — BARBAROUS CUSTOM. 245 
water. The valley is bordered on this side by steep 
banks of considerable elevation. As soon as I be- 
came aware of the swampy character of the plain, 
which greatly retarded the progress of my camels, 
I endeavoured to strike across the swampy ground, 
and to reach the firm bank again ; but had consider- 
able difficulty in doing so. 
The bank was adorned by a growth of the finest 
trees, which gave to the river scenery a peculiar cha- 
racter, and invited us to halt during the hot hours 
of the day. We therefore encamped opposite Tongi, a 
hamlet lying on a low swampy island, separated from 
us by a considerable open creek, and ruled over by a 
man of the name of Salah, who was a brother of 
Hamma-Hamma, the very man who was to serve us 
as a guide, but who had broken his word. The 
people, wRo seemed to be called Dekiten, behaved 
very hospitably, sending us immediately upon our 
arrival cows' and goats' milk as a refreshment, and 
giving us in the course of the afternoon a bullock for 
our further entertainment. I have already mentioned, 
I think, on a former occasion, how cruelly the in- 
habitants of these regions treat oxen which have 
been destined for slaughter, although in general they 
are rather mildly disposed towards animals. In con- 
formity with their barbarous custom, my companions 
broke the hind legs of the animal which had been 
given us as a present, and allowed it to drag itself 
about in this state until they found it convenient to 
slaughter it. 
R 3 
