364 TRAVELS IN 
have not. This is a large buckler, of the 
height of the perfon who bears it, behind which 
the Nimiqua can completely conceal himfelf. 
But, befide that his natural apathy prevents 
him from giving or taking offence, he is in 
j-eality pufiUanimons and cowardly from the 
coldnefs of his difpofition. To utter only the 
jiame of Howzouana before him is fufficient to 
make him tremble. This name is that of a 
neighbouring nation, born brave and warlike, 
and diftinguiflied from other African nations 
by peculiar features.. 1 fhall foon have occafion 
to fpeak of them. 
Notwithftanding his frigidity, the Nimiqua 
Is not infenfible to pleafure. He even feeks 
with avidity thofe which, requiring but little 
exertion, are capable of agitating him and 
procuring agreeable fenfations. Every even- 
ing, as foon as th^ fire was kindled in my 
camp, thirty or forty perfons, men and women, 
would come and fit with my people in a circle 
round it, For fome time a profound filence 
was maintained : at length one of them would 
open his mouth to relate a ftory, and would 
then fpeak without ceafing for hours together. 
\ was not fufficiently acquainted with the 
language 
