August.] THEIR INDOLENT HABITS. 
275 
you in the face, and tell you he has three f This 
may appear a complete caricature to Europeans, 
yet, from what I have seen, I believe there is no 
exaggeration in the statement. Mr. S. said that 
most of them do not milk their cows in the 
morning, because their rest would be disturbed 
by early rising. After a long night's sleep, they 
will stretch their hands to the warm ashes of the 
fire, to light their pipe and smoke for a few 
minutes ; and when the heat of the sun increases, 
they crawl on all fours to the nearest shade, 
again to indulge in sleep. If this retreat be in- 
vaded by his powerful rays, they are roused from 
their second slumber, and will creep to some 
more shady part. About noon the cattle return 
from the field to drink ; with great exertion they 
then bestir themselves to rise and milk them, 
when they drink as much of the milk as they 
can ; after which they smoke, and compose them- 
selves for sleep, till the cool of the evening seems 
to rouse them a little. This is their ordinary 
mode of living, except when on journeys, for 
which they prepare by killing a sheep and eat- 
ing as much of it as they are able to devour 
They then set off, and are sometimes absent for 
five or six days without tasting a morsel more. 
Like most other savage tribes, if destitute of food, 
they tie a skin-cord round tfiem, which they draw 
tighter and tighter as they feel the attacks of 
hunger. 
T 2 
