15^ TRAVELS IN THE 
ferent Moorish Korrees, or watering-places, which is commonly 
levied in cattle ; and a tax upon all merchandize which passes 
through the kingdom, and is generally collected in kind. But 
a considerable part of the king's revenue arises from the 
plunder of individuals. The Negro inhabitants of Ludamar, 
and the travelling merchants, are afraid of appearing rich ; for 
Ali, who has spies stationed in the different towns, to give him 
information concerning the wealth of his subjects, frequently 
invents some frivolous plea for seizing their property, and re- 
ducing the opulent to a level with their fellow citizens. 
Of the number of All's Moorish subjects, I had no means of 
forming a correct estimate. The military strength of Ludamar 
consists in cavalry. They are well mounted, and appear to be 
very expert in skirmishing and attacking by surprise. Every 
soldier furnishes his own horse, and finds his accoutrements, con- 
sisting of a large sabre, a double barrelled gun, a small red leather 
bag for holding his balls, and a powder horn slung over the shoul- 
der. He has no pay, nor any remuneration but what arises from 
plunder. This body is not very numerous ; for when Ali made 
war upon Bambarra, I was informed that his whole force did not 
exceed two thousand cavalry. They constitute, however, by 
what I could learn, but a very small proportion of his Moorish 
subjects. The horses are very beautiful, and so highly esteem- 
ed, that the Negro princes will sometimes give from twelve to 
fourteen slaves for one horse. 
Ludamar has for its northern boundary, the Great Desert of 
Sahara. From the best inquiries I could make, this vast ocean 
of sand, which occupies so large a space in Northern Africa, 
