132 TRAVELS IN THE 
backs to the wind when they look up, to prevent the sand fall- 
ing into their eyes. 
About this time, allthe women of the camp had their feet, 
and the ends of their fingers, stained of a dark saffron colour. 
I could never ascertain whether this was done from motives of 
religion, or by way of ornament. The curiosity of the Moorish 
ladies had been very troublesome to me ever since my arrival 
at Benowm ; and on the evening of the 25th (whether from 
the instigation of others, or impelled by their own ungovern- 
able curiosity, or merely out of frolic, I cannot affirm) a party 
of them came into my hut, and gave me plainly to understand 
that the object of their visit was to ascertain, by actual inspec- 
tion, whether the rite of circumcision extended to the Nazarenes, 
(Christians,) as well as to the followers of Mahomet. The 
reader will easily judge of my surprise at this unexpected decla- 
ration ; and in order to avoid the proposed scrutiny, I thought 
it best to treat the business jocularly. I observed to them, that 
it was not customary in my country to give ocular demonstra- 
tion in such cases, before so many beautiful women ; but that if 
all of them would retire, except the young lady to whom I point- 
ed, (selecting the youngest and handsomest), I would satisfy her 
curiosity. The ladies enjoyed the jest ; and went away laughing 
heartily ; and the young damsel herself to whom I had given 
the preference, (though she did not avail herself of the privi- 
lege of inspection), seemed no way displeased at the compli- 
ment ; for she soon afterwards sent me some meal and milk for 
my supper. 
March 28th. This morning a large herd of cattle arrived 
