PUNISHMENT FOR DANCING. 
13 
the Foulahs, observing them, came on board at night-fall in 
a party of about thirty, armed with bows and pikes. They 
severely censured the impropriety of allowing the slaves to 
dance during the Ramadan, observing that it was like making 
a scoff of religion, and that, as a punishment for such mis- 
conduct, a fine of five thousand cowries (a sum equal to 
twenty-five francs) must be paid. The master, to whose 
charge the slaves had been committed, earnestly defended 
the cause of his employer. A spirited altercation arose be- 
tween the parties, who were seated in a circle upon the 
sand. The Foulahs for some time shewed no disposition to 
forego their demands, but at length they were taught reason, 
and the dispute ended at the expense of the poor slaves, 
who, as a punishment for dancing during this sacred season, 
were each condemned to receive five lashes on the back. 
The sentence, however, was not executed with much se- 
verity, and it did not restrain the slaves from resuming their 
dance as soon as the fanatical Foulahs departed. 
From motives of prudence, I had for some time kept 
myself apart from this scene, but I felt curious to know, 
belore the departure of these rigid defenders of Islamism, 
what was the subject of dispute. 1 therefore approached 
the spot where they were and sat down on the sand be- 
side them. They were astonished at seeing me, for I had 
hitherto escaped their observation, owing to the interest they 
took in discussing the subject of the five thousand cowries, 
v^hich they conceived they had a right to exact. They 
told the master that I must certainly be the chief of 
the canoe and the proprietor of the cargo; that I must 
doubtless have money; and that I must make them a hand- 
some present. 
The master answered them that I was a poor Arab, whom 
the christians had carried off from his country when a boy, 
and that I was proceeding to Mecca, to seek my relatives. 
