232 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
after that faft, that we actually commenced our journey to 
•'^gyP^' mean time having pitched the tent under a 
great tree, where we were fheltered from the rays of the fun, 
and in tolerable fecurity, I fed on polenta [as-cide) and water 
with the camel-drivers. I had colledled eight camels for the 
journey, but the beft of them was ftolen while grazing. An- 
other died ; and to fupply his place I was obliged to feek one 
on credit, for my whole exchangeable property at that time 
amounted only to about eight piafters. 
While the caravan was aifembling, an incident happened 
which may deferve mention. The Muggrebins of Elwah, 
having paiTed by Selime, croffed the defert (a route of three 
or four days) to Dongola, where they carried off goods and 
captives. Among thefe was a Dongolefe girl, of fourteen years 
of age, who was fold in Upper Egypt, and carried to Kahira, 
where fhe was bought by an Arab, who had afterwards returned 
to Dar Fur with his property. - The girl being recognized by 
fome Dongolefe, of her own tribe, refident in Fur, the queftion 
came before the Melek of the diftridt, and was referred to the 
monarch. Her mafter pleaded the purchafe at a valuable con- 
fideration ; but it was decided that having been free, fhe was 
not a fubjedl of fale, and £he was reftored to her friends. 
This pretext of an accufation for purchafing free perfons is 
often ufed to extort money from rich merchants, and an in- 
ftance happened, within my knowlege, in which the purchafer 
was condemned, not only to forfeit two females, but to pay a 
fine of feven flaves for each. Such is the fole attention which 
the government pays to the freedom of the fubjed. 
Our 
