250 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
of that country has fince forbidden. Several of this number 
were Muggrebines, or Occidental Arabs ; the remainder, 
amounting to one hundred and fifty or two hundred, includ- 
ing the chabir, or leader, were fubjeds of Fur. Few particulars 
of other caravans are known to me but by report. 
The Arabs and Jelabs find the camel too indifpenfable to 
their long and fatiguing voyages, not to employ much care in 
nourifliing him. This Jhip of the land, {jAS v^^>) is 
called, is exclufively the bearer of their fortunes, and the com- 
panion of their toils. Much care is obferved in rearing him, 
and not unfrequently the merchant pays nearly as much for the 
camels to carry his merchandize, as he did for the commodities 
themfelves ; what then muft be the profit that covers his ex- 
penfes, his fatigue, indemnifies him for accidental loffes, and 
yet leaves him a gainer ? But if this patient and enduring animal 
be thus rendered fubfervient to their wants, or their avarice, he 
is not at leaft tortured for their caprice. 
Horfes are very little ufed by the Jelabs. They generally 
furnifh themfelves with Egyptian alTes, which alleviate the 
fatigue of the way, and are afterwards fold in Soudan at an 
advanced price. The ftrength and fpirits of this animal are 
recruited with a fmall quantity of ftraw and water ; the horfe 
has not the fame recommendation ; and thefe people, though 
not averfe from parade in cities, find the labour and hazard of 
thefe voyages too enormous, not to augment their profits by all 
poffible economy. 
The 
