270 TRAVELS IN THE SAHARA. 
pays no tribute, enjoys the fruit of his labour and 
commerce, and, as no contributions are requisite 
for the charges of the state, whatever he acquires is 
his own. The fugitive Moors are never armed, ex- 
cept when they go to battle ; but the natives go 
continually armed, whether they reside in the coun- 
try, resort to the markets, attend the assemblies of 
the nation, or pay visits. As the Monselemine terri- 
tory is the retreat of the rich Moors who wish to fly 
from the tyranny of the Emperor of Marocco, they 
are too well acquainted with the Moorish customs to 
be surprised by that prince. No sooner does a Moorish 
army take the field, than the inhabitants of the coun- 
try cantons mount their horses, and occupy the passes 
of the mountains, while the women and slaves, es- 
corted by a sufficient number of warriors, retire to 
the interior parts of the country, or, if they be hard 
pressed, to the desert. Among the pastoral tribes, 
there are many that addict themselves entirely to 
arms, and serve as cavalry in the time of war. Du- 
ring peace, they escort caravans, or exercise them- 
selves in military evolutions, and the management 
of their horses. Being almost always on horseback, 
and wearing no boots, they have a callous lump on 
that part of the leg that comes in contact with the 
iron of the stirrup. Their horses, which they break 
in an admirable manner, are the best in the world ; 
as they are treated with great care by their masters, 
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