80 
CULTIVATION OF MILLET. 
quietly till the millet makes it appearance^ then thin it a 
little^ and weed round the roots to give it air ; many do no 
more than this, and suffer the grass to grow up between the 
roots. 
When the ear begins to show, they stay in the field to 
drive away the birds, which would devour the grain before 
it is ripe ; and this occupation does not allow them a 
moment's rest : they walk about the field incessantly, shout- 
ing and throwing stones, and at night they lie down among 
it to protect it from gazelles, porcupines, and wild boars, 
which would make great havoc- 
When the millet is ripe, they cut it, and thrash it 
with sticks. The grain is put into sacks, and carried to 
the camp, and those who have reaped more than they are 
likely to want carry the surplus to the markets, and sell 
it to the dealers. 
On the 4th of November, the son-in-law of Mohammed- 
Sidy-Moctar came to the camp. As he did not lodge with 
his father-in-law, I conclude that they were not on good 
terms. I went to pay him a visit ; he was very polite, and 
asked me many questions about the resolution which I had 
taken, congratulating me upon it, and telling me that he 
was very much afraid the christians would detain my 
goods, or, if I returned to fetch them, would detain me 
by force. I endeavoured to correct a mistake which pro- 
ceeded from his religion, and assured him that the chris- 
tians would leave me at perfect liberty to do what I pleased ; 
and that as to my goods they would be as safe in their hands 
as in my own. " The whites," said I, rob nobody i their 
laws punish such crimes with severity, and they would do 
justice to the poorest Musulman exactly as they would to 
a christian of the first importance ; both are equal in the 
eye of the law." I seized this opportunity to ask him, 
why the Musulmans pursued a conduct with regard to 
