88 
MODE OF CURING BEEF. 
contrary, that is considered a meritorious action, and they 
lose no opportunity of plundering them. 
On the loth of December, the camp moved twelve 
miles W. i N. W. to a spot three miles east of lake Aleg, 
whither a party went to fetch water for the use of the camp. 
The women are charged with this labour ; they fill the skins 
and load them upon asses at nine they left the camp, and 
they were back again in an hour. 
It was now beginning to be cold ; the north wind blew 
violently, and rendered the nights very unpleasant. At this 
season the Moors set up the vatToi, a large covering made of 
tanned sheep-skins sewed firmly together; they stretch it 
over stakes in their tents, with the sides hanging down, so 
as to keep off the wind during the night. They have also 
woollen counterpanes, or cloaks, which they buy from the 
Koont traders, who bring them from Walet, or other great 
towns in the interior. They wrap themselves up in these 
counterpanes at night, and also in the day, when the cold is 
severe. The slaves sleep also under the varroi, upon the 
ground, with no other covering than the sheep- skin which 
serves for their clothing. 
On the 1 1th, T saw an ox killed : the four feet were first 
tied by slaves, who knocked the beast down, and thrust a 
stake through the skin of his throat to prevent him from 
moving his head ; a marabout stuck him, and the slaves 
took off the skin. The flesh was cut into thin slices and 
hung upon cross-bars, fastened to poles, to dry. A fence 
of briars was formed round it to keep off the dogs, and it was 
covered with mats to preserve it from being spoiled by the 
sun. A slave slept by it till it was dry, and kept up a small 
fire ^t night to counteract the effect of damp. The meat 
thus dried was put in leather sacks to preserve it. When it 
is well dried, it will keep a long time, and has no disagree- 
able taste. The Moors generally eat it without further pre- 
