92 
MOORISH COURTSHIP. 
are full they are covered with ox- hides, straw, and earth ; 
care is also taken to give the surface of the soil above 
the same appearance as it has round about ; for, if discovered, 
the treasure would be carried off by other Moors ; when 
they remove from the spot, they make a mark on some tree 
or stone near the hole, and the gum is left there till it is 
taken to the markets to be sold : it is then put into large 
leather bags ; and carried by ox en and camels. 
There is no private property in gum-trees; every mara- 
bout has a right to send as many slaves as he likes, without 
asking leave, or paying any additional contribution. It 
would assuredly be a great source of wealth to them, if they 
consulted their own interest better, but they are so indolent 
that they not only do not try to augment the number of their 
slaves, but do not even send as many of those they possess 
as they might do. Their wants however are limited; a 
single garment suffices them. 
On the 14th a young man belonging to a neighbouring 
tent, having a mistress in the camp of the Oulad Biery tribe, 
invited me to accompany him, with some other friends, to 
pay her a visit; this camp was a mile to the north of ours. 
I accepted the invitation, for I sought every opportunity of 
obtaining an insight into the character and customs of these 
people. I was politely received ; all the women collected 
around me, talked to me a great deal, and asked me many 
questions ; our conversation was pretty lively ; for they 
asked me amongst other things if I intended to marry, and 
on my replying in the affirmative, they desired me to chuse 
one of them, and pressed me to say which I liked best. I 
told them that the choice was too embarrassing, and that I 
would rather marry them all, for I thought them all equally 
beautiful and agreeable. This joke amused them ; they 
were very much pleased with it and even thanked me. Per- 
ceiving that the marabout lover was absent, I inquired what 
had become of him, but could get no information except that 
