THE ZENAGUES. 
103 
grasping lords always claim more than is due, and inflict the 
most horrible tortures to extort what they want. I have 
already mentioned how they drag them at the camel's tail ; 
but their cruelty goes still farther if nothing can be got by 
torturing a poor zenague, his barbarous master not unfre- 
quently stabs him. They are never safe from these tyrants, 
who pursue them even into their camps ; where they some- 
times take up their abode for days, and call for whatever 
they like. 
The zenagues possess few oxen, but large flocks of sheep 
and goats, of whose milk they make butter, which they can 
exchange at the markets for Guinea cloth. They are allowed 
to keep a few slaves, who are employed in taking care of their 
flocks ; but they must not send their slaves to collect gum, 
or the hassanes would take it all for them. They seldom go 
far from the river, and usually encamp in a thick wood, to avoid 
as much as possible the troublesome visitations of the hassanes 
and other travellers. They prefer marshy land, because it 
affords most food for their cattle. They have a great deal of 
milk, but its flavour is unpleasant, owing to the many rank 
herbs which the ewes and goats feed upon 3 it is so bad 
indeed, that the hassanes and marabouts who come amongst 
them will hardly drink it, and never if they can procure any 
other. 
Immediately after the waters retire, the zenagues come 
down to the banks of the river to sow millet ; they work 
in the fields themselves with their slaves. The women, 
laborious through necessity, spin and weave the hair of the 
sheep and camels, to form coverings for their tents ; they also 
sew them together ; tan leather, make the varrois and every 
thing else except iron-work. Their method of tanning is as 
follows : if it is an ox-hide, they cut it down the middle ; they 
then make a pit in the ground and plaster it with cow-dung ; 
after having moistened the hide, and rubbed it with ashes, 
they put it into the pit, and cover it carefully with ashes. 
