ARRIVAL AT THE MART. 
115 
the tents ; this spot is called Teneque, We passed the night 
there^ and were supplied for supper with some ewes' milk of 
a detestable flavour ; but we were forced to drink it, for we 
had no choice and were dying of hunger, not having tasted 
a morsel that day. We had still nine miles further to go to 
the bank of the river ; and the next day, at dawn, we con- 
tinued our journey. We met many travellers who were 
coming from Podor and from the settlement. At two o'clock 
we reached the bank of the river, which we crossed in a 
canoe, and proceeded to Moctar-Boubou's, where I had 
lodged when I first came amongst the Moors. We remained 
there three days, during all which time my guide endea- 
voured to dissuade me from going to the mart ; being appre- 
hensive that, on my arrival there, I should leave him and 
return to the christians. 
The Braknas do not eat fish but hold it in the greatest 
abhorrence ; it is not, however, forbidden by the laws of 
Mahomet, but they dislike it on account of its strong smell. 
The marabout who accompanied me abstained for three 
days from couscous, rather than eat what had been boiled 
with fish. This dislike is not universal amongst the Moors ; 
I have seen the Trarzas eat fish, and have been told that 
those who live on the coast are fishermen. I mentioned this 
to my companion j he replied, that the Trarzas, being nearer 
neighbours to the christians, easily learn to eat any thing, 
and even to drink wine, and that they are infidels. 
On the 14th, my guide at last resolved to take me to 
the mart we arrived early in the day. I went on board 
la Desiree, belonging to a merchant of St. Louis, and 
borrowed of his agent a piece of Guinea cloth, some 
sugar, tobacco, and a little paper; I then wrote to the 
governor to acquaint him with my situation, and to beg him 
to give orders for the delivery of some goods, of which I 
had urgent need. As it would have been too long to wait at 
the port for an answer, and the anxiety of the Moor, my 
I 2 
