A KORAN STOMACH. 
119 
prophet. I was in the highest esteem with all the Moors, 
and hoped that this esteem would enable me to put into 
execution a project which I had long ago formed, of visiting 
all the most interesting parts of the desert ; travelling as a 
merchant and pilgrim to Mecca, and there effecting my re- 
turn through Egypt into France. My proposition however, 
as will hereafter be seen, was but ill received. 
On the following days, I went to visit the marabouts of 
the camp; they all received me equally well. I will men- 
tion an anecdote which I think characteristic. One of them 
had killed an ox during my absence, and he knew that I had 
brought back some goods; he offered me a meal on condition 
of my giving him some tobacco ; I consented. He brought 
a little bit of meat on a board, and began eating it with 
me. While he was swallowing it as fast as he could, he 
preached to me about abstinence, and assured me that he 
who eats little is beloved by God, because he likes bet- 
ter to pray than to satisfy his hunger (which they call being 
koran-stomached) ; and that he who thinks only of satisfying 
his appetite is an infidel. He flattered me much and told me 
that I had a Koran stomach. I gave him to understand that 
his device was easily seen through, and told him that though 
I ate little it was because I had little to eat, and that I be- 
lieved other Musulmans were abstinent for the same reason. 
I pointed to an old man who was seated near us, and seemed 
half-famished ; Look at this good old man,"' said I, " he 
has eaten nothing to-day : I will answer for it, that if you will 
give him some sangleh, he will show no Koran stomach, but 
eat it up directly." The poor man replied: It is true 
that I have tastiid nothing since last night, when I had a 
little milk for my supper; and I shall bless him who gives 
me a good dinner to-day." I told my host that if he him- 
self made but one meal a day, it was for want of means, and 
not for the love of God ; and I added, that if he could meet 
with any body who would give him as much as he liked, he 
