124 
CATTLE ROBBERS. 
test^ entered into a negociation, and the king pardoned them 
once more. 
The tribe of the Oulad-Hamets is the most perfidious 
of all the Braknas ; they spare nothing, not even the people 
of their own tribe. When they meet travellers, they strip 
them if they can ; and if chance conducts a stranger to their 
camps, he never escapes till he is plundered of every thing 
he has vrith him; of course care is taken to keep out of their 
way. Their atrocious character causes them to be detested 
by all the other tribes, and they are never spoken of but 
with horror. 
The same day, word was brought that the Trarzas* had 
fallen upon the oxen in the woods, and were driving 
them off. Our people were greatly embarrassed, for there 
were very few men in the camp, most of them having left it 
at the approach of the Ramadan ; seven or eight only were 
at hand to pursue the robbers. I observed that they had no 
guns, but I was assured that the Trarza hassanes would make 
no use of theirs, and that the matter would be decided with 
sticks. During the absence of the men, the women collected 
in groups, and discussed the probable result of the affair ; 
there was much quarrelling amongst them, for some asserted 
that the Trarzas would carry off the oxen, and others main- 
tained, on the contrary, that they would be beaten, and that 
the marabouts would oblige them to relinquish their prize. 
Towards the end of the day, these disputes were decided by 
the return of the marabouts, who reported that the robbers 
had fled at their approach and abandoned their prey. 
At night, the new moon appeared ; it was that of the 
Ramadan ; and the fast was about to commence : long 
prayers were said, and a great quantity of sangleh was made. 
We supped later than usual, because we were to fast the next 
* A Moorish nation inhabiting the lower part of the river, westward 
of the country of the Braknas. 
