MR- LUCAS'S 
clofe as poffible to each other. Within this circle the Merchants 
and drivers and fervants fpread their mats and carpets. Here, 
alfo, they hght their fires and drefs their victuals ; and without 
any other covering than their alhaiques or blankets (for very few- 
are furniilied with a tent) lie down amidft the heavy dews and 
occafional ftorms of rain that fall upon the coaft, and fleep as foundly 
as in a bed : for the wetnefs of their cloaths, which is often the 
confequence of this expofure, is little regarded, and from the 
falubrity of the climate, is attended with little inconvenience. 
Mr. Lucas's tent being fpread, the two Shereefs, with three 
of their friends, took up their quarters with him: and on the firft 
appearance of fupper, Avhich was ferved in a large wooden difh, 
and confifted of dried meat, and of flour formed into balls, and 
drelTed in fteam, they all fat down with the familiarity of near 
relations, and dipping their right hands into the difh, without 
either fpoons or forks or knives, devoured, with a voracious and 
difgufting hafte, the whole that was fet before them. 
The concluiion of the meal was followed by the ceremony of 
walhing, which confifted in each man's dipping his right hand 
into the fame water which his companions had ufed. Coffee 
being then brought in, they lighted their pipes, and each of them 
having 
