168 COTTAGES WIFE AND HUSBAND. 
Bornou, a Shoua Arab, who repeated the fatah to 
us. It is reported that a great deal of the salt goes 
with En-Noor to Zinder, from which we are sepa- 
rated by two days' journey, one of villages and 
another of forest. 
9th. — The morning opened with wind, as usual, 
from the N.E. The weather was cooler than yes- 
terday. I visited a group of cottages, or rather 
huts, and received a present of a korna for holding 
water. The thatch of these primitive habitations 
was of bou rekaba stalks. The korna is allowed 
to twine itself over the roofs, as the woodbine over 
our cottages, and looks very pretty. This group of 
cottages was inhabited by a single family, — alas ! all 
slaves. 
According to Overweg, the reason En-Noor beat 
his wife in the terrible manner mentioned in this 
journal was, because she was accustomed to glide out 
of her chamber at night to witness the dances — the 
beastly dances of the north coast. I certainly was 
surprised to hear that she was present at these filthy 
exhibitions. "Have I not bought you?" his highness 
remonstrated with her. "Are you not my slave?" 
" No," she replied ; " I am your wife, not your slave." 
So the lady continued, till she aggravated his high- 
ness into a great fury. Many Europeans, it must 
be confessed, would beat their wives for a less cause. 
It is now said, his highness goes first to Tesaoua. 
We start all to-morrow, at any rate. The bells which 
cover the horses are without clappers, but being 
