122 SENOPALE — THE GUIDES SISTER AND NIECE. 
to be poisonous ; thus in the centre of Africa as in Europe, 
they can feed with impunity upon vegetables which are 
injurious to other animals. After traversing- these flats, which 
exhibit not the slightest trace of human industry, we arrived 
at Senopalé. Night having overtaken us in this village, I 
desired my Marabout to seek a lodging there. It had the 
appearance of being illuminated, because it is the custom in 
FoUtatoro to cook in the courts ; perhaps they design by 
means of this fire to drive away the wild beasts, which some- 
times prowl in the streets of the villages. 
My Marabout entered a large hut, and I saw to my 
extreme surprise two women throw themselves about his 
neck, and clasp him closely in their arms ; they were his 
sister and his niece. I also shared their caresses ; but it was 
not to those only that their kindness was limited. They took 
our guns, helped me off my horse, and unsaddled him, 
forgetting the prejudice, which in this country does not permit 
a woman to touch these two articles. Notwithstanding the 
time devoted by these females, to the pleasure of again 
seeing their kinsman, supper was soon prepared ; they set 
before vis milk and couscous ; they then lighted a large fire in 
the court, and made me a bed near it. Amonsr the rich it is 
customary to rise during the night to eat. About two o'clock 
in the morning, agreeably to this custom, they brought us 
couscous and meat. Instead of taking any repose, our two 
hostesses during the whole night ran about the village, to 
