THE AUTHOR ASSUMES THE NEGRO DRESS. 173 
which were covered with their skins. Some conception may 
be formed of the dimensions and strength of these reptiles, 
when it is known that they devour men and beasts. Accus- 
tomed to dangers, we passed several hours in this meadow ; 
Boukari employed this interval in making me a complete 
dress after the fashion of the Negroes. For a long time I had 
felt the want of loose garments, which at the same time that 
they would defend me more from the heat of the day, would 
make me less an object of derision to the Negroes. When I 
had put on my new suit, Maka, with a cry of admiration, 
said to me: " Thou art now dressed as a man ought to be ; 
with thy European clothes thou resembledst a woman." I must 
confess that Maka s observation was just. The Arab dress is 
much more noble than ours, it above all sets off the Negro, 
whilst ours disfigures him. A Negro in a European dress is 
awkward, and looks like a clothed ape ; when covered with 
his tunic his appearance is dignified. A storm which threat- 
ened us hastened our departure : after passing the pond of 
Thiali, we arrived at a ravine called Tir, on account of the great 
number of wild beasts that frequent it. This place, hollowed 
out by the torrents, and shaded by lofty trees, affords a retreat 
to elephants and lions. 
We did not stop there long for fear of unpleasant 
rencounters. We reached Diemore before sun-set ; here the 
water assumes the colour of the bottom of the wells, so that 
the same evening I drank red and yellow water, to which 
