140 VOYAGE TO SENEGAL, 
continual alarm at being surprised and punished by tliose whom 
they have pkrndered ; they are therefore always on the alertj and 
continually changing their encampments ; in consequence of 
w^iich they have their tents more convenient and portable, while 
themselves are lightly armed and clothed^ in order that they may 
carry off booty with greater swiftness. It is, however, the Ne- 
groes only whom they plunder ; for an instance seldom occurs of 
other Moors bemg the objects of their outrage. They make 
frequent excursions on the other side of the river, and carry off 
whatever they find, whether men, women, cattle, provisions, 
or poultry, so that they are the greatest plague with which the 
Negroes are afflicted. 
The Moors in general like long journies. 1 have observed 
that those of the desert do not go to Mecca; but the reason is^ 
that this pilgrimage would be too long and unprofitable: they, 
hov^ ever, frequently go to Galam and the more eastern king- 
doms ; or, in fact, to every part where they expect to find an ad- 
vantageous change. 
All the people of the interior want salt ; the Moors therefore 
bring it them, as well as the linen and iron-work which they re- 
ceive from the Europeans, and they get in exchange gold, ele- 
phants' teeth, civet, and slaves. They set off in. parties, like a 
caravan, and on their way they use the privilege which they have 
assumed of appropriating to ttremselves whatever thej caiî find, 
whether belonging to their enemies or friends ; who, however, 
cease to be the latter^ if they possess what suits the purpose of 
the banditti. Their journey has^ therefore, a double object, and 
they seldom fail to attain it. 
On returning from the interior they generally divide, and some 
of them go home, while others repair to the banks of the Se- 
negal, and several go even to Fez and Morocco. To these last- 
mentioned places they convey their gold, elephants' teeth, and 
.slaves in particular, as, from a religious principle, they are for- 
bidden to sell the children of Mahomet to infidels. This pre- 
cept, however, is not always scrupulously observed : tlie tribe 
of Azounas in particular despise it, and sell to us at Isle St, 
Louis a considerable number of slaves. 
There is certainly a communication between the Senegal and 
and Morocco. 1 knew several Moors who had performed this 
journey, and one of whom who came to reside at Isle at St. 
Louis, more than once offered to conduct to Morocco any white 
person with whom I might entrust him, and bring him back by 
the same route. This project would have been carried into exe- 
cution, had my affairs allowed me to reside longer on the island. 
I know that these journies are difficult ; but 1 think that their 
«langers are exaggerated. It is possible tp opeu routes in 
