TRAVELS IN BARBARY. 
began to manufacture brandy, which they sold to 
the Moors ; they even set up a table for cards, 
and another for dice 5 and, from the profit of these 
institutions, established a fund for the relief of 
their sick. At length, in 1 681, a body of Fathers 
Merce7iarians arrived from France, and obtained 
their ransoni. 
Some particulars are given of the modes in 
which the slaves attempted to escape. The re- 
gular mode was to bury them in a ditch, leaving 
only the head above ground, then covering it with 
weeds, and surrounding the place with ordure. 
This took place on the Friday afternoon, when 
the Moors were all engaged in prayer, and only 
one keeper left, whom the captives kept close en- 
gaged in conversation till the burial was effected. 
The fugitives then set out when it was dark, and 
had the advantage of travelling all night, till 
their flight was discovered. At one time they 
undermined their dungeon, and seventy-five made 
their escape at once ; but all, except twelve, were 
overtaken and brought back. 
Mouette, when in Barbary, heard of the trade 
to Sudan and Tomhoutou, exchanging salt for 
gold dust, which was called Tibir. He says that 
several Moors of Dras and Tafilet described it to 
him as carried on in the manner so often report- 
ed, by the parties laying down the commodities in 
each others absence, and departing without being 
