114 
Travels in northern Africa. 
CHAP, III. 
not plentiful, and of a very inferior quality. They grow but little 
corn, and procure more from Morzouk in exchange for slaves, gold, 
or other merchandize. 
The Tuarick of the tribes frequenting Ghraat are insatiable 
and unwearied beggars, generally securing possession, and then 
begging the thing taken as a present. 
There is annually in the spring a great market, to which dealers 
from all the neighbouring countries resort in great numbers. 
The Ghadamsines bring swords, guns, powder, flints, lead and 
iron ware, also a few articles of clothing. The Soudan traders 
bring slaves, cotton cloths, skins, gold, civet, shears, daggers, water 
skins, Goroo nuts, &c. : the Fezzan merchants a mixed cargo 
of such goods as they procure from TripoU or Egypt. Slaves and 
camels, dates and corn, are always the principal articles of com- 
merce, and in great abundance. All traders have a tribute exacted 
from them by the Tuarick of the country. Clothing, some powder, 
or any small article, franks a Kaffle ; and if a single trader goes, the 
same is expected from him : friends only being allowed to pass 
free. This tribute is called " safety money," and once paid, the 
merchants are exempt from farther demand. The Mamlukes of 
Morzouk, or people sent by them, do not pay any thing, it being 
the interest of the Tuarick, who constantly come to the capital, to 
keep on terms with them. 
The manner of riding amongst these people is very singular. 
They have swift, tall camels, called Maherry (the Herie of travellers), 
with which they perform extraordinary journeys. The saddle is 
placed on the withers, and confined by a band under the belly. 
It is very small, and difficult to sit, which is done by balancing with 
the feet against the neck of the animal, and holding a tight rein 
to steady the head. They manage these creatures with great 
dexterity, fighting when mounted on them, and firing at marks 
