174 TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. CHAP. IV. 
" Here I am, well mounted, on a horse whose ears are like pens, 
who runs like an antelope, and knows none but his master. My 
new red cap becomes me well ; my sword is sharp, my pistols well 
cleaned, and my belt shines in the sun. As the heart of a pigeon 
beats when she finds she is robbed of her young, so will my love's 
heart beat when she sees me. She will not allow the dog to bark' 
and she will leave the tent as if in search of wood. Should her 
kinsmen see her with me, she shall not fall under their displeasure. 
I will lift her on my horse, and fly with her ; for my steed has ears 
like pens, he runs hke an antelope, and knows none but his master. 
My new tagaia becomes me well ; my sword is sharp, my pistols 
clean, and my belt shines in the sun." 
The natives have a variety of dances, of which two or three are 
pecuKar to the country. The parties assemble on the sands, in the 
dusk of the evening, when a number of young men and women 
range themselves side by side, and dance to the sound of drums, to 
which they keep very good time. The men have a rude kind of 
iron cymbal in each hand, which opens and shuts : this they beat 
in the manner of castanets ; both sexes singing at the same time 
in chorus. The movements consist in stepping forward, the whole 
line at once, at a particular turn of the tune, as if to catch some- 
thing with their two hands, which they hold out ; they balance 
themselves a short time on the advanced foot, and then step back, 
turning half round, first to one side and then the other. The 
whole line then moves slowly, in a circle, round the musicians who 
form the centre, and who all join in the dance. 
There is nothing improper or immodest in this exhibition ; but 
on the contrary, from its slowness and the regularity of its move- 
ments, it is extremely pleasing and elegant. Another dance is per- 
formed by women only, who form a circle round the drummers, and 
occasionally sing a hvely chorus ; one advances, and with her arms 
