200 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. IV. 
" There is no God but God, Mohammed is his Prophet," we were 
enabled to overcome all doubts respecting our faith. 
In attending the Mosque we found that it was not necessary 
for us to use any prayers addressed to, or in praise of, Mohammed ; 
the three which are recited by day being in an under voice, and the 
morning and evening ones only being repeated aloud. These latter 
we easily avoided, and during the others we made use of what 
orisons we pleased, only taking particular care that our prostrations 
and outward observances should be at the proper times. The only 
prayer we ever recited audibly was the " Fatha," or first chapter of 
the Koran, the sentiments of which are really beautiful. 
I am confident that it would never be possible for any man to 
pass through Africa, unless in every respect he qualified himself to 
appear as a Mohammedan ; and, should I myself return to that 
country, I would not be accompanied by any one who would refuse 
to observe these precautions. It is possible, that as far as Fezzan, 
a traveller might, by great good chance, escape detection ; but the 
farther south he proceeded, the more bigoted would he find the 
people, and a cruel death would, in such case, inevitably terminate 
his journey. 
Though the Mohammedans profess and appear to be strict in 
obeying the ordinances of the Koran, they most grossly violate one 
of its principal laws relating to Unbelievers. It is expressly said, 
that Moslems may take or destroy all those who do not believe in 
Islamism ; but that they should first endeavour to instruct, and on 
their refusing to acknowledge the Koran, then make them slaves. 
The same law distinctly teaches that those who are already Moslems 
cannot be taken captive or sold. Nothing, however, is farther 
from the idea of a Mohammedan, than to instruct the Negroes ; 
for, instead of endeavouring to convert them to his faith, he appro- 
