262 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. VI. 
all in motion at once, while the poor Negroes, who occasioned the 
assemblage of so many strangers, sat naked and shivering in the 
sun, and were oiled all over to better their appearance. Some 
were paraded for sale, whilst others went about with broken pots 
to collect the blood of the numerous camels, which people were 
slaughtering, and which, on being baked over a fire, they eagerly 
swallowed. Such skeletons as were seen amongst them might really 
have moved the pity even of their owners. Slaves were selling as 
low as ever, and the market was full : a fine girl of thirteen years 
of age was worth about thirty-five dollars ; a boy of the same age 
about fifteen or twenty ; occasionally the price was greater for the 
females, if particularly handsome ; but boys seldom rose higher than 
the sum I have mentioned. 
None but the Eedouins appear to approve of these Ghrazzies ; 
their wandering manner of life, and total want of every social 
feeling, their having no lands to cultivate, or houses to take care of, 
may account for it. Those who have possessions are aware that 
these predatory excursions are the ruin of the country and of 
trade ; but their fear of JNIukni is even greater than their love of 
home, and they therefore must engage, however unwillingly, in this 
service. Every man who attends the Ghrazzies is obliged to furnish 
himself with arms and provisions, and he is at liberty to inake what 
plunder or captives he can, which, with the exception of one-fourth, 
is his own private property. A general attack, in which all are 
engaged, allows of no man appropriating to himself the slaves he 
takes, as all are carried to the standard, and thus divided ; the 
Sultan has one-fourth, every footman is entitled to one slave, and 
every horseman to two. Should the number of captives exceed 
that of the captors, a second sharing is made after each man lias 
received his first portion ; but shovdd the number of slaves not 
amount to that of the captors, they are divided, one between two 
