296 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP, VIII. 
from these kind-hearted people, who had, to the best of their 
abihties, often befriended us, and to whom we owed so many and 
weighty obhgations. The day was fine, our camels good, and we 
set out at a brisk pace. The Shreef Sadig, who had been encamped 
at a little distance from us, now became our messmate. His Kaffle 
consisted of four girls, three men, four camels, and three Arabs. 
Lizari and myself joined our stock, which Hahmata his Negress, who 
was an excellent cook, made into a nice mess for us every night. 
Had I trusted to Mukni's professions, I should have been in 
some danger of starving on ray road homeward. He told me re- 
peatedly not to think of preparing food for my journey, as he had 
commanded his slaves to make for me cusscussou, flour, and dried 
meat. He also assured me, that on the day of my departure, 1 
should receive from him an order on all the towns through which I 
should pass to supply myself and animals with dates, &c. ; but, after 
aU, no one part of these fine promises was fulfilled, which added 
one more proof to the many I had before received, of Mukni's 
falsehood and insincerity. 
Our road lay over a desert, without the least sign of a shrub, 
or any hving creature. A strong cold east wind blew with great 
force, as it met with no impediment, and quickly chopped our 
lips and skin. The Negroes wore their travelling dresses, which 
being new and clean, looked very neat. The girls have green 
or yellow caps, with a large flap on each side ; shirts of blue or 
white cotton, a petticoat or wrapper of the same, and a good warm 
jercad or barracan. It is to be observed, that masters do not at all 
times take equal care of their slaves ; but that fearing the bad 
effects of cold weather, the merchants are in winter more attentive 
to their comfort than at any other season ; and this for their own 
advantage, since it prevents the Negresses from becoming thin and 
consumptive (which want of clothing would otherwise subject them 
