82 
TUMULI OF ASHES. 
[chap. I. 
on a spot on tlie right bank, in clonds of smoke as a 
“ chasse des moustiques.” They make tumuli of dung, 
which are constantly on fire, fresh fuel being con¬ 
tinually added, to drive away the mosquitoes. Around 
these heaps the cattle crowd in hundreds, living with 
the natives in the smoke. By degrees the heaps of 
ashes become about eight feet high; they are then 
used as sleeping-places and watch-stations by the 
natives, who, rubbing themselves all over with the 
ashes, have a ghastly and devilish appearance that is 
indescribable. The country is covered with old tumuli 
formed in this manner. A camp may contain twenty 
or thirty such, in addition to fresh heaps that are 
constantly burning. Fires of cow-dung are also made 
on the levelled tops of the old heaps, and bundles of 
green canes, about sixteen feet high, are planted on 
the summit; these wave in the breeze like a plume 
of ostrich feathers, and give shade to the people during 
the heat of the day. 
Jan. 30 til .—Arrived at the “Shir” tribe. The 
men are, as usual in these countries, armed with 
well-made ebony clubs, two lances, a bow (always 
strung), and a bundle of arrows; their hands are 
completely full of weapons ; and they carry a neatly- 
made miniature stool slung upon their backs, in addi¬ 
tion to an immense pipe. Thus a man carries all 
