chap, v.] BRUTALITY TOWARDS THE WOMEN. 183 
cantered on to the advanced flag. It was curious to 
witness the motley assemblage in single file extending 
over about half a mile of ground -several of the 
people were mounted on donkeys; some on oxen : the 
most were on foot, including all the women to the 
number of about sixty, who were the slaves of the 
trader s people. These carried heavy loads; and many 
in addition to the burdens carried children strapped 
to their backs in leather slings. After four or five hours’ 
march during the intense heat many of the overloaded 
women showed symptoms of distress, and became foot¬ 
sore the grass having been recently burnt had left 
the sharp charred stumps, which were very trying to 
those whose sandals were not in the best condition. 
The women were forced along by their brutal owners 
with sharp blows of the coorbatch ; and one who was 
far advanced in pregnancy could at length go no 
farther. Upon this the savage to whom she belonged 
belaboured her with a large stick, and not succeeding 
in driving her before him, he knocked her down and 
jumped upon her. The woman’s feet were swollen 
and bleeding, but later in the day I again saw her 
hobbling along in the rear by the aid of a bamboo. 
The traders march in good form; one flag leads the 
party, guarded by eight or ten men, while a native 
carries a box of five hundred cartridges for their use 
