He Was A Rigid Mohammedan, But Distinguished For
His Hospitality.
This town may be supposed, on a gross computation,
to contain two thousand inhabitants.
It is surrounded by a high
wall, in which are a number of port-holes, for musketry to fire
through, in case of an attack. Every man's possession is likewise
surrounded by a wall, the whole forming so many distinct citadels;
and amongst a people unacquainted with the use of artillery these
walls answer all the purposes of stronger fortifications. To the
westward of the town is a small river, on the banks of which the
natives raise great plenty of tobacco and onions.
The same evening Madiboo, the bushreen, who had accompanied me from
Pisania, went to pay a visit to his father and mother, who dwelt at
a neighbouring town called Dramanet. He was joined by my other
attendant, the blacksmith. As soon as it was dark I was invited to
see the sports of the inhabitants, it being their custom, on the
arrival of strangers, to welcome them by diversions of different
kinds. I found a great crowd surrounding a party who were dancing,
by the light of some large fires, to the music of four drums, which
were beat with great exactness and uniformity. The dances, however,
consisted more in wanton gestures than in muscular exertion or
graceful attitudes. The ladies vied with each other in displaying
the most voluptuous movements imaginable.
December 25. - About two o'clock in the morning a number of horsemen
came into the town, and, having awakened my landlord, talked to him
for some time in the Serawoolli tongue; after which they dismounted
and came to the bentang, on which I had made my bed.
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