tribes in domestic wars Their large flocks of sheep and
goats supply them with outer raiment as well as food ; but
the blue shirts of Soudan, are almost universally worn by
them as under garments. D.
Note 45, p. 60.
These details of Adams’s amour with Aisha are the same
as he gave to me at Mogadore. Of the fact itself I can
entertain no doubt; from the following circumstances.
After the loss of the “ Charles” it had been my constant
practice, when traders went to the Desert, to commission
them to make inquiries respecting the remainder of
the crew, who were in the possession of the Arabs; and,
in particular, respecting those who had been reported to
me to be carried eastward. On the return of one of these
men from El Kabla, he told me that there was a Christian
slave at that place, in possession of an Arab, who would
doubtless be very glad to dispose of him, in consequence
of the slave having been detected in an affair with his
wife. He then briefly related to me the same story, in
substance, as I afterwards heard from Adams.
I also heard of it from a trader from Wed-Noon, who
told me of Adams being there, some time before I
effected his ransom : I was informed at the same time,
that this trait of his character and history was much
talked of at Wed-Noon. D.
Note 46, p. 61.
Villa de Bousbach should be Woled Aboussebah; Woled
signifying sons or children, and being commonly applied to
all the tribes of Arabs.
The Woled Aboussebah is a considerable tribe of Arabs
distinct from the Woled D’leim, inhabiting large tracts of
the northern and western parts of the Desert. They report
themselves to be descendants from the line of sheriffes, or
race of the Prophet. Their country is described as a
Desert interspersed with spots of fertile land, where they
fix their douars, and pasture their flocks of goats, sheep,
and camels. Their diet is occasionally the flesh of their
flocks, but chiefly the milk of the niag, or female camel.
They trade with their northern neighbours for dates and
tobacco; being immoderately fond of the latter for their
own consumption in snuff and smoking, and employing it
also in their trade with Soudan for slaves and blue
cottons.
As this tribe is reported to reach quite down to the sea
coast, and to be spread over a very extensive tract of
country, there are various branches of it, who consider
ilia
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