In the evening we refreshed our fancies by witnessing the kanga, or drums beating to the dances of the maidens of Zinder. It is always the same thing, two or three fellows thumping upon their drums, dancing round them occasionally themselves, and the maidens approaching these drummers with timid steps. To-night they had a sort of hopping-dance, on one leg, keeping time to the beating of the drums. These coy maidens soon approached, or rather ran at me, and touched me with the hand; this done, they claim the right of a present. It is considered a favour to be so distinguished. CHAPTER XIII. Brother of the Sultan--Trade of Zinder--Prices--The Sarkee drinks Rum--Five Cities--Houses of Zinder--Female Toilette--Another Tree of Death--Paganism--Severity of the Sultan--Lemons--Barth and Overweg--Fire--Brother of the Sarkee--Daura--Shonshona--Lousou--Slaves in Irons--Reported Razzia--Talk with the Shereef--Humble Manners--Applications for Medicines--Towns and Villages of Zinder--The great Drum--Dyers--Tuarick Visits--Rationale of Razzias--Slaves--"Like Prince like People"--French in Algiers--The Market--Old Slave--Infamous System--Plan of the great Razzia. _Jan. 20th._--I received visits as usual, and one from a younger brother of the Sultan, whom I treated with coffee; and I also gave him a cotton handkerchief and a ring, so that he went away highly satisfied. He had a numerous train, all of whom had a peep at the show and a bit of sugar. This brother of the Sultan is a pleasant-looking fellow, a very different character from the man in power. He asked for saffron to colour charms with; but I had none to give him.