18 TIMBUCTOO.

master of the female slave generally endeavours to buy the male to whom she is attached.

SUCCESSION TO PROPERTY.

Upon the decease of a native, the first claim is that of his creditors; the next is that of his widow, who is entitled to the dower promised by her husband to her father, if not already paid, and to one-eighth of the remainder ; the rest is divided among the children. A sons share is double that of a daughter. If they agree, the land may be sold, if not, it must be divided as above. Of lands and houses, nothing is sold till the children arrive at the age of discretion ; when each is entitled to his share, the rest being unsold till the others are of age in turn.

This age is not fixed at so many years, but * Many conscientious Muhamedans, in purchasing slaves, calculate how many years' service their purchase money is equal to. Thus, if a man pays a servant twenty dollars a-year for wages, and he gives 100 dollars for a slave, he retains the slave five years, when, if his conduct has been approved, he often discharges him from servitude. The period for liberating slaves in this manner is however quite optional, and admits of great latitude ; neither is there any compulsion in the master. I have known instances of a slave being liberated after a few years of servitude ; and his master's confidence has been such that he has advanced him money to trade with, and has allowed him to cross the desert to Timbuctoo, waiting for the repayment of his money till his return. This is often the treatment of Muhamedans to slaves ! how different from that practised by the Planters in the West India Islands ! !

!

The husband always stipulates to pay the father of hi» wife a certain sum : this is the Muhamedan dower.