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 son^s

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 liberat-

ing 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.