THE TUAREGS 223 The Tuaregs themselves tell the following legend— they have one for every occasion — to explain this peculiarity of their costume.

" In olden times women used to keep their faces veiled as do the Mahommedans, whilst men left their faces uncovered ; but one day the enemy surprised a camp of our ancestors. The attack was so sudden and so utterly unexpected that the Tuaregs were seized with panic and fled, leaving behind them their families and their property. They flung down their arms, making no efllbrt to defend themselves, but trusting for escape entirely to the fleetness of their legs.