13-THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER nephews of the petty chief. At one time our camp really presented a most imposing and picturesgue appearance.

I had had a cord stretched all round it, and this cord formed a kind of moral protection — for of course it could easily have been passed — against the curiosity of our visitors, whilst at the same time it prevented our coolies OUR BICYCLE SUZANNE AMONGST THE TUAREGS.

from mixing too freely and getting involved in quarrels with them.

Baudry mounted our bicycle Suzanne, and to the intense astonishment of the Tuaregs spun round the flat ground separating our camp from a low line of dunes. The iron horse, as she was dubbed, very soon became celebrated far and near, and crowds came daily to stare at her.

Our visitors were really many of them very fine-looking fellows in their long Tuareg bubus or mantles, with the red pocket on the breast. Their naturally picturesque