Sentence:  The Negroes on the coast of Africa have a sign of value without money. It is a sign merely ideal, founded on the degree of esteem which they fix in their minds for all merchandise, in proportion to the need they have of it. A certain commodity or merchandise is worth three <WSD>macoutes</WSD>; another, six <WSD>macoutes</WSD>; another, ten <WSD>macoutes</WSD>; that is, as if they said simply three, six, and ten. The price is formed by a comparison of all merchandise with each other. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  An abstract measure of value, said to be used by various peoples of Africa.