tion, saw the advantage of a powerful ally, such as the sultan of Man- dara, against the F elatahs, who were equally the dread of both these potentates; the vicinity of Mandara to the Kerdy nations, as well as the ease with which slaves are obtained from thence, was also another consideration. The tribes of Shouaas, bordering on the Mandara frontier to the north and north-east, had always been in the habit of sending marauding parties into that part of the country nearest to them, which the sultan had never been able to prevent; and the sheikh no sooner saw the necessity of bringing these dwellers in tents into subjection to the sultan of Bornou than he determined also on making a stipulation for the discontinuance of their inroads into the Mandara country, the peace of which they had so long disturbed. This treaty of alliance was confirmed by the sheikh’s receiving in marriage the daughter of the sultan of Mandara, and the marriage portion was to be the produce of an immediate expedition into the Kerdy country, called Musgow, to the south-east of Mandara, by the united forces of the sheikh and the sultan. The results were as favourable as the most savage confederacy could have anticipated—-three thousand unfortunate wretches were dragged from their native wilds and sold to perpetual slavery; while, probably, double that number were sacrificed to obtain them. These nuptials are said to have been celebrated with great rejoicing, and much barbarian splendour; the blood, however, which had been shed in the path to the altar, one would almost think, was sufficient to have extinguished the hymeneal torch, and annihilated the bearers. This treaty of alliance left the sultan of Mandara no other enemies than the Felatahs to contend w ith; and his power had increased too much for him to fear any offensive measures on their p a rt: on the contrary, he had been at the time of our expedition for some months seeking for an opportunity to commence hostilities himself*. The Mandara force consists principally of cavalry, which, as their horses are of a superior breed, have a very imposing appearance. Some of the Kerdy towns occasionally furnish a few bowmen ; but as their only object is plunder in the event of a victory, on the least appearance of a contrary result they quickly betake themselves to their mountain habitations. The principal Mandara towns are eight in number, and all stand in the valley : these, and the smaller ones by which they are surrounded, all profess Islamism. The Kerdies are far more numerous ; and their dwellings are seen every where in clusters on the sides, and even at the top, of the very hills which immediately overlook the Mandara capital. The fires which were visible in the different nests of these unfortunates threw a glare upon the bold peaks and bluff promontories of granite' rock by which they were surrounded, and produced a picturesque and somewhat awful appearance. The dread in which they hold the sultan has been considerably increased by his close alliance with the sheikh ; and the appearance of such a force as that which accompanied Barca Gana, bivouacked in thè valley, was a most appalling sight to those who occupied the overhanging heights : they were fully aware, that for one purpose alone would such a force visit their country ; and which of them were to be the victims, must have been the cause of most anxious inquietude and alarm to the whole. By the assistance of a good telescope, I could discover those who, from the terms on which they were with Mandara, had the greatest dread stealing off into the very heart of the mountains ; while others came towards Mora, bearing leopard skins, honey, and slaves, plundered from a neighbouring town, as peace-offerings ; also asses * A deputation o f twenty-seven from Musfeia and Zouay had but a short time before arrived at Mora, for the purpose o f arranging some detention o f property belonging to them, which had been seized by the Mandara people. They were admitted to a parley; but had no sooner quitted the presence o f the sultan, than the throats o f all o f them were instantly cut by the eunuchs and their slaves.
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