June 4.—We found to the south a very pretty lake, embosomed in a thick wood, and the town Bassecour, with from fifteen hundred to two thousand inhabitants; and, on crossing it, saw two other populous towns, called Caroom and Batily; and again, nearer the river, which was about four miles from Bassecour, several others. 1 did not return until after sunset, when the positions of the Eanemboo, who always are on duty on the side nearest the enemy, afforded some very picturesque groups. They have a regular chain of posts, or pickets, consisting of five or six men each, extending from the main body to some one of the tribes, who always act as an advance, about two miles in front, and cover the whole front of the army. They lie very snugly under the shelter of their shields, which protect them both from wind and rain, as well as the arrows of their foes. One or two of each party are always on the look out, and their peculiar watch-cry is passed from one sentry to the other, at every half hour or oftener, the whole night through. On the least disturbance taking place in the camp, or horses breaking loose, after a sudden storm, the whole body strike their shields, and set up a yell, to show that they are awake to the circumstance: this also is their tattoo, may be heard for miles, and answers the blowing of the sheikh’s horn for the last prayers at Ashea. June 5.—Many hundreds of the Munga people now came in, bowing to the ground, and throwing sand upon their heads, in token of submission. At night every thing was prepared for our marching to the capital, leaving the women, camels, and baggage, at this place; but the people sent word, that if the sheikh remained where he w'as, they would come to him, and surrender themselves. June 6. Several towns sent their chiefs, and submitted in this manner, bringing peace-offerings, on the sheikh’s swearing solemnly not to molest them farther; but Malem Fanaamy, a fighi of great talent, the cause of the rebellion of these people, refused to come, •because he feared to lose his head, and offering, at the same time, two thousand slaves, one thousand bullocks, and three hundred horses, to the sheikh, as the price for peace *. The offer was refused: the sheikh’s object being the subjection of this rebellious chief, and not his death or plunder. We had, the night before, attempted to send off two rockets, but which, to my great disappointment,- as well as the sheikh’s, had failed: they had been carelessly carried, and the composition had fallen out of them. This evening he sent “ to beg that I would try two more, and, please God, make them go better.” I replied, “ that I would do my best ;” and, most fortunately, they succeeded to my wish. They were, indeed, a beautiful sight, as the night was extremely dark, and created exceeding wonder. Some of the messengers, who had come from the towns to the west, fell on their faces, and began to pray most fearfully when the rockets burst in their descent. This evening, also, Malem Fanaamy had sent his son, a man of about thirty, handsomely attended, who also witnessed this wonderful exhibition. The following day, Malem Fanaamy himself made his appearance. : His people had become clamorous, and, having no alternative, he came superbly mounted on a white horse, with full one thousand followers, and, dismounting at the door of the sheikh’s tent, humbled himself to the dust, and would have poured sand on his head, but this was by the sheikh’s order prevented, and the fighi brought into his presence. As is the custom on these occasions, he came in poor habiliments, and with an uncovered head. The sheikh received * This fighi was a most extraordinary person, and his fame for knowledge and charm- writing was by some thought to exceed that o f the sheikh himself, o f whom he was jealous to a degree. H e had passed years amongst the Kerdies to the south, and knew “ — —----------- -— The dreadful art To taint with deadly drugs the barbed d a rt” He was now, however, about to be humbled.
27f 24
To see the actual publication please follow the link above