and Gambia; and as the account is somewhat singular, I shall here abridge it for the reader’s information. The King of Foota Torra, inflamed with a zeal for propagating his religion, had sent an embassy to Darnel, similar to that which he had sent to Kasson, as related in page 79. The ambassador, on the present occasion, was accompanied by two o f the principal Bushreens, who carried each a large knife, fixed on the top of a long pole. As soon as he had procured admission into the presence of Darnel, and announced the pleasure of his sovereign, he ordered the Bashreens to present the emblems of his mission. The two knives were accordingly laid before Darnel, and the ambassador explained himself as follows: “ With this knife, (said he) Abdulkader will con- “ descend to shave the head of Darnel, if Darnel will embrace “ the Mahomedan faith; and with this other knife, Abdulkader “ will cut the throat of Darnel, if Darnel refuses to embrace “ i t :— take your choice.’’ Darnel coolly told the ambassador that he had no choice to make: he neither chose to have his head shaved, nor his throat cut ; and with this answer the ambassador was civilly dismissed. Abdulkader took his measures accordingly, and with a powerful army invaded Darnel’s country. Th'e inhabitants of the towns and villages filled up their wells, destroyed their provisions, carried off their effects* and abandoned their dwellings, as he approached. By this means he was led on from place to place, until he had advanced three days’ journey into the country of the Jaloffs. ‘He had, indeed, met with no opposition ; but his army had suffered so much from the scarcity of water, that several of his men had died by the way. This induced him to direct his march towards a watering place in the woods, where his men, having quenched their thirst, and being overcome with fatigue, lay down carelessly to sleep among the bushes. In this situation, they were attacked by Darnel before daybreak, and completely routed. Many of them were trampled to death as they lay asleep, by the Jaloff horses; others were killed in attempting to make their escape; and a still greater number were taken prisoners. Among the latter, was Abdulkader himself. This ambitious, or rather frantic prince, who, but a month before had sent the threatening message to Darnel, was now himself led into his presence as a miserable captive. The behaviour of Darnel, on this occasion, is never mentioned by the singing men, but in terms of the highest approbation ; and it was indeed, so extraordinary, in an African prince, that the- reader may find it difficult to give credit to the recital. When his royal prisoner was brought before him in irons, and thrown upon the ground, the magnanimous Darnel, instead of setting his. foot upon his neck, and stabbing him with his spear, according, to custom in such cases, addressed him as follows. “ Abdulka- “ der, answer me this question. If the chance of war had placed: << me jn your situation, and you in mine, how would you have “ treated me ?” “ I would have thrust my spear into your heart,"' returned Abdulkader with great firmness; “ and I know that a. « similar fate awaits me." “ Not so, (said Darnel) my spear is. “ indeed red with the blood of your subjects killed in battle, and “ I could now give it a deeper stain, by dipping it in your own “ but this would not build up my towns, nor bring, to life the.
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