Daisy, having consulted with his chief men about the best means of repelling so formidable an enemy, returned an answer of defiance, and made a Bushreen write in Arabic, upon a piece of thin board, à sort of proclamation, which was suspended to a tree in the public square ; and a number of aged men were sent to different places to explain it to the common people. This proclamation called upon all the friends of Daisy to join him immediately ; but to such as had no arms, or were afraid to enter into the war, permission was given to retire into any of the neighbouring kingdoms ; and it was added, that provided they observed a strict neutrality, they should always be welcome to return to their former habitations ; if, however, they took any active part against Kaarta, they had then “ broken thè key of their huts, and could never afterwards enter the door." Such was the expression. This proclamation was very generally applauded : but many of the Kaartans, and amongst others the powerful tribes o f Jower and Kakaroo, availing themselves of the indulgent clause, retired from Daisy’s dominions, and took refuge in Ludamar and Kas- son. By means of these desertions, Daisy’s army was not so numerous as might have been expected ; and when I was at- Kemmoo, the whole number of effective men, according to report, did not exceed four thousand ; but they were men of spirit and enterprize, and could be depended on. On the »2d of February (four days after my arrival at Jarra), Mansong, with his army, advanced towards KemmOO ; and Daisy, without hazarding a battle, retired to Joko, a town to the north-west of Kemmoo, where he remained three days, and then took refuge in a strong town called Gedingooma, situated in the hilly country, and surrounded with high walls of stone. When Daisy departed from Joko, his son srefused to follow him, alledging that“ the singing-men would publish their disgrace, as soon as it should be known that Daisy and his family had fled from Joko without firing a gun.” They were therefore left behind with a number of horsemen to defend Joko ; but, after many skirmishes, they were totally defeated, and one of Daisy’s sons taken prisoner ipMi remainder fled to Gedingooma, which Daisy had stored with provisions, and where he determined to make his final Stand. Mansong, finding that Daisy was determined to avoid a pitched battle, placed a strong foFee at Jefko to -watch his motions, and separating - the remainder o f his army into small detachments, ordered them to over-run the country, and seize upon the inhabitants, before they had time to-escape. These orders were executed with sUCh promptitude, that in a few days the whole kingdom of Kaarta became a scene o f desolation. Most of the poor inhabitants of the different towns and villages, being surprised in: the might, fell an easy prey ;■ and their corn, and every -'thing whi^i 'could be useful to Daisy, was burnt and destroyed. During these transactions, Daisy was employed in fortifying Gedingooma : this town is built in a ■narrow pass between two high hills, having only two gates, one towards Kaarta,; and- the other towards Jaffhoo ; the gate towards Kaarta, was defended by-Daisy in persoh ; and that towards Jaffhoo was committed to the charge of his sons. When the army of Bambarra approached the town, they made some P 2
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