145

CHAPTER VI.

UNCLE THOMAS CONTINUES HIS ACCOUNT OF THE TRAVELS OF DENHAM AND CLAPPERTON; THEIR VARIOUS ADVENTURES IN AFRICA, AND THEIR RETURN TO ENGLAND.

"THE Arabs who formed the escort which conducted our travellers across the desert," continued Uncle Thomas on the following evening, "now determined on a ghrazzie, or plundering expedition, into the mountains of Mandara, for the purpose of attacking a village of the Kerdies, or unbelievers, and carrying off to their own country the people as slaves. Bhoo Khaloom long resisted their importunities; but, at length, to prevent an open mutiny, he was forced to consent to lead them on this nefarious expedition; and although Major Denham was aware that it was an undertaking of both dif

L

ficulty and danger, he resolved to accompany it, that he might observe the military tactics of the Africans, and take advantage of so favourable an opportunity to penetrate into the country. "For a long time, however, the sheikh refused to give his consent to this arrangement. He was anxious, he told Major Denham, to comply with his request to be allowed to accompany the expedition, but that as he did not know how to ensure his safety in case of a repulse, he must refuse his sanction, as the bashaw would never forgive him, should any harm happen to his English friends. It was evident, however, from the tone of the conversation, that the sheikh had no wish to prevent Major Denham from proceeding: he therefore told him, with a smile, that if he intended to stop him he had better order the silsel, or irons which are put round the necks of refractory slaves, to be put on at once; for that he should certainly go, as he could not think of losing such an opportunity of seeing the country.

"About midnight, accordingly, of the day following that on which the preceding conversation took place, Major Denham set out to join the expedition which had left Kouka some days previously. He was accompanied by his own negro Barca, as well as one named Maramy, who had been appointed for this purpose by the sheikh. They overtook the Arabs a short distance beyond Angornou.

"The expedition now entered on a wooded country; the road through which consisted of several narrow paths, passable for only one horse at a time, and these greatly obstructed by branches of tulloh and other prickly trees, which hung over them. The party was, therefore, preceded by twelve pioneers, who cleared a way through the thick underwood, and with their forked poles kept back the branches, cheering their companions as they advanced with extempore songs, some of which, having reference to Major Denham's appearance among them, seemed to delight their chicf excessively,

and kept up the spirits of the whole party. One verse Major Denham has translated:

"Christian man he came,

Friend of us and sheikhobe,

White man, when he hear my song,

Fine new tobe give me!'

"The precise destination of the expedition was at this time unknown even to its leaders. When they arrived at Mora, the capital of the kingdom of Mandara, they had an interview with the sultan, an intelligent little man of about fifty years of age, with a beard dyed of a most beautiful sky-blue colour. From him they expected to obtain permission to attack some of the tribes of Kerdies, or unbelievers, as they were called by the Mussulmans; but after some days' delay, he excused himself, saying that the people around him were quite peaceable, and were becoming converts without force. He, however, pointed out to them the Fellatahs, whose kingdom lay at a short distance, and who, being a warlike and turbulent people, were

constantly making predatory incursions into his territories. These he proposed the expedition should attack. This arrangement was far from satisfactory to Bhoo Khaloom. The Fellatahs, besides being dangerous enemies to contend with, were all Mussulmans; and as it is forbidden for one follower of the prophet to hold another in slavery, even in the event of success, they only could secure such slaves as the Fellatahs possessed. There was, however, no alternative, and, joined by several hundred Mandara troops, the expedition again set forward.

60

'After a painful and fatiguing march of several days, they at length arrived at the object of their attack. This was a Fellatah town, named Dirkulla, which, offering no resistance, was quickly burnt, as well as another small town near it; and the few inhabitants which were found in them, chiefly children and aged persons unable to escape, were with savage cruelty put to death, or thrown into the flames.