152 denhaM and clapperton. 



were attended by a considerable body of Bomou and Man* 

 dara cavalry, whose brilliant armour, martial aspect, and 

 skilful horsemanship gave confidence to the European 

 officer, who had not yet seen them put to the proof. 



It was the third day when the expedition came in view of 

 theFellatatownof Dirkulla. The Arabs, supported by Barca 

 Gana and about a hundred spearmen, marched instantly to 

 the attack, and carried first that place, and then a smaller 

 town beyond it, killing all who had not time to escape. 

 The enemy, however, then intrenched themselves in a 

 third and stronger position, called Musfeia, enclosed by 

 high hills, and fortified in front by numerous swamps and 

 palisades. This was likewise attacked, and all its defences 

 forced. The guns of the Arabs spread terror, while Barca 

 Gana threw eight spears with his own hand, every one of 

 which took effect. It was thought, that had the two bodies 

 of cavalry made even a show of advancing, the victory would 

 have been at once decided ; but Major Denham was much 

 surprised to see those puissant warriors keeping carefully 

 under cover behind a hill on the opposite side of the stream, 

 where not an arrow could reach them. The Fellatas, see- 

 ing that their antagonists were only a handfial, rallied on 

 the tops of the hills, were joined by new troops, and turned 

 round. Their women behind, cheering them on, conti- 

 nually supplied fresh arrows, and rolled down fragments of 

 rock on the assailants. These arrows were fatal ; they 

 •were tipped with poison, and wherever they pierced the body 

 in a few hours became black, blood gushed from every 

 orifice, and the victim expired in agony. The condition of 

 the Arabs soon became alarming ; scarcely a man was left 

 unhurt, and their horses were dying under them. Boo 

 Khalloom and his charger were both wounded with poi- 

 soned arrow^s. As soon as the Fellatas saw the Arabs 

 waver, they dashed in with their horse ; at sight of which 

 all the heroic squadrons of Bornou and Mandara put spurs 

 to their steeds, the sultan at their head, and the whole be- 

 came one mass of confused and tumultuous flight. Major 

 Denham saw too late the peril into which he had wantonly 

 plunged. His horse, pierced to the shoulder-bone, could 

 scarcely support his weight ; but the cries of the pursuing 

 Fellatas still urged him forward. At last the animal fell 

 twice, and the second time threw him against a tree, then, 



