MILITARY FORCE. 229 



heathen. It is, however, most probable that he 

 was alternately the one and the other, as he kept 

 mallams as well as Pagan priests in his service. 



The plain on which the races were held is co- 

 vered with a rich verdure, studded with clumps 

 of trees as far as the eye can reach. I thought 

 at one time that I saw the Shary in the south- 

 east quarter, but afterwards considered that it 

 must have been a mirage. This plain affords a 

 magnificent view from the walls of the town, and 

 as my bearers halted at the gate, when I was 

 going away, I could not help looking back, and 

 sighed on reflecting that there was little chance 

 I should ever be well enough to gallop over its 

 free and wide expanse. 



I imagine that the whole disposable force of 

 Fundah was collected on these occasions, and I 

 do not consider that there were more than three 

 hundred footmen armed with bows and arrows, 

 \n addition to the thirty horsemen before men- 

 tioned. The park of artillery consisted of three 

 serviceable and three unserviceable muskets ; and 

 as one individual alone was to be found bold 

 enough to fire off one of these, which he did from 

 the hip, it cannot be looked on as very formidable. 



While residing at Fundah, I was repeatedly 



