THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. \j 



being known to the Moors that this was the king, they 

 withdrew their army with all poflible fpeed, carrying with 

 them a very confiderable booty. 



The fuccefs which had followed thefe night expeditions, 

 above all, the fmall lofs that had attended the purfuit, even 

 after they were defeated, from the perfect knowledge they 

 had of the country, infpired them with a refolution to avoid 

 pitched battles, but to diftrefs and harrafs the king's army 

 every night. They accordingly brought their camp nearer 

 than ufual to the king's quarters. This began to be felt by 

 the army, which was prevented from foraging at a great dis- 

 tance ; but provifions could not be difpenfed with. The king, 

 therefore, detached a large body of horfe and foot that had 

 not been engaged or fatigued. The greateil part of the foot 

 he ordered to return with the cattle they mould have taken, 

 but the horfe, with each a foot-foldier behind him, he direct- 

 ed to take poft in a wood near a pool of water, where theMoor- 

 ifh troops, after an alTault in the night, retired, and took re~ 

 frefhments and fleep by the time the fun began to be hot. 

 The Moors again appeared in the night, attacked the camp in 

 feveral places, and alarmed the whole army ; but, by the 

 bravery and vigour of the king, who every where animated 

 his troops by his own example, they were obliged to retreat 

 a little before morning, more fatigued, and more roughly 

 handled, than they had hitherto been in any fuch expedition. 



The king, as if equally tired, followed them no further 

 rhan the precincts of his camp ; and the Moors, fcarcely com- 

 forted by this forbearance after fo great a lofs, retreated to re- 

 ceive fuccour of freui troops as ufual, and enjoy their repofe in 

 the neighbourhood of made and water. They had, how- 



D 2 ever. 



