196 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XLIV. 
the enemy unawares ; but long before noon a halt was 
ordered in the midst of the forest — certainly against 
the inclination of the majority. There was a great 
deal of indecision ; and in truth there seemed to be 
many who wished rather that the enemy should have 
time to escape, than to incite him to make a desperate 
straggle for his safety. The neighbouring pond 
(where, on our arrival, a herdsman who had come to 
water his cattle had been slain), we were told, did 
not contain a sufficient supply of water for the wants 
of the whole army ; and when at lengt h we had fairly 
dismounted, the rank grass being burnt down in order 
to clear the ground, and the fire being fed by a strong 
wind, a terrible conflagration ensued, which threw us 
into the greatest confusion, and obliged us to seek our 
safety in a hasty retreat. Nevertheless, after a great 
deal of hesitation, it was at length determined to en- 
camp here. There was no scarcity of water — for the 
pond proved to be very spacious and of great depth ; 
but the grass having been burned, the whole ground 
was covered with a layer of hot ashes, which blackened 
everything. 
By and by the camels arrived, the encampment 
was formed, and every one had given himself up to 
repose of mind and body, when suddenly the alarm- 
drums were beaten, and everybody hastened to arms, 
and mounted his horse. It seemed incredible that an 
enemy whose movements were uncombined, and not 
directed by any good leaders, should attack such an 
army, of more than 10,000 cavalry, and a still greater 
