254 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
Chap. XLV. 
and a considerable number of cattle ; and we were 
given to understand that this foray was executed 
with the consent of the chief himself, — to such de- 
grading means did this despicable chief resort in 
order to preserve his authority, however precarious it 
was. Of course he selects as a sacrifice such of his 
subjects as are not his zealous followers ; but it is 
almost incredible how such a government can exist, 
as his dominion scarcely extends over a tract of 
country more than fifteen miles in every direction. 
At any rate his subjects seem to be fully justified in 
taking care of themselves ; and they had succeeded, in 
the darkness, in getting back part of the spoil which 
had been taken from them. 
The vizier himself pretended to behave in a very 
gracious manner towards the submissive vassal, re- 
turning to him about 200 of the oldest and most 
decrepit women, who, he most probably thought, 
would succumb to the fatigues of the march, ob- 
serving, in a tone of friendly irony, that they were to 
cultivate the country, and that when he should return 
he would eat of the produce of their labour. On 
other occasions the vizier had expressed himself to 
me to the effect that he wished A'dishen strong and 
powerful in order that, as a faithful vassal, he might 
oppose the progress of the Fellata in these regions ; 
for in his heart he was the most inveterate enemy of 
that enterprising nation, and certainly he had ample 
reason to be so. It was on this occasion I heard that 
this renegade Miisgu chief had never been rebellious 
