INTERIOR OP AFRICA, I07 
refuge in a strong town called Gedingooma, situated in the hilly 
country, and surrounded with high walls of stone. When Daisy 
departed from Joko, his sons refused to follow him, alledging 
that " the singing-men would publish their disgrace, as soon as 
it should be known that Daisy and his family had fled from Joko 
without firing a gun." They were therefore left behind with 
a number of horsemen to defend Joko; but, after many skir- 
mishes, they were totally defeated, and one of Daisy's sons taken 
prisoner ; the remainder fled to Gedingooma, which Daisy had 
stored with provisions, and where he determined to make his 
final stand. 
Mansong, finding that Daisy was determined to avoid a 
pitched battle, placed a strong force at Joko to watch his mo- 
tions, and separating the remainder of his army into small 
detachments, ordered them to over-run the country, and seize 
upon the inhabitants, before they had time to escape. These 
orders were executed with such promptitude, that in a few 
days the whole kingdom of Kaarta became a scene of desola- 
tion. Most of the poor inhabitants of the different towns and 
villages, being surprised in the night, fell an easy prey ; and 
their corn, and every thing which could be useful to Daisy, was 
burnt and destroyed. During these transactions, Daisy was 
employed in fortifying Gedingooma : this town is built in a 
narrow pass between two high hills, having only two gates, one 
towards Kaarta, and the other towards Jaffnoo ; the gate 
towards Kaarta, was defended by Daisy in person ; and that to- 
wards Jaffnoo was committed to the charge of his sons. When 
the army of Bambarra approached the town, they made some 
P 3 
