292 TRAVELS IN THE 
circumstance arises probably from ihis; that their pitched 
battles are few; the weakest know their own situation, and 
seek safety in flight. When their country has been desolated, 
and their ruined towns and villages deserted by the enemy, 
such of the inhabitants as have escaped the sword, and the 
chain, generally return, though with cautious steps, to the 
place of their nativity ; for it seems to be the universal wish of 
mankind, to spend the evening of their days where they passed 
their infancy. The poor Negro feels this desire in its full force. 
To him, no water is sweet but what is drawn from his own 
well ; and no tree has so cool and pleasant a shade as the tabba 
tree* of his native village. When war compels him to abandon 
the delightful spot in which he first drew his breath, and seek 
for safety in some other kingdom, his time is spent in talking 
about the country of his ancestors; and no sooner is peace 
restored than he turns his back upon the land of strangers, 
rebuilds with haste his fallen walls, and exults to see the smoke 
ascend from his native village. 
The other species of African warfare, is distinguished by the 
appellation of tegria, " plundering or stealing." It arises from 
a sort of hereditary feud, which the inhabitants of one nation 
or district bear towards another. No immediate cause of 
hostility is assigned, or notice of attack given ; but the inha- 
bitants of each, watch every opportunity to plunder and distress 
the objects of their animosity by predatory excursions. These, 
are very common, particularly about the beginning of the dry 
* This is a large spreading tree (a species of sterculia) under which the Bentang 
is commonly placed. 
