TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
191 
ject in view, than that of begging from Almamy ; 
amongst those are generally the priests and gri- 
ots, or goulas. 
When the king decides on sending a part on- 
ly of the army to plunder the frontier towns of 
some neighbouring state, a chief to command 
the party is selected from amongst his own rela- 
tives, or favourites, and few (if any) but the 
immediate followers of the king and the chief 
chosen to command, or rather conduct this 
party, accompany it. Their destination is 
known only to the king, his ministers, and the 
commander, who seldom imparts to any of his 
attendants until they are close to the scene 
of action. The general object of these detach- 
ments is, the attack of some small town or vil- 
lage, the inhabitants of which, together with 
their cattle, they carry off. Sometimes, how- 
ever, information of their coming reaches the 
village in sufficient time before them, to enable 
the women and children to retreat towards the 
interior of the country, taking with them the 
cattle, and leaving the men to oppose the ene- 
my, who not unfrequently come off with the loss 
of one or more of their party, and the failure of 
their attempt. 
Several of these parties were sent out during 
our stay in Bondoo, and with one or two excep- 
tions, came off victorious, if the word can be 
