230 
A TROOP OF ENEMIES. 
body assured us that they had some force at hand ; 
but we boldly told them to go about their business, 
as we were resolved to defend ourselves to the last. 
Whilst we were parleying with them, a troop of 
about forty men, mounted on their fleet maharees, 
and equipped for war with spears, shields, and 
swords, came trotting rapidly over the hills, hal- 
looing with wild cries, and challenging our caravan 
to battle. When the first few moments of surprise 
had subsided, two-thirds of our caravan, armed with 
matchlocks, pistols, and swords, advanced in a body, 
and shouted out that they accepted the challenge. 
This bold movement staggered the assailants, who 
forthwith began to weaver and retire. They had 
evidently expected to overawe us by boasting. Our 
people, satisfied with the effect of their manoeuvre, 
retired slowly towards the encampment. Presently 
a small body of the enemy advanced as a deputa- 
tion, demanding to parley, and declaring that they 
did not come to fight against people of their own 
faith. The remainder pretended to march and coun- 
termarch along the hills on either hand, as if to hem 
us in completely, but kept at a respectful distance. 
They saw that we were too strong for them, but called 
out that they would go and fetch more people. 
The conferences were now fairly opened, and 
we found that the hostile troop was composed of a 
collection of all the Sheikhs of the neighbouring- 
districts, with their followers, and several regular 
baudits, countenanced by a Shereef Marabout. Our 
