12 HISTORY OF ACHMET MOCTAR AND SIDI ALL 
from Europeans, in order to gain partisans ; tlieir number 
soon became formidable, and by their means he possessed 
himself of the supreme power, to the prejudice of his 
nephew. 
In the mean time, Sidi Ali, well aware of his rights, 
only waited for an opportunity to assert them : he was nearly 
thirty years of age, and no such opportunity had yet 
occurred ; at last he resolved to reclaim the sovereignty. 
He went up the river to Galam in quest of assistance. The 
small number of warriors who had continued attached to him 
in adversity, was increased by some discontented princes : 
he formed a party. Achmet, who neglected no means of 
maintaining his usurped authority, had still more particularly 
won the favour of his tribe, by causing himself to be appointed 
a Marabout. Sidi Ali confiding in his courage, and in 
the justice of his cause, commenced hostilities. Some advan- 
tages gained in the first attacks augmented the number 
of his partisans, and increased his army to three hundred 
princes or warriors. With this handful of men, he repaired 
towards the sea coast, to place himself in a situation to 
resist the fury of Achmet Moctar, by whom he was pur- 
sued and closely pressed. Sidi Ali, posted in an advantageous 
place, formed a rampart for his troop with his camels. In- 
trenched behind these animals, his warriors fought with as 
much confidence as ours behind walls or parapets. 
Achmet, perceiving that it would be very difficult to 
