WAR WITH THE JALOFFS. 
40S 
he had no choice to make. The king of Foota 
Torra, with a powerful army, immediately invad« 
ed the JalofFs, who at first retreated before him, 
after filHng up the wells, destroying their pro- 
visions, and carrying off their effects ; but soon 
after surprised him, at a watering-place, during 
the night, when many of his army were trampled 
to death by the Jaioff horses, many killed, and a 
still greater number taken prisoners, among whom 
was Abdulkader himself. When brought before 
the Damel, that prince thus addresed him : *' Ab- 
" dulkader, answer me this question ; — If the 
" chance of war had placed me in your situation, 
** and you in mine, how would you have treated 
" me " I would have thrust my spear into 
" your heart," said Abdulkader ; " and I know 
" that a similar fate awaits me." " Not so," re- 
plied the Damel, " my spear is indeed red with 
" the blood of your subjects, killed in battle, and 
" I could now give it a deeper stain, by dipping 
" it in your own ; but this would not build up 
" my towns, nor bring to life the thousands who 
" fell in the woods. I will not therefore kill you 
" in cold blood, but I will retain you as my slave, 
" until I perceive that your presence in your own 
" kingdom will be no longer dangerous to your 
" neighbours ; and then I will consider of the 
" proper way of disposing of you," The king of 
Foota Torra was accordingly retained, and labour- 
