of Edinburgh, Session 1884 - 85 . 243 
The Tors do not like to encounter their enemies if the latter are 
on a height above them. In such a case they do not stop to throw 
spears while advancing, but go rapidly forward and try to dislodge 
the hostile ranks from their position. One of their favourite means 
of warfare is to surprise their enemy by getting round them through 
a wood or a valley, or in some such way to take them unawares* 
When about a mile from the foe the army is often divided, the 
smaller portion making a direct advance, while the others form a 
circuit and take the enemy in the rear, the latter being meanwhile 
deceived by those who are attacking them from the front pretending 
to run away. The enemy is also very often attacked at night, the 
army advancing very quietly and throwing a spear with a light tied 
on to it so as to strike one of the enemy’s huts. Sometimes they 
approach the hostile camp just before dawn, and lie down under the 
seriba until the people begin to get up, when they rush in and easily 
gain a victory. At other times they fire the seriba at different 
points, and when the whole is ablaze and the enemy run out the 
latter are impeded by rows of spears firmly planted in the ground 
slanting towards the seriba. They are careful to prevent the enemy 
attacking their villages during their absence by means of scouts, who 
are very clever. In retreat they keep together, and halt at the sound 
of the drum. Alliances are frequently made with other tribes for 
mutual defensive purposes. The villages are all surrounded by a 
strong hedge composed of stakes and thorn bushes, 7 or 8 feet high 
and 12 broad, with flat tops. In the Gebel Marah district earth- 
works are also employed as a means of defence. If the Tors are 
being attacked by an enemy they often light fires in their village 
in order to deceive their foes, and then retire to a short distance, 
returning as soon as the enemy are well inside the village ; by this 
means they hem them in and prevent their escape. The wars in 
which the Fors engage are generally of short duration, one or two 
battles being usually sufficient to settle their disputes. Prisoners 
taken in war are sometimes kept for a long time ; they are chained 
and confined in strong huts and are compelled to work, but they may 
be ransomed or exchanged. Unless they misbehave themselves they 
are well treated, but any one trying to escape is killed. After 
conquering another tribe the Fors do not stay and govern the country, 
but after collecting together all that is movable they burn the 
