34 
ATTACK OF BANDITTI. 
minded him, we had heard them all on that very spot before *; 
and that as lingering there might possibly produce a new subject 
more agreeable to the relator than to the sufferer, it would be 
most prudent to push on, lest talking of the devil should prompt 
him to show his horns. When we arrived at our menzil, we found 
there had been grounds for more than panic-fears; and that the 
Bactiari were then hovering in formidable bands over almost 
every path in the neigbourhood. 
August 22d. — Notwithstanding all this danger walked abroad 
in the darkness, we did not venture under such heat as that 
of the day to recommence our journey, so could not leave 
Koomishah till six in the evening. After about an hour’s quiet 
jogging on, we were roused by the sudden appearance of a troop 
of Bactiari to the number of thirty or forty horsemen. They 
moved in a desultory way at a little distance on our flank, twice 
coming within pistol-shot, and twice falling back. We were a 
considerable body in ourselves, and having a good guard of 
musqueteers on foot, the troop seemed undecided about making 
an attack. Perceiving this hesitation, we continued our march 
with a steady pace, but keeping a sharp look out, both to the 
right and left. Our threatened assailants totally vanished for a 
time, and then made a third appearance, but not quite so near; 
however, the discharge of a shot or two at some of our mules in 
the rear, put their design out of doubt, and proclaimed the 
business begun, that was to bring them better acquainted with 
our property. The shots increased, and we had no alternative 
but to answer them in their own way; keeping them off by a 
brisk fire whenever they drew more in a line with our march. 
See Vol. i. p. 453. 
