In Afric’s Forest and Jungle 
only can I account for his insane rashness on the 
battlefield soon after this event. The two armies 
were skirmishing very heavily when Areh with 
all his slaves charged suddenly right into the 
blazing muskets of Ogumulla’s centre. Un¬ 
suspicious of anything of the kind, I happened to 
be looking at him at the time. Then followed 
one of the most exciting events I ever witnessed 
on a battlefield. A simultaneous yell went up 
from both armies, there was a wild rush of 
thousands of men to that point and a desperate 
hand-to-hand conflict, while the muskets crashed 
all along the line. The enemy were driven back, 
and Areh was brought out apparently unhurt, 
but his beautiful Arabian war horse was covered 
with blood. I do not think he ever again ap¬ 
peared on the battlefield. 
Some months after this and after I had left for 
Abeokuta, he died either from the effects of 
wounds received on this occasion or from poison 
administered secretly by the orders of the 
Ogbonees. My interpreter told me that during 
the last week of his life Areh repeatedly sent for 
me and repeatedly enquired when 1 would return. 
What he wished, 1 could never learn, but I have 
sometimes thought it might have been a merciful 
providence that took me to Abeokuta before he 
192 
