TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 203 sheep, and goats, together with an abundant supply of corn for their horses, all which they secured within the half-ruined walls of a part of the town ; and, having repaired that part of them, and supposing that Almamy would never dare to face them, sat down to amuse themselves with their captive ladies, occasionally sending small parties in different directions through the country to collect cattle, corn, &c., and pick up all stragglers. In this state they thought of nothing but plunder, in their pursuit of which, and their wanton and barbarous cruelties to the poor defenceless inhabitants who came within their merciless grasp, they expended their small store of ammunition.

Modiba, whose avarice was as great as his cruelty, made many attempts to reduce Almamy's palace, but always failed, in consequence of an ill-judged, threat to all those he brought against it, that if any of them should lay hands on the smallest particle of the treasure he fancied it contained, he would take off their heads.

This, instead of urging his men to great exertions, had the very opposite effect and deterred them from exposing their lives for an object, the attainment of which could be of no advantage to a people who enter the field of war from no other motive than that of acquiring riches.

The consequence was, the chiefs gave it as their