The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-07-12

ne formed as to the real CONDITION or
,he numbers of its inhabitants. We
had been told that the sheikh's soldiers =
were a few ragged negroes armed with p
spears, who lived upon the plunder oil ii
the Black Kafir countries, by which e
he was surrounded, and which he was
enabled TO subdue by the assistance OF =
a few Arabs who were in his service
and, again, we had been assured that 3
his forces were not only numerousy but
to a certain degree we'll trained. The |
degree Of credit which might be at
,ached TO these reports was nearly bal
anced in the scales of probability; aud
we advance towards the town of kouka
in most interesting state of uncertain
ty;whether we should find its chief al
the head of thousands, or be received
by him under tree, surrounded oy a !
few naked slaves.
These doubts, however, were quick
" removed had ridden on short
distance 10 front of Boo-Khaloom, with
his train of. Arabs, all mounted, and
dressed out in their best apparel; and,
from the thickness Of the trees, soon
lost sight of them. Fancying that the
road could not be mistaken, | rode
still onwards, and, on approaching a.
spot less thickly planted, was not lit
tie surprised TO see in front of me
BODY ofseveral thousand cavalry drawn,
up in line, and extending right and LEFT
quite as far as could see; and, check
ing my horse, awaited the arrival OF
my party, under the shade of wide.
spreading acacia. The Bornou troops
remained quite steady, without noise or
confusion; and a few horsemen, who
were moving about in front giving di-
rections, were the only persons out OF
the ranks. On the Arats appearing in
sight, shout or yell was given by the
sheikh's people, which rent the air;
blast was blown from their rude in-
struments of music equally loud, and
they moved on to meet Boo-Khaloon
and his. Arabs. There was an appear
ance Of tact and management in their
movements which astoniShed me /;
three separate small bodies, from the
centre and each flank, kept charging
rapidly towards Us, to within few feet
of our horses heads, without checking
the speed Of their own until the mo-
ment of their halt, while the whole
body moved EDWARDS. These parties
were mounted on small, but very per-
feet horses, who stopped and wheeled
from utmost speed with great precision
and experiences, shaking their spears
over their heads, exclalming, +" Barca !!
barca! ALA hiakkum cha, ALA che
raya!''-Blessing! blessing! Sons of
your countryI Sons of your country =
and returning quickly TO the front OF
a.; body, in order TO repeat the charge.
!" nhe an " vas going on, they closed
rounded the little body Of RsST ss, @nu
so completely, as TO give the comPii'
ment of welcoming them very much
the appearance Of declaration of their
contempt for thir weakness. | am quite
sure this was premeditated sVo we're
all en- cloeel,. r-~ssru as 10 De nearl y
-s.aoInered, and in some danger from the
crowding Of the horses and clashing Of
the spears. Moving on was impossible !;
and we therefore came to full stop.
Our chiefwas much cnraged I, but it was
all to no purpose /; he was only answered
by shrieks of Welcome - and spears
most unpleasantIy ratified over our
heads, expressive of the same feeling.
This annoyance was not, however, of
long duration Barca Cana, the sheikh's
first general, a negro of noble aspect,
clothed 10 a figured silk tobe, and mount
ed on a beautiful Mandara horse, made
his appearance and, aftera little delay,
the rear was cleared of those who had
pressed in upon US, and we moved on,
although but very slowly, from the fire.
duent impeachment thrown 10 our way by
these wild equestrians,
'The sheikh's negroes, as they were called, |
meaning the black chiefs and favorites, all |
raised 10 that rank by some deed of bravery,
were habited in coats of mail composed of
iron chain, which covered them from the /
throat to the knees, dividing behind, and com.
ing on each side of the horse some of them |
had helmets, or rather skull-caps, of the same |
metal, with chin pieces, all sufficiently strong
to ward of the shock Of spear. Their hors-
es' heads were also defended by plates Of iron,
brass, and silver, just leaving sufficient room
for the eyes Of tn animal.
AT length, on arriving at the gate Of the |
town, ourselves, Boo-Khaloom, and about |
dozen of his followers, were alone allowed to
enter the gates and we proceeded along a
wide street completely lined with spearmen
on foot, with cavalry in front Of them, TO the
door Of the sheikh's residence. Here the
horsemen were formed up three deep, and we
came to stand some Of the chief attendants
came out, and after a great many HBarcas
Barca's :" retired, when others performed the
same ceremony. We were now again Left
sitting on our horses in the sun; Boo Khalooml
began to lose all patience, and swore by the
bashaw's head, that he would return TO the
tents IL he was not Immediately admitted q