Page:History and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/3

3 The Moors were determined to resent this outrage, as they termed it, and sent back the javelin ; the aim was good, and Mansong fell to the ground, bathed in his blood. The inhabitants set up a loud scream, and the Moors drove off. Mansong was borne to his father's hovel upon the shoulders of his countrymen. When they had conveyed him to his hut, and laid him upon a mat, all the spectators joined in lamenting his fate, by screaming and howling in a most piteous manner. Onowauhee tore his hair in the bitterness of his grief; and casting himself on the cold body of his son, expired in sight of his bewildered spectators!

Mansong was not, however, deprived of life.—The javelin had pierced his breast, and a great effusion of blood sucseeded. This occasioned a fainting fit, from which be shortly recovered. The astonished people made frantic gestures in token of their joy, and, being of the Mahometan persuasion, exclaimed, " La ifla et ella Mahomet rasowl allabi."—" There is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet."

Our hero was soon perfectly recovered, and resolved to revenge the death of his father, whom he for a long time bewvailed in the bitterness of filial grief. He collected his countrymen, and exhorted them to rush upon the Moors and repair the losses they daily sustained ; but the people of Simbing could not be prevailed on.

The fiery soul of Mansong was not be defeated by a cool refusal. Another opportunity soon presented itself ; he then pictured to them the horrors and calamities they were daily exposed to, and again exhorted them to revenge. The youths now embraced the opportunity ; and Mansong led them to join the king of Kaarta, who was then waging war with the perfidious king of Bambarra who prompted by ambition, had availed himself of