Page:History and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/5

5 When he returned from the fight, Daisy, with tears of gratitude, received him into his arms, and hailed him as a son. The Bambarrans retreated from Kemmoo, but in three days again appeared before the walls with, redoubled force. Mansong knew it would be madness to resist them now, and retreated to Joke, a town northwest of Kimmoo, whither he was followed by the King of Bambarra ; Mansong then with his small troops, took refuge in the strong town of Gedingooma, situated in a hilly country, surrounded with high walls of stone, and now acted on the defensive, harrassing the enemy by skirmishes, &c. while they laid siege to the town.

The King of Kaarta had a beautiful daughter, named Zaldwna ; the soul of Mansong, though fired with martial glory, could not resist those pleasing sensations her presence inspired : during the seige of Gedingooma, Mansong employed the hours in which his presence was not required in the discharge of those important duties which his situation as Commander in Chief required, in conversation with his beloved Zildwna. Her charms had entangled the heart of Mansong ; and she too felt an equal passion for the hero whose valour had saved her family from ruin.

The grateful King of Kaarta with pleasure beheld their mutual attachment ; he had already hailed Mansong as his son ; he sanctioned their loves, and promised to join their hands as soon as peace should again be restored to his country. But, alas ! such happiness was not Mansong’s lot, that ideal felicity was never realized.

Mansong now tired of this shilly-shally fighting issued with a large body of men from the town, gave battle to the Bambarrans, and defeated them with great loss. The King now sent to Daisy, to treat for peace and this worthy