Page:History and adventures of that famous negro robber, 3 finger'd Jack.pdf/4

( 4 ) e moſt frivolous pretext to declare war again Daiſy, King of Kaarta.

By means of ſome deſertions Daiſy's army was not ſo numerous as he expected, and when encamped at Kammoo, the whole number of effective men did not exceed 4000; but being men of ſpirit and enterpriſe, could be depended on. Manſong with his ſmall troop from Simbing, had joined them and their appearance gave joy to Daiſy. Manſong had rained his heroes in the art of war had taught them evolutions which the King was unacquainted with and he embraced, with all the fervor of his heart ſo powerful, an ally. Manſong undertook the diſcipline of the men of Kaarta and he was unanimouſly choſen Commander in Chief.

Daiſy now defied the malice of the powerful King of Bambarra, placing confidence in the valour of thoſe few troops that were ſcarcely one-fourth the number of his foes, who now appeared before the town of Kemmoo. Manſong led his men to the field, but the Kaartans grew faint, when they ſaw the numbers they had to oppoſe; Manſong encouraged them by example, and the ſlaughter commenced! The Bambarrans were mown down like blades of graſs! but their numbers were great and as often as a chaſm was effected it was filled with freſh troops- They viſibly gained ground: and at length the men of Kaarta fled with great ſlaughter.

Manſong now, with a corps of reſerve ruſhed upon the foe, and bore down all before his conquering arm. This encouraged the troops ol Kaarta who appeared again in the field; aiding thoſe of Simbing, headed by the victorious Manſong who fough like a tiger; his valour inſpired his own men; ſtruck terror to the heart