Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/99

 VILLAGES CROWN EVERY HEIGHT

mountaineers against the trained armies of the French, who under Macmahon in 1857 and under Lallemand in 1871 found them such worthy adversaries. Upon the eve of war the young men of all tribes were enrolled in a special corps called the "Immessebelen." These men were looked upon by their families as already dead, and funeral prayers were repeated over them when they marched out to battle. Their right to live could be redeemed only by a victorious return. Upon them were impressed the assurances of the Marabouts that heaven would be the reward of the slain, and that perpetual disgrace would overwhelm those who should outlive defeat. These very hills have witnessed such deeds of