or YALOFFS, are an active, powerful, and warlike people, inhabiting great part of that tract of Africa which lies between the Senegal and the Mandingo states on the Gambia (See MANDINGOES in this Supplement). Their noses, says Mr. Park, are not so much depressed, nor their lips so protuberant, as those of the generality of Africans; and though their skin is of the deepest black, they are considered by the white traders as the most lightly Negroes in that part of the continent where they live. They are divided into several independent states or kingdoms, which are frequently at war with their neighbours, or with each other. In their manners, superstitions, and government, they have a greater resemblance to the Mandingoes than to any other nation; but excel them in the manufacture of cotton cloth, spinning the wool to a finer thread, weaving it in a broader loom, and dyeing it of a better colour. They make very good soap, by boiling ground nuts in water, and then adding a ley of wood ashes. They likewise manufacture excellent iron, which they carry to Bondou to barter for salt. Their language is said to be copious and significant, and is often learned by Europeans trading to Senegal. From the names of their numerals, as given by Mr. Park, it would appear that their numeration proceeds by fives, as ours does by tens.

Our author relates the event of a religious war, which, as it displays a generosity of character very uncommon among savages, will afford pleasure to the minds of many of our readers. Almami Abdulkader, sovereign of a Mahomedan kingdom called Foota Torra, sent to Damel, a king of the Jaloffs, an imperious message, commanding him and his subjects to embrace instantly the faith of the prophet. The ambassador having got admission to the presence of Damel, ordered some Bushreens (i.e., Mahomedan Negroes) who accompanied him, to present the emblems of his mission. Two knives were accordingly laid before the Jaloff prince, and the ambassador explained himself as follows:

"With this knife (said he) Abdulkader will descend to shave the head of Damel, if Damel will embrace the Mahomedan faith; and with this other knife Abdulkader will cut the throat of Damel, if Damel refuses to embrace it: Take your choice."—Damel coolly told the ambassador that he had no choice to make; he neither chose to have his head shaved, nor his throat cut. And with this answer the ambassador was civilly dismissed.

Abdulkader took his measures accordingly; and with a powerful army invaded Damel's country. The inhabitants of the towns and villages filled up their wells, destroyed their provisions, carried off their effects, and abandoned their dwellings, as he approached. By this means he was led on from place to place, until he had advanced three days' journey into the country of the Jaloffs. He had, indeed, met with no opposition; but his army had suffered too much from the scarcity of water, that several of his men died by the way. This induced him to direct his march towards a watering place in the woods, where his men, having quenched their thirst, and being overcome with fatigue, lay down carelessly to sleep among the bushes. In this situation they were attacked by Damel before daybreak, and completely routed. Many of them were trampled to death as they lay asleep by the Jaloffs' horses; others were killed in attempting to make their escape; and a still greater number were taken prisoners. Among the latter was Abdulkader himself. This ambitious, or rather frantic prince, who, but a month before, had sent the threatening message to Damel, was now himself led into his presence as a miserable captive. The behaviour of Damel, on this occasion, is never mentioned by the fingering men; but in terms of the highest approbation; and it was, indeed, so extraordinary in an African prince, that the reader may find it difficult to give credit to the recital. When his royal prisoner was brought before him in irons, and thrown upon the ground, the magnanimous Damel, instead of setting his foot upon his neck, and stabbing him with his spear, according to the custom in such cases, addressed him as follows: "Abdulkader, answer me this question. If the chance of war had placed me in your situation, and you in mine, how would you have treated me?" "I would have thrust my spear into your heart (returned Abdulkader with great firmness); and I know that a similar fate awaits me." "Not so (said Damel); my spear is indeed red with the blood of your subjects killed in battle, and I could now give it a deeper stain, by dipping it in your own; but this would not build up my towns, nor bring to life the thousands who fell in the woods. I will not therefore kill you in cold blood, but I will retain you as my slave, until I perceive that your presence in your own kingdom will be no longer dangerous to your neighbours; and then I will confer the proper way of disposing of you." Abdulkader was accordingly retained, and worked as a slave for three months; at the end of which period, Damel listened to the solicitations of the inhabitants of Foota Torra, and restored to them their king. Strange as this story may appear, Mr. Park has no doubt of the truth of it. It was told to him at Malacotta by the Negroes; it was afterwards related to him by the Europeans on the Gambia; by some of the French at Gorée; and confirmed by nine slaves, who were taken prisoners along with Abdulkader by the watering place in the woods, and carried in the same ship with him to the West Indies.—Such generosity as this reflects honour on human nature.