I come now to relate a great Misfortune which befel the _Dahomes_, some Months after they had taken the _French_ Fort. For the better understanding of it, the Reader is to know, that the King of _Dahomè_ having conquered several Countries within a few Years, and depopulated them; the King of _Weemey_’s Sons, with other Princes, (whose Fathers this Conqueror had taken in War, and beheaded) fled to a far Inland Potent Nation called the _J-oes_. The King of _Whidaw_ having, after _Ossue_’s Defeat, found means to send Messengers to the King of this Country, they, and the others that had fled to him for Protection, did at last, through their earnest Sollicitations, obtain an Army to march against the King of _Dahomè_, whom they all look’d upon as a most cruel Destroyer of Mankind. This Nation of _J-oe_ fight all on Horseback, and living a great way on the North towards _Nubia_, they can at no other time march to the Southward, but when the Season for Forage, and the dry Weather sets in. The King of _Dahomè_ had notice of their coming, a few days before they reached his Country; and he having formerly experienced how terrible such Numbers of Horse had been to his Army, which consists of none but foot Soldiers; he resolved to bury his Riches, burn his Towns, and then fly into the Woods and Thickets with his People; which is a common thing amongst the _Negroes_, for the weaker side to do, when at War; for they have no fortified Towns as in _Europe_: So they that are Masters of the Field command the Country far and near. The King of _Dahomè_ having thus in time provided for his Safety by Flight, the _J-oes_ were disappointed: But one _Appragah_ and his People, formerly subject to the King of _Whidaw_, but now under the Dominion of the _Dahomes_, did not escape so well. For not moving so soon by two days as they did, the _J-oes_ came up with him and his People, and took abundance of them, with all _Appragah_’s Riches; and he himself was hardly put to it to escape, with a few of his Servants. After this the _J-oes_ marched on in quest of the _Dahomes_, but finding they were got into the thick Woods and Bushes, they incamped near them; making frequent Assaults, and often taking some of the _Dahomes_ Prisoners. At last, they so distressed them, that for want of other Provision, they were obliged to eat many of their own Slaves. Yet the _Dahomes_ patiently endured these Calamities, knowing the _J-oes_ would be obliged to retire in a little time, on account of the rainy Season that was approaching, and for want of Forage: Accordingly they were obliged to retire soon after; and the _Dahomes_ then returned to their own Country, and rebuilt their Towns again.