fhould be ignorant of our force at the onfet y for at this moment we have not a fufficiency to offer them battle, though our ftrength is daily increafmg. I advife, that we fuffer them ta difembark at their cafe ; * for, as they have no horfes to advance into the country, they will remain where they land fufpicious of our intentions.] The town of Africa is not afraid of them, nor of their attacks, for it is tolerably ftrong, and well provided with every thing. The air is now warm, and will be hotter. They will be expofed to the heat of the fun. while we fhall be in the fhade. Their provifions will be deftroyed, without - hopes of having a fupply, if they make any long flay, and we fhall have abun-dance from our own country : we will frequently beat up their quarters ; and, fhould they be unfor-tunate in thefe fkirmifhes, they will be worn down. We muft avoid all general engagements, other-wife we cannot conquer them ; but we fhalf do it by this plan, and trufting to the climate, which is fo contrary to the nature of their conftitutions. [They will not have any reinforcements, and we fhall have many. * The extreme heat of the fun, and the fatigue they will undergo from being al-ways armed in fear of us, will very foon bring on diforders which will carry numbers to the grave, and thus fhall we be revenged without ftriking a blow.] Such is the plan I propofe ; and, if I knew of any better, I would lay it before you/ All thofe in the council who had been ufed to arms adopted the advice the old Saracen lord had given. • It was in confequence forbidden, under VOL. X. • O pain 198