RECENT CAMPAIGNS IN WEST AFRICA. 768 from the Koto River ;the French might cross the bridgeof Kotopa nextmorning.

General Dodds had no ideaof treachery. He halted for the night, after sending back word that he would cross the river at Kotopa next day. Early on the 27th the French vanguard wasactually on the bridge when it was firedon fate of the campaign. There could be nomore talk of negotiations after the enemy's treachery. A sow days werespent erecting a fortified depot at Kotopa, and on November 2nd the march began again. The advance was made slowlyand steadily, the column cutting for itself a broad track through the bush. There was a gooddeal dahomeyan AMAZONS in battle— old style.

with rifles and camion from theenemy'strenches and the bush along the river. But Behanzin hadmiscalculated theeffect ofhis action. Instead of being panic stricken (as he thought they would be) by this sudden attack, the French were furious, they dashed at the trenches with the bay*onet, and after a fierce struggle carried everythingbefore them. The Dahomeyan army was soon a mob of fugitives. The loss of the victors was comparatively trifling.

The lines of Kotopa were the main defence of Behanzin's capital ;their capture decided the of skirmishing, but the enemy were giving way at everypoint. Cana, theking's summer residence, was occupied on the bth. Behanzin now tried again to treat for peace,but Dodds, halting at Cana,gave him only a few days to make up his mind for unconditional surrender. At last. on November 15th, the French general marched on Abomey. As he approached the suburbs it was seen that the town was on fire in several places. Behanzin hadabandoned hiscapital and fled northwards,escorted only by 400 warriors, the remnant of his army. In a few weeks he