RISE OF THE SONGHAY EMPIRE 167 the Timbuctoo Koi?" he contemptuously asked on one occasion of the puppet of his own creation. "What is the meaning of him ? What good is he to me ? " And he distributed among his followers the revenue which had been set aside for the Koi. The town was alreadyseething with discontent, and the Koi, now at the end of his endurance, sent secretly a messenger to Sonni Ali informing him of the condition of affairs, and promising to deliver the town into his hands if he would march against Timbuctoo. Timbuctoo is on the north side of the river. In marching across country from Gao, boats were needed to transport an army across the stream. These it would seem that the Timbuctoo Koi undertook to provide. Sonni Ali richly rewarded the messenger who brought him the welcome invitation, and marched upon the town. But for some reason the Timbuctoo Koi was unable, or at the last moment unwilling, to fulfil his promise of delivering Timbuctoo into Sonni Ali's hands. The boats were not ready, and the first approach from the south side of the river was unavailing. A second attack had ito be made from the direction of Haussaland, on the north bank of the river, where no crossing had to be effected and no boats were needed. By the time this could be done, the town had had full warning of Sonni Ali's approach. Opinion was much divided as to the gain likely to result from a change of rulers. Measures were apparently taken for defence, and there was a great exodus of the learned and cultivated towards the haven of Aiwalatin.

The Tuareg Chief Akil making, it is said, no attempt to defend himself, headed a caravan of a thousand camels with which went, besides much valuable property, the greater number of the jurisconsults of the university.

Eminent names are mentioned in the lists, and some who lived to return at a later period to Timbuctoo, and to lead lives of high distinction under the succeeding reign, took part in the exodus as children of only five and six years old. The craven Koi fled also to Aiwalatin.