214 A TROPICAL DEPENDENCY so brave should not be allowed to die." Other expeditions occupied the greater part of this reign. As a result of a successful campaign in Melle in 1559, Askia Daouad, like his father, married a daughter of the house of Melle.

Here is the description, given by the Tarikh, of her bridal train : ''He caused the princess to be conducted to Songhay in a sumptuous equipage. She was covered with jewels, surrounded by numerous slaves, both men and women, and provided with an abundant baggage train. All the utensils of the household were of gold — dishes, pitchers, pestle and mortar, everything." Under Askia Daouad the town of Timbuctoo was much embellished. The great mosque of Mansa Musa was restored and enlarged. Two other mosques were also rebuilt, and the restoration of the Sankore Mosque was begun. These works were all undertaken and carried out under the inspiration of a very public-spirited cadi, whose name, El-Aquib, deserves to be remembered as a representative of illustrious learning, fearless justice, and disinterested devotion to public duty. Askia Daouad himself contributed handsomely to the rebuilding of the great mosque.

The last military expedition of Askia Daouad's reign was a campaign conducted by his son, the Viceroy of the south-western province, against the Fulani of Masina. A lawless portion of the population of Masina had ventured to attack and pillage a royal boat laden with merchandise, which was on the way from Jenne. Such a thing, it is said, had never happened before under the dynasty of Songhay, and the indignant Viceroy resolved to make a terrible example of Masina. He ravaged the country with fire and sword, allowing his troops to massacre indiscriminately ; and in the general slaughter there perished, we are told, a great number of distinguished scholars and divines. The Sultan of Masina fled to a place of safety till the storm had passed, and then returned to his estates. Askia Daouad entirely disapproved of the policy and conduct of his