THE MOORISH CONQUEST 299 ever, an army of 12,000 horse and 30,000 foot was put in motion.

On the 1 2th of April, 1591, the forces met at a place called Tenkoudibo, which I have not been able to identify, but which would appear by the context to be in the valley of the Niger, on the northern side of the river, perhaps something more than half-way between Timbuctoo and Kagho. The battle resulted in the absolute defeat of the Songhay army. The cavalry was routed, the chivalry of Songhay fled. But among the rank and file of the foot-soldiers a touching incident is reported. Seeing that the battle was lost, and being pledged by their oath as soldiers not to fly in case of defeat, the infantry, we are told, kept their oath by throwing their bucklers upon the ground and sitting upon them to await the onset of Djouder's troops, and were all massacred in that attitude. Askia Ishak fled with the rest of the army, sending word to the populations of Kagho and Timbuctoo to evacuate these towns, and to join him on the other side of the river in the province of Gurma. He himself, without passing through Kagho, fled to Korai Gurma. He camped there with the remnant of his army, surrounded by lamentations. Next day, "with cries and vociferations," the passage of the Niger was commenced in little boats.

The boats appear to have been insufficient. In the confusion which resulted great numbers perished, and wealth, ** of which God only knows the amount," was lost. Djouder marched on Kagho, but in that town there remained no one except a few aged persons, teachers, students, and merchants, who had not been able to leave in a hurry with the rest of the population.

A certain Khatib Mahmoud Darami, an old man held in high esteem amongst the people, received Djouder Pasha and his staff, and entertained them " with magnificent hospitality." He was treated by them in return with every consideration. He had long discussions with Djouder, and became the negotiator of the terms of