THE SOUDAN UNDER THE MOORS 313 Djouder now became the ruling power of the Soudan. The new Pasha Mansour died, poisoned, it is said, by Djouder's orders, when he was on the eve of a further expedition against Dandi. His successor, Mohammed Taba, also about to march into the eastern province, died, poisoned, again it is said by orders of Djouder.

The next general, Mostafa, died, strangled by orders of Djouder. There would be no interest in following further the details of the history of the Moorish conquest of the Soudan. It is enough to say that nominal Askias continued to succeed each other on the southeastern district, which for a long time kept the name of Dandi, while attempts to invade Haussaland by a more northern route were vigorously and successfully opposed by the independent Sultans of Kebbi. The domination of the Moors may therefore be said to have never spread more than nominally beyond the southeastern Bend of the River Niger. In the west the history of the Moorish dominions presents a record of ceaseless fighting, accompanied by the destruction of all that was civilised and admirable in the Soudan. Djouder, the best of the Pashas, who knew his own mind and could keep his rude soldiery in order, even though his methods were somewhat trenchant, returned to Morocco in 1599. He was a loyal soldier and servant of his sovereign. He was also an able administrator, and had he been properly supported he would have converted the Soudan into a rich dependency of Morocco. As it was, he was made the object during his stay in the Soudan of ceaseless cabals. In 1599 his counsels were, however, needed nearer to the throne. He was recalled with honour, and he returned no more to Timbuctoo.

After him Pasha succeeded Pasha, each to be the victim of military revolt and civil misrepresentation, while misrule prevailed in the Soudan until, in 161 2, the last Pasha appointed by Morocco was deposed by the troops, who put their general in his place. After 161 2 the army