FROM FORT LAMY TO THE TOGBAU HILLS 177 



with the horsemen which he held in reserve. But before the 

 moment came for his great effort to be made, Rabeh was 

 wounded severely in the leg and forced to dismount from his 

 horse. His head mallam then approached and begged him 

 to lower his flag as it was attracting the fire. But he replied : 

 " My flag must still fly." Not long afterwards, the French 

 delivered the assault and successfully carried the stockade. 

 Then Major Lamy, keen to discover his great adversary and 

 make sure of his capture, immediately went round the 

 wounded that were lying on the ground, questioning each 

 in turn. " Are you Rabeh ? " At length he came to Rabeh 

 himself, who at the question sprang to his feet and answered 

 by burying his dagger in Lamy's heart. At the sa me moment 

 Rabeh was struck down, and the two great chiefs fell apart, 

 dead. 



So died in greatness Rabeh, the slave boy, who by his 

 genius for war had created a kingdom, and carried it 

 through a continent upon the points of his spears.* 



* The losses in the battle were severe on both sides. On Rabeh's, the killed 

 and wounded amounted to over 1000, and all his camp and guns were taken. 

 Besides Major Lamy, the French lost one officer and eighteen men killed, while 

 three officers and fifty-seven men were wounded. 



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