JOURNEY FROM ASHAKA TO MAIFONI 229 



once more pursued him. When on his way to Ibi to seek 

 protection of the British, his brother Nyebe persuaded him 

 to stop at Gujba ; but when the French force, 230 strong, 



THE KING OF ASHAKA 



made a brilhant forced march and came suddenly upon them, 

 Nyebe entreated him to fly while there was still time. 

 But Faderellah scorned to run away and went out with his 

 2500 soldiers to meet the French in battle. By his side, 

 mounted on horseback and using a rifle, fought his heroic 

 sister, Howa, who, when Faderellah was killed, exhorted 

 Nyebe to continue the fight. But that chief was not so high- 

 couraged and, kneeling in surrender, called on his men to 

 throw down their arms. Faderellah's body was afterwards 

 found by the French, buried in the bed of a stream near 

 Mutwe. About 500 of his warriors were killed in this battle, 

 while the French lost only eight killed and wounded. 



Howa was wife of the son of the King of Sokoto, 



