12G 
THE FRENCH SOUDAN. 
taken shelter. Bilali and his few remaining faithful followers made 
their way back towards the north-west, where they were completely 
defeated, on the 5th February, in a fight at Nianforando near Eriman- 
kono. The old Bilali escaped falling into the hands of the French, 
and owed his safety to the speed of his horse. In his precipitate flight 
he had not time to saddle his animal, and in this pitiable state he 
reached the frontier and took refuge in the British territory of Sierra 
Leone. All his baggage, supplies, and 4000 prisoners fell into the 
hands of the French. Among his papers were found some of great 
importance, written both in Arabic and in English text } which will 
serve some day (says the chronicler) to explain fully the change of 
Samory's policy in his relations with France. 
On the 10th February, Captain BriqueloFs force arrived at Eriman- 
kono, a charming spot, where the establishment of a post was proceeded 
with, which, when completed, will stop any attempt of Samory to re- 
instal himself in this region. At the same time another post was 
constructed at Farannah, 40 kilometres to the east on the banks of the 
actual Niger itself. It was then learnt that the old Bilali had left the 
Sierra Leone territory, where he had obtained assistance and was again 
in the field with the band of Bakary-Toure which he had joined. 
The French operations re-commenced on the 1st March, when they 
attacked the enemy at Guerineba, where he sustained severe losses. 
The column next marched in a southerly direction towards Bambaya, 
where Bakary-Toure had taken refuge, which place was reached on the 
18th March, directly after the enemy had struck their camp. But the 
Sofas drive before them such numbers of the inhabitants that it is 
easy to follow in their track. The trodden down vegetation in their 
passage forms, in fact, a broad road more than 20 yards broad. By 
the 20th March the large village of Yale-Kaledou was occupied by the 
French, and a large accumulation of supplies and provisions of all 
kinds were found there. 
The French then experienced much difficulty in passing the Ouas- 
souko, a maiigot strongly entrenched, which the enemy defended for 
more than 30 minutes. This obstacle having been surmounted the 
pursuit of the Sofas was continued with vigour, their march being 
impeded by the numerous troops of slaves and cattle which they took 
with them. At last during one dark and rainy night the French sur¬ 
prised the African camp, which the Sofas at once abandoned with all 
their belongings, and where the French made 4500 prisoners (surely 
including the slaves?). After a little sharp fighting the Sofa bands 
retreated in disorder towards Bouille, pursued by the Spahis under 
Lieutenant Pouydebat, who utterly cut them up and dispersed them. 
These bands, like those of the Kissi, beaten everywhere, disheartened, 
and altogether demoralised, deserted the country in small detachments 
towards the north-west, by the Milo, where they only encountered 
fresh difficulties. 
Meantime Captain Dargeles, commanding the little column of the 
Kissi, was then operating in the vicinity where Captain Briquelot was 
cutting up the bands of the “ old ” Bilali. This column, composed of 
a section of the Foreign Legion, two companies of native tirailleurs, 
