442 
THE FRENCH SOUDAN. 
Other chiefs were coming in, and the sedentary populations of Timbuc- 
tou and the neighbourhood were resuming their normal life. 
It must be remembered that the basin of the Niger was formally one 
of the most populous countries in the world. It is only within the last 
65 years that the invasions of Mahomedan fanatics, and conquering 
Bambarras and Toucouleurs have devasted this once fruitful and happy 
country. 
Meantime Samory pursues yet his sanguinary career in the region 
drained by the Upper Cavally, which basin has just been recognised by 
Liberia as within the French sphere of operations. Captain Marchand 
has, quite recently (July 26th), arrived from this country, where he 
has been exploring the Bandama River, after finding Samory in pos¬ 
session of the Upper Cavally. There is more work yet to be done, 
more hard fighting to be gone through before Samory can be disposed 
of; and it is a thousand pities that the late Colonel Bonnier did not 
follow up his redoubtable adversary after defeating him near Tenetou, 
instead of leaving the pursuit to precipitate the advance on Timbuctou. 
