The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-30

by about Is, 900 of Samory's warriors.
The attacking force was strong enough
in numbers to oannihilate the advancing
column, but the French had this great
advantage: Their guns could be used
effectively, nearly twice the distance at
which the arms in the hands of the enemy
were serviceable. They had besides
Maxim guns, cannon and other improved
yeapons which made them more than
equal to almost any native force that
could be brought against them.
In the first fight the forces of samory
were completely defeated and fed from
the field. leaving many dead behind and
sixty of the guns they had bought of the
English in Sierra Leone. The little
European contingent came out of the
fight almost without a scratch. They
then advanced on their way to the capi-
tai. In front of Bissandugu Samory had
marshalled bis force for a desperate
struggle. The fight was hard one.
samory lost 15okilled and 800 wounded.
The French loss was ten killed and fifty
three wounded. Bissandugu fell into the
hands of the French, who entered in on
January ~, while the vauquished sa-
mory, deserted by his own friends, fled
toward the south.
The story of Samory is a remarkable
one. When little boy he was given as
a ransom to the Marabout Sorry 1drahlna
for woman who had been made captive
by that chief. The boy early showed
that he had remarkable abilities. His
intelligence, courage, and talent for in
trigue made him, while still very young
man. the chief adviser of the Marabout.
But samory saw before him a greater
future than any his master could give
him. At that time the power Of the
great Mahmadou, Who had consolidated
many CT the little States of West Africa
into a powerful empire, had fallen to
pieces after his death. Samory looked
about him for an alliance among the re.
yivifed States which was worthy of his
abilities and would give him chance to
carry cut his ambitious projects. He
suddenly deserted his master and offered
his services to Bitiki, the King OF
his life, for if he showed any signs OF
fear it was probable that every member
Of the embassy would be slaughtered.
The next morning be went to the
palace gates with his entire embassy and
guard, and demanded IN audience with
the Emir. The party were finally ad-
mitted, and with the French flag flying
at their head, they marched into the
presence of Samory as he sat surrounded
by his officers of state, the women of his
| household, and 200 of his guard. Ther
the Captain spoke through his inter
prefer:
"Almany Emir samory, Captain o!
the French Army, speaks to you in the
name of France: which he was sent here
to represent. He will read to you now
the treaty which the ruler of the French
commanded him to have you sign. You
will hear all the articles. Then you Can
reflect on them; but if, as yesterday,V you
address to the representative OF France
insulting language, he will destroy the
token of friendship which he was told to
give you, and will tear in pieces the FLAG
now behind him, which is the insignia OF
his mission, and will throw the debris at
your feet. There will then be war be-
tween the French and you, war with
Corc>x, who was glad to have the young