While the conquest was going on, the towns that remained unconquered gained in point of local freedom.
There remained only some disturbed and unconquered tribes in the northern hills and on the western coast.
Gobir and Kebbi remained Unconquered, as did the pagan hill tribes.
An occasional victory was gained, and some border tribes were from time to time compelled to pay tribute; but the mass of the Saxons remained unconquered.
Above all, Napoleon Buonaparte was then in Egypt, dreaming of the conquests of Alexander; and no man knew in what direction he might turn his hitherto unconquered legions.