Chap. LXVI. 
LATEST EVENTS. 
435 
overbearing character of the former. In consequence 
of this continued collision, the Tawarek drove the 
Fiilbe completely out of the town, about the year 
1844, when a battle was fought on the banks of the 
river, in which a great number of the latter were 
either slain or drowned. But the victory of the 
Tawarek was of no avail, and only plunged the dis- 
tracted town into greater misery; for, owing to its 
peculiar situation on the border of a desert tract, Tim- 
buktu cannot rely upon its own resources, but must 
always be dependent upon those who rule the more 
fertile tracts higher up the river ; and the ruler of 
Masina had only to forbid the exportation of corn 
from his dominions to reduce the inhabitants of 
Timbuktu to the utmost distress. A compromise was 
therefore agreed to in the year 1846, through the me- 
diation of the Sheikh el Bakay, between the different 
parties, to the effect that Timbuktu should be depen- 
dent on the Fiilbe without being garrisoned by a mili- 
tary force, the tribute being collected by two kadhis, 
one Piillo, and the other Songhay, who should them- 
selves decide all cases of minor importance, the more 
important ones being referred to the capital. But, 
nevertheless, the government of the town, or rather 
the police, as far as it goes, is in the hands of one or 
two Songhay mayors, with the title of emir, but who 
have scarcely any effective power, placed as they are 
between the Fiilbe on the one side and the Tawarek 
on the other, and holding their ground against the 
former through the two kadhis, and against the 
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