149 
CHAP. XLIIL 
THE BOEDER-REGION OF THE SH^WA, 
At length, after a protracted stay, we Saturday 
left our encampment at Dikowa, though December 6th - 
still in complete uncertainty whether the expedition 
was directed against Mdndara or not ; for as yet the 
chief of that little country (which, through the ad- 
ventures of Major Denham, has obtained in Europe a 
greater share of attention than it really deserves), 
relying upon the natural strength of his mountains, 
had not yet made his submission. The rumours which 
we heard from thence were of the most contradictory 
nature ; and it seemed as if Abu Bakr, which is the 
name of the present chief, had made up his mind to a 
determined resistance, having retired into his moun- 
tain-fastnesses, to the great disappointment of the 
vizier, who repeatedly asked me and my companion, 
with great anxiety, what was to be done, and how 
it was possible for the cavalry to attack the enemy 
in his mountainous retreat : for, whatever military 
strength the Kamiri may still possess, it is almost 
solely to be looked for in their cavalry. The for- 
mer excellence of the Kanembu spearmen, resulting 
L 3 
