Chap. XLIII. 
a'dishe'n. 
183 
usual compliments, exclaiming " ngubberu dega 
maina, ngubberu dega mama," mama being the title 
of the governor of a province. 
Thus this petty pagan chief had become, in an 
official style, a kind of officer of Bornu, and in this 
manner was alone capable of preserving his unen- 
viable existence, at what sacrifices we shall soon 
see. The Musgu nation is situated so unfavoura- 
bly, surrounded by enemies on all sides, that, even 
if they were linked together by the strictest unity, 
they would scarcely be able to preserve their in- 
dependence. How, then, should they be able to 
withstand their enemies, separated as they are into 
numerous petty dominions, and having no further 
object than to enslave and pillage their neighbours 
and kinsmen? Nothing but the number of swampy 
watercourses which intersect the country in all di- 
rections, and during the greater part of the year 
render it impassable for hostile armies, while even 
during the remaining part the principal rivers afford 
natural lines of defence, behind which the inhabitants 
may seek refuge, can explain how the country is so 
well peopled as it is, although the intervening tracts 
have been already laid waste. 
Towards the north there are the Kamiri, powerful 
by their numerous cavalry and the advantage of 
firearms ; towards the west and south-west the rest- 
less Fiilbe continually advancing ; towards the north- 
east the people of Log6n, originally their near kins- 
men, but at present opposed to them by difference 
N 4 
