434 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. LI. 
habitants, as well as the chief Dokkenge himself, were 
pagans. 
In the centre of the country there were four petty 
kingdoms, all situated on the small branch of the 
Shari generally called Bachikam ; viz. that of Matiya, 
Mabberat, Marine, and finally that of Mere or Damre. 
Dokkenge, installing himself near the spot which was 
originally called Mas-ena, and. forming a small settle- 
ment, is said to have subdued these four petty kings 
by stratagem, and, having driven back the Bulala, to 
have formed in a short time a considerable dominion. 
He is reported to have reigned a long time, and to 
have been succeeded by his brother, of the name of 
Lubetko, to whom succeeded Delubirni, under whose 
dominion the kingdom of Bagirmi spread conside- 
rably. The eldest son of Delubirni was Malo, who 
ascended the throne, but was soon after engaged in a 
desperate struggle with a younger brother of his, 
named 'Abd- Allah, who, it is said, had been converted 
to Islamism, and thought himself in consequence 
better fitted to ascend the throne. After being de- 
feated by Delubirni on one occasion, e Abd- Allah is said 
to have vanquished his brother with the assistance of 
the pagan tribes, and to have slain him after a most 
sanguinary conflict in the midst of the town, which 
lasted for several days. 
Having thus ascended the throne, and consolidated 
his dominion by the blood of all his kinsfolk, 'Abd- 
Allah, the first Moslim prince of Bagirmi, is said to have 
contributed largely to the prosperity of his country, 
