Chap. LI. 1 ABD EL EATER'S POLICY. 
443 
an aunt of the sheikh 'Omar. The Bagirmi people 
at least assert that it is more on account of this 
relationship, than from fear, or a feeling of weakness, 
that their ruler has consented to a sort of tribute to 
be paid to Bornu, which consists of a hundred slaves 
annually. 
Having thus obtained peace with both his neigh- 
bours, 'Abd el Kader has employed his reign in 
strengthening himself on that side which alone re- 
mained open to him, viz. the south side, towards the 
pagan countries ; and he has successfully extended 
his dominion, remaining in the field personally for 
several months every year. He has thus subdued 
a great many pagan chiefs, on whom he levies a 
fixed tribute, — a thing said to have been unknown 
before his time. Of course this tribute consists al- 
most entirely in slaves, which the pagan chiefs in 
general can only procure by waging war with their 
neighbours, and slaves are therefore almost the 
only riches of the sultan ; but by this means he is 
able to procure what he is most in need of, namely 
horses and muskets, besides articles of luxury. 
It is only with a strong feeling of suppressed in • 
dignation that the people of Bagirmi bear the sort of 
dependence in which they are placed with regard to 
their neighbours on either side ; and there is no doubt 
that, if they are allowed to recruit their strength (al- 
though the tribute which they have to pay to Waylay 
bears heavily upon them), they will make use of the 
first opportunity that offers to throw off the yoke. 
