444 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. LI. 
No doubt the central position of Bagirmi, as re- 
gards political independence, is not very favour- 
able ; but the country has the great advantage of 
being bordered on the west side by a mighty river, 
which, while it forms a natural barrier against 
the western neighbour, may serve at the same time 
as a safe retreat in case of an attack from the power- 
ful kingdom on the east side : and it has proved 
so repeatedly, for Bagirmi in many places extends 
westward beyond that river. This is the only ad- 
vantage which the country at present derives from 
the great bounty which nature has bestowed upon 
it *, viz. a river navigable during every season of the 
year, surrounding half the extent of the country, 
and sending through the middle of it a branch, the 
Bachikam, which is navigable during the greater part 
of the year, and might easily be made so all the year 
round. This branch, which approaches to within nine 
or ten miles of the capital, forms part of the southern 
provinces into an island. The great disadvantage 
of Bagirmi is, that there is no direct caravan-road to 
the northern coast, and that it is therefore dependent, 
for its supply of European and Arab manufactures, 
upon the limited importation by the circuitous road 
through Waday or Bornu ; consequently the price of 
the merchandise is greatly enhanced, while the road, 
in case of hostilities with these latter kingdoms, is 
entirely interrupted. 
* I must observe, however, that boats of the Kaleama, or islanders 
of the southern part of the Tsad, sometimes carry corn as far as 
Bugoman. 
