512 
REMOVALS OF THE BACHAPIN CAPITAL. 
This town had not occupied its present situation more than 
six years. Previously to that time, the chief-town of the Bacha- 
pins stood on the Kruman river, and then bore the same name as the 
river ; on which spot it had not existed for a longer period than four 
years, having been transplanted, in the year 1802, from the banks of 
the Mosh^wa (Moshowa), where it bore the more proper name of 
Litdkun* ; and this name, though with less propriety, has been trans- 
ferred to the present town, as being situated not far from its ancient 
site. At the time when it stood on the Moshowa, it contained more 
than twice as many inhabitants ; but the greater number had 
emigrated to a spot many days' journey farther north-eastward, with 
a Chief named Makrdkki, who separated from Mulihdban on account 
of a quarrel occasioned by the latter having taken away one of the 
other's wives : while Mulihaban, on the same occasion, removed with 
all his tribe, or rather adherents, to the Kruman. During my residence 
with MattwU he frequently assured me that it was his determination 
to remove, ultimately, to Nokdnmin (Nokanneen) the place of his 
birth, and the country where the Bachapins anciently resided : it was 
described as being situated several days' journey south-westward 
from the Kruman town. The first step of his removal, which he 
intended taking in the course of the following year, was to be once 
more to the banks of the Kruman ; so that the chief-town of the 
Bachapins would then no longer bear the name of Litakun. 
These facts show how far this people is to be considered as a 
wandering tribe, and in what degree it is entitled to be regarded as a 
settled nation : they seem to prove that the Bachapins stand just 
on the line which marks the division between an agricultural or 
stationary, and a nomadic, life. 
The present town occupies the greater part of a plain of about 
two miles in diameter, surrounded by hills or mountains of moderate 
elevation. The soil, as in most parts of these regions, is sandy and 
* See the meaning of this name explained at page 307. 
