BEGARMEE BERGOOb 
ed monarchs used to sit, and from that which ob- 
tains the preference, deduce an omen of his future 
character, which they suppose will resemble its 
former possessor. The present monarch of Dar- 
fur, ambitious, fond of martial reputation, and 
eager to possess the gold mines of Sennaar, appli- 
ed to the Mameluk Beys of Egypt to furnish him 
with a person acquainted with the construction 
of artillery ; and Achmet Aga, a Zanthiote, de- 
parted from Cairo for Darfur in November 1796, 
carrying with him about 50 artificers, and four 
pieces of brass cannon. The success of this em- 
bassy is unknown. The same monarch, soon 
after the commencement of his reign, sent an em- 
bassy to Constantinople, with a present of three 
select eunuchs, and three beautiful female slaves. 
The Ottoman Emperor, who had never before 
heard of the Sultan of Darfur, returned an orna-* 
mented sabre, a rich pelisse, and a diamond ring. 
Begarmee lies about twenty journeys to the vS. E. 
of Bornou, from which it is separated by several 
small deserts. The inhabitants of this extensive 
kingdom are rigid Mahometans. Though their 
complexion is black, their features are dissimilar 
to those of the negroes. Begarmee is fifteen days* 
journey in length, from N. to S. and twelve in 
breadth from E. to W. Its troops are numerous, 
and fight on horseback. 
Bergoo, which hes to the E* of Begarmee, and 
