19A 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. III. 
From Birnie to Baghermi is ten days to the borders, S.E. 
Looggan, a town of Bornou, is half way, or five days ; and the Tsad 
runs past it, across the road, in such a way, that those going to 
Baghermi must necessarily pass it. This river runs from S.W. 
to N.E. is of great breadtli, and is crossed by heavy goods being 
carried on rafts, floated on large gourds, which are impelled forward 
by swimmers, who hold or push with one hand whilst they strike 
with the other. Smaller rafts are used to carry four or five men, 
or some light goods ; these, according to my informants, are 
formed with cross spars and gourds. The men sit astride on this 
machine, having their legs in the water, and so propel themselves 
forward with their hands and feet. A lighter vehicle is used for 
one man, and is merely a spar on two flat govuxls, carried on by 
paddhng with the feet and a small oar. 
I learnt with astonishment, that though the river has many 
crocodiles, they never attack the legs of people passing in this 
manner. Whether the raft or the bright yellow of the gourds 
intimidates them I cannot tell, but so it is. 
The river, according to the natives, is said to run past Foor — 
(Dar fur of Brown), and thence to Egypt. Horses are swam 
over, being buoyed up with inflated water-skins slung round them ; 
and camels are conducted by men who hold them by their long 
