CHAP. III. 
NOTICES OF THE IxNTERIOR. 
129 
river, which comes from the south-west, and runs to the north-east. 
It is deep, broad, and full of fish, which the natives dry in the sun, 
and keep in store for the rainy season ; it is called by the people of 
the country Yaoo, but by the Moorish traders. Nil. 
On Mukni's last excursion in that direction, he made an attack 
on the defenceless people of Kanem, Moslem as well as Kaffir : and 
having first burnt their town, pursued them to the banks of the 
river ; many were drowned in attempting to cross it ; others 
were taken out of the water ; and the women and children who 
had not the power of escaping, were caught on the banks ; the 
number of captives made on that day amounting to 1 800. The route 
of Mukni's army on its return, was over a wide sandy desert, without 
water for three days. During their journey a tremendous wind 
arose, which blew the sand about in all directions, and continued 
to rage in so furious a manner during two entire days, that Mukni 
and his people were totally at a loss in what direction to proceed. 
On the second evening, however, it was resolved that a number of 
the captives should be sent on under a small guard ; but many of 
these poor creatures expired by the way : the remaining few suc- 
ceeded in finding a watering place. Mukni himself remained until 
the third morning ; when the sand wind still continuing, and his 
impatience increasing in proportion to the delay, he gave an order 
that all the remaining slaves should be put to death. This cruel 
mandate was immediately executed in cold blood on three hundred 
defenceless beings, whose country he had first entered under the 
mask of friendship, pretending that he came only to wage war 
against some states which had injured them. This aggravated 
cruelty and treachery was therefore the more odious ; and his 
very name, in consequence, is never mentioned by the people of 
that country without curses on himself and ancestors, which even 
little children are taught to utter as soon as they can speak. This 
s 
