NOMADIC TRIBES. 119 cattle, and, besides herds of kine, they possess a few horses and camels. The sheikhs are all wealthy, and carry on a considerable trade in cattle, butter, and slaves, the latter of which they steal from the bordering countries. They are a very warlike and depredatory race, and live in a continual state of warfare, not only with their neighbours, but even among themselves ; for if two Bakkara tribes meet, or are merely encamped near each other, there is sure to be bloodshed ; nor does the conflict terminate until the weaker tribe succumbs, or is driven awav. With the commencement of the hot season, they wander into distant regions, unkno\NTi to the governor of Kordofan, into which he dare not venture to penetrate to levy the taxes, as this measure would be attended with great danger to his troops. It is, indeed, impossible for the government to send a large force, as it would meet mth many obstacles, and a small detachment would not answer the purpose, for it might be easily intercepted, and totally cut up. Thus this people enjoy exemption from all contributions during the dry season. The government, however, suffers no loss thereby, for it knows full Mell that they will, in a short time, be forced to leave the safe districts bevond the boundaries of Kordofan, and thus return spontaneously into the hands of their oppressors.

There is, perhaps, no people who have so many and such dangerous enemies. All the negro tribes, without exception, persecute the Bakkara from one