Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 137.djvu/186

180 the two worst rushes in the cataract. While being hauled through the first of these my towing-line parted, the boat's head paid off, and away we went. Brought-to some distance down-stream, and at the second attempt got safely through. Dal is a most difficult cataract, but fair water is promised beyond.

22d Nov. – Still within the cataract – our third day; three intricate bits of tracking have detained us. Clear to-morrow.

23d Nov. – Reached Sacramatto (head of Dal) 10 A.M. to-day, and drew a further supply of fifteen days' rations. Exchanged boat 46 for No. 1, left here by Colonel Alleyne's party, and repaired my own boat, gaping badly at the stem. Only one voyageur per company is to go on: for my own I have secured an excellent man, Salomon Bijou. Under way again 3.30 P.M., with a fine breeze and open water. Each company now ordered to take its own course independently, and make all speed to Dongola. Camped for the night on a pretty green island about five miles south of Dal. Company in front have just lost a man overboard – poor Cornwell.

24th Nov. – A disappointing day. Left island early, and coming up with the company to which the drowned man belonged, was a member of the board on his effects. Wind very light, current strong, water shoal. Breeze sprang up at mid-day, and some sailing was done for about a mile, when stopped by shoal and difficult water. Tracked, and pitched camp at sundown. West bank all day; try east to-morrow.

25th Nov. – Another windless morning; heavy rowing with shoal water. After noon a breeze sprang up, and we sailed till 3 P.M., when one of the boats got fast on a rock: had to be lightened, and helped home.

26th Nov. – Under way 7 A.M. No wind, and some hard water in the Amara rapid at starting. 1.30 P.M. a light air; made Sakyst-el-Abd 4 P.M.; fine open reaches, and more cultivation on the banks. Made Say Island at sundown, and encamped among the palms. Natives say seven days to Dongola. Capital dates vary our "bully" beef and biscuit.

27th Nov., Say Island, Camp 2d. – A quiet and moonlit night after a hot toilsome day; one boat absent from my moorings. Breeze died with the dawn; out tracking-lines till mid-day, when fair wind and good sailing for an hour; then still again, and more tracking – heavy work and shoal water. Crossed to the island shore again at sundown, and encamped. Made about seven miles during the day. Sun very powerful, and the glare on water rather trying to the eyes.

The country has lost much of its sternness since leaving Dal; and natives with milk, dates, and more rarely eggs, assemble at our halts. To the black iron cliffs and boulders have succeeded mud-banks and palms: many seem worthy a painter. Pair of cotton gloves a good possession; flies settle, and persecute to sores the slightest scratch, and most of us suffer from bad hands in consequence.

29th Nov. – During the two past days I estimate our progress at twenty - six miles. A fine fair breeze throughout this morning, with goose-winged sails, enabled us to make good way, till, at a sudden bend to the eastward, near Soleb, this afternoon, the wind headed us, and our progress resumed its normal pace. Sundown found us encamped on the west bank.

30th Nov. – Under way, with a