Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 137.djvu/188

182 opposite to avoid smallpox infection.

The river has much widened, and with current less strong, all we want is a fair wind to make good the long southerly run to Debbeh.

9th Dec. – Morning orders signalled across, "Proceed at once to Debbeh." Nasifu-l-Khair gone for fuel; boats got under way independently, and off before a fine breeze, freshening to strong, of which their lightened condition enabled us to take full advantage. By sundown we had made twenty-three miles without touching an oar, and encamped on a sandy island, memorable only as owning a pond and many wild duck which laughed at revolvers.

10th Dec. – Off at sunrise, the steamer in company, and not always with the best of the race. By noon, before a grand breeze, we had made Handak, and by night-fall had added another twenty-five miles to the distance from Dongola. Found good camping-ground on the east bank.

11th Dec. – Sailed 6.30 A.M. before the same good wind, and with fine reaches of water. By mid-day the boats had reached Old Dongola, situated on a curious promontory of red rock jutting from the east bank. The stream here runs fast. Made no halt. During the latter part of this day our course much impeded by sand-banks. No. 44 three times aground, and glad of a lift from the steamer at last to her moorings, within seven miles of Debbeh.

12th Dec., Debbeh. – Arrived 11 A.M., and found the two preceding companies under orders for Korti (some forty miles further up-stream) – applying also to us as soon as our stores are checked, and the board on damaged provisions held. Got some good bread and fresh meat from the Commissariat, also a supply of piastres, the want of which in small dealings with natives has been much felt.

13th Dec., Debbeh. – Remained encamped for the day. Stores checked. Cabin-biscuits have not stood well – many cases of them bad through wetting. In the afternoon I visited the field of the Mudir's July battle, traces of which were apparent.

14th Dec. – Drew fresh bread-ration, and sailed for Korti. From Debbeh dates the long easterly bend of the Nile, with consequent head-wind; and something of our original rate of progress is resumed. By sundown about twelve miles made good; camp on the right bank.

15th Dec. – No wind till 9 A.M., when a strong breeze sprang up suddenly; boats close-hauled, but mostly sailing well for two hours. Headed by the wind at noon; tracked, rowed, and tracked again against a strong stream, and by sundown had covered another twelve miles.

16th Dec. – Foul wind again; water very shoal approaching the island of Tani. At noon met the naval picket-boat, and learned that Korti was only eight miles ahead of us; yet sunset found us still short of the place. Just before making fast for the night, Lord Wolseley's dahabeeyeh, in tow of the Mudir's small steamer, came up with and passed us.

17th Dec., Korti. – The halt of last night left us only two miles from our destination, but almost at starting we found the boats involved in a very labyrinth of sand-banks, through or round which channels must be found. It was 11 A.M. before the first boat got in, and one o'clock when the last of our flotilla made fast under the steep bank and pleasant shade of Korti.