Page:Small-boat sailing; an explanation of the management of small yachts, half-decked and open sailing-boats of various rigs; sailing on sea and on river; cruising, etc (IA smallboatsailing01knig).pdf/301

 from his name), who was a native of the Dongola province, and was able to direct the reis in the intricate navigation of the rock-encumbered rapids. On the evening of September 30th we embarked with our servants and an Egyptian soldier, whose duty it was to accompany the gayassa on her voyage, and prevent the lazy crew from lingering too long on the way.

It was an interesting journey, for we frequently landed on the river-bank, or on the green islands, and had an opportunity of observing the immediate results of the reoccupation of the province by the Egyptians. The people seemed contented, and showed complete confidence in the first Europeans they had seen for many years. They were evidently pleased to be rid of the Dervish yoke, and had already resumed the cultivation of the land; where-*ever the Dervishes had left any oxen to turn the water-wheels, we heard the droning of the sakiyehs as they raised the water from the river to irrigate the fields. Though we had a strong stream under us, the voyage from Dongola to Kosheh, a distance of about 200 miles, occupied nearly six days; and our soldiers told us that the boat on her last voyage had taken no less than fifteen days to sail up the river from Kosheh to Dongola. Our progress would have been even slower than it was had we not constantly stirred up the lazy reis, who was of the opinion that the proper way to take a boat down the river was to let her drift idly all day and tie her up to the bank