On the 2d of the moon Shaban, shortly after the hour of afternoon
prayer, the signal was fired and the tents fell. We mounted our snorting
horses, now lusty from long repose, and commenced our march to traverse
the famous country of the Ethiopian shepherds, at present subject to the
Malek of Shendi. We arrived opposite Shendi, by easy marches, in eight
days, and encamped on the west side of the river, near a very large
village called "Shendi el Garb," i.e. Shendi on the west bank.

Our route from Berber led us through a country consisting of immense
plains of fertile soil, extending many miles from the river, and mostly
covered with herbage; mountains or hills were rarely visible.[42]

We passed many large villages, most of which stood far off from the
river, to be out of the reach of the inundation. The houses of these
villages, particularly as we approached Shendi, were generally built
with sloping roofs of thatched straw, which indicated that this is a
country visited by the rains. We hardly ever, during our march, came in
view of the river, except to encamp. We found it at this season narrow
and shallow, though its bed was frequently a mile and a half broad. At
every halt we made, the chiefs of the country came to salute the Pasha,
and seemed to be well disposed towards the army, whose conduct was very
exemplary.

On the 9th of the moon, I visited the town of Shendi el Garb, in the
rear of our camp. It is large and well built, in comparison with the
other villages I have seen on the Upper Nile. It contains about six
thousand inhabitants, and has three market places, where the people of
the country exchange dollars and durra for what they have need of. Our
piasters they disliked, being ignorant of their value, but sometimes
received them for fowls, vegetables, butter, and meat, and for durra,
but for wheat they demanded dollars.

On the 10th of the moon, I went to Shendi on the east bank, which is
the capital of the country. I traversed the town with some surprise; the
houses are low, but well built of clay. Large areas, walled in for the
reception of the merchandize brought by the caravans, are to be seen in
various parts of the town, which is large, containing probably five or
six thousand inhabitants; the streets are wide and airy, regular
market places are found there, where, beside meat, butter,[43] grain and
vegetables are also to be purchased, spices brought from Jidda, gum
arabic, beads, and other orname