s. In this last rapid saw two boys sitting
on a raft made of cornstalks lashed together, and driving down the
current. They appeared to be much at their ease, and not at all alarmed
at the rapid, though the current frequently whirled their fragile raft
round and round as it rushed past us. Soon after passing this rapid the
sun set, and we put to shore to pass the night.

19th of Safa. About two hours after sunrise we left the shore with a
fair and fresh breeze. The river here is broad, and the country on both
banks fertile and peopled. After about an hour's sail we came up with
some beautiful islands, one of them very large and among the finest we
had seen. The islands above the Second Cataract are probably the most
beautiful spots watered by the Nile, which rarely over flows them. They
are the most populous and best cultivated parts of this country. Half
an hour after we came up with the large island, the wind became squally,
and the boat could not make safe progress. Our rais therefore put
to shore, as did those of five other boats in company with ours. We
remained here for the rest of the day.

20th of Safa. In the morning, left the laud with the wind almost ahead.
After sailing about three miles, the rais found it necessary to put to
shore, as the wind was strong and too much ahead. Stayed by the land
till nearly noon, when the wind appearing to me and others on board,
more favorable, we, after some hard words with the rais, persuaded him
to get under way, the wind being about the same as in the morning, and
very strong. In about an hour we arrived at a bend in the river, which
enabled us to bring the wind aft.

We proceeded with great rapidity, threading the rocks and shoals with
which the river here abounds, till we came in view of a rapid ahead.
We had been informed, two days ago, that there was a dangerous rapid
between us and Dongola, and we congratulated ourselves that the wind was
fair and strong to push us through it; we passed it happily, though
not without peril. We felicitated ourselves on having cleared the only
obstacle, as we supposed, between us and the place of our destination,
when we came in view of another, of a more formidable appearance than
any we had yet seen. The passage lay where the river rolled furiously
over rocks under water, and between shores there was no approaching, on
account of the shoals and rocks above and under water which lined them.
The strong wind forced our boat alongside