the river, takes
eight days of forced marches, but that by the desert, i.e. across the
peninsula formed by the course of the river between the country of the
Berbers and our last encampment, takes four days forced march.

The road from the place where we arrived at the river (in coming from
the desert) up the country of Berber, lies generally on the edge of the
desert, and outside of the fertile land lying between the river and
the desert; of consequence we were rarely led to its banks so as to
ascertain its course and appearance. But from several points where the
road approaches the river, I observed that it winded continually and
contained many beautiful islands, some of them, particularly that named
"Sibne," cultivated like gardens. I also observed that the river, at the
lower extremity of the country of the Berbers, is much interrupted by
rocks, and I have learned, since my arrival, that between the third
cataract and the camp, the water is so low at this season that the
Canja of the Pasha (probably the first boat that ever passed the third
cataract of the Nile) was obliged to be lifted three times over shallow
passages.

The natives of this country had never seen a sail boat before the
arrival of this Canja. They called it "a water mare" comparing it, by
this appellation, to the swiftest animal with which they are acquainted.
They ran in, crowds to the river's edge to see it mount the current
without the aid of oars.

On the 13th, I had a private audience of the Pasha in the evening.
His Excellence received me as usual, and on my informing him of the
circumstance which had prevented my accompanying his march from the
cataract, he assured me that he would give orders, that, for the future,
I should be furnished from the best of his own camels. I preferred to
his Excellence some requests, which he granted immediately, and on my
retiring, requested me to present myself to him frequently.

Previous to his march from the third cataract, there had arrived at
the camp ambassadors from Shendi, from Malek Shouus, the chief of the
fugitive Shageians, demanding terms of peace. The Pasha replied, that
"the only terms on which they could obtain peace with him, would be by
the surrender of their horses and arms, and returning to their country
to live tranquilly, and without disturbing their neighbors." The
ambassadors replied, that "they would not give up their horses and
arms." The Pasha then answered, that "then he would