Ismailia

out this distance the greatest depth was about four feet, and the average was under three feet. At length the diahbeeah, which drew only two feet three inches, was fast aground! This wa

arate channels, all of which were too shallow for the passage of the diahbeeah, and two were even too shallow to admit the small boat. The boatmen jumped out, and we hauled

n, were now dry, and a forest was about a mile distant. Having left the boat and ascended a white ant-hill, about eight feet high

uish the sex at that distance. I was delighted with my prize; it was a female, weighing, I should estimate, about twenty stone, clean. The hide was a deep reddish yellow, with black shoulders and le

h I considered to be a new species, proved to

for the moment; but the happy excitement quickly passed away, and we returned to the diahbeeah quite di

re the channel No. 3, wh

other time. All my labour has been useless, but it would be utterly absurd to attempt a further advance. I have therefore determined to return at once to the Shillook country, and establish a station. Mr. Higginbotham and party will then unite with us, and I will collect the entire force from Khartoum, and start with the e

ive the sad order to turn back; at 3 p

elighted at the idea of a retreat which they imagined would take them to Khartoum, and terminate the expedition; thus I had little sympathy.-However, I determined to make arra

off three soldiers, thus reducing the

I would not permit the diahbeeah that had always led the advance to ac

in fell to-day;

ir architecture to a height far above the level of the highest floods. The earth used in their construction is the subsoil, brought up from a considerable depth, as the ant-hills are yellow, while the surface soil is black. The earth is first swallowed by the insect and thus it becomes mixed with some albuminous matter which converts it into a cement that resists the action of rain. These hills were generally about eight feet high in the swampy districts, but I have frequently seen them above ten feet. The antelopes make use of such ant-hills as watch towers, from which lofty position they can observe an enemy at a great distance. It is the custom of several varieties to place sentries while the herd is grazi

n the ground; this was trying work, on account of the sharp stumps of the burnt herbage which punished the hands and knees. The fine charcoal dust from the recent fire was also a trouble, as the wind blew it into the eyes. The watermark upon the an

erspiration and charcoal dust; but every now and then, as I carefully raised my head, I could distinguish the horns of th

a more perfect opportunity after a long stalk. Having waited in a position for a minute or two, to become cool and to clear my eyes, I aimed at his shoulder. Almost as I touched the trigger, the antelope sank suddenly upon its knees, in which position it remained for some seconds on the summit of the ant-hill, and then rolled down to the base, dead. I stepped the exact distance, 169 paces. I had fired rather high, as the bullet had broken the spine a little in front of the shoulder-blade. It was a very beautiful

tman, who had been watching the sport, immediately despatched a man for assistance to the diahbee

ut delay, and reached the fleet at midnight, at the junction of th

ng with great difficulty over t

of the steamers through. This accomplished, and having the stream in our favour, we passed along in

s friend was buried, and we had to bury him in the same ant-hill. The Egyptian troops are very unhealthy. When they first joined the expedition, they were an exceedingly powerful body of men, whose PHY

five-mile lake. We catch delicious fish daily with the casting-net; the best are the Nile perch, that runs from a pound to four or five pound

earing into the next lake. Another soldier died-making

ts of about two acres each have drifted asunder, and have floated to the end of the lake. It is thus impossible to predict what the future may effect. There can be no doubt that the whole of this country was at some former period a lake, which has gradually filled up with vegetation. The dry land, which is only exposed during the hot season, is the result

y clear, with the exception of two or three small obstructions. At 5.30 p.m. we reached the Bahr Giraffe, from w

re a few days ago we saw nothing but a boundless plain of marsh grass, without one drop of water visible. These sheets of water mark the course of a river, but each lake is separated by a dam of floating vegetation. The volume of water is very important, and a stream is running at the rate of three miles an hour. Nevertheless, although in open water, we now find ourselves prisoners in a species of lake, as we are completely shut in b

Many hippopotami are snorting

t is much obstructed by small islands, formed of rafts of vegetation that have grounded in their descent. I fear we may find the river choked in many places below stream. No dependence can ever be placed upon this accursed river. The fabulous Styx must be a sweet rippling brook, compared to this horrible creation.

ain of lakes at slightly-varying levels. The sudden breaking of one dam would thus cause an impetuous rush

that she should dip her ensign in case she met with an obstruction. Thank G

rted at

d for the White Nile. These people declared their intention of

principal Khartoum iv

ld position, close to our form

as the diahbeeah slowly descended the stream. There were great numbers of wild fowl; also hippopotami, and being provided with both shot guns and heavy rifles we made a very curious

g cargoes of slaves down to Khartoum, as he had done in previous years. He appeared to be very confident that because his employer, Kutchuk Ali, had been promoted to the rank of sandjak, with the command of a government expedition, no inquiry would be made concerning the acts of his people. No greater proof

scovered. The colonel, Raouf Bey, reported this morning that several officers and soldiers had actually purchased slaves to-day from Kutchuk Ali's station; thus, the Khedive's troops, who are employed

r the guard of a scoundrel with a loaded musket. I know that the station is full of slaves

to offer an example to the troops. I therefore condemned

uniform. The prisoner in irons was brought forward and mar

out, and the firing party advanced. He was a fine young man of about twenty years of age, a

rd features of the officers and men. The slave-trader's people had turned out in great numbers, dressed in their best clothes, to enjoy the fun of a military execution. The firing party was ready; the pris

ing of the locks, as the muskets were brought on full

e for his youth and ignorance that I determined to reduce the punishment to that of flogging, which I trusted would be a warning to him and all others. I assured him, and the troops generally, that although I should never flinch from administering severe punishment when necessary, I should be much happier in rewarding thos

of the best and most thoroughly trustworthy soldiers of my body-guard; and having at length been raised to the ra

cret that I HAD NEVER INTENDED TO SHOOT THE MAN. I had merely arranged an impress

e marsh regions, was united in one volume. We got up steam and started at 4.30 p.m., and the diahbeeah, towe

e forest on the west bank

These animals are very useful in preparing wood for the steamers' fires. They break down the green trees, which dry and become good fuel. Were it not for the elephants, we should only find dead wood, which is nearly al

left bank is about thirty-seven miles in length, but it is merely a few hundred yards in width, beyond which the country is prair

and halted eleven miles from the White Nile junction. During the voyage we

out and shot seven geese

Here we met four more vessels with a company of sold

eir little household goods, and children were following their parents, each with a basket on their heads containing either food or something too valuable to be left behind. I immediately went off in a rowing boat, and, after much difficulty, I succeeded in inducing some of the natives who could speak Arabic to stop and converse with me. They declared that the Turks had attacked them withou

about nine miles from

the river concealed the

orders to the chief engineer of the No. 10 steamer

of a mile before the sound of our paddles attracted their attention. The telescope now disclosed some of the mysteries of the expedition. I perceived a considerable excitement among the troops on shore. I made out one tent, and I distinguished men hurrying to and fro apparently busy and excited. During this time we were rapidly approaching, and as the distance lessened, I cou

governor of Fashoda. We had passed close to the three vessels, but no person was visib

the poop deck of my diahbeeah; this was always furn

of an advance at this season via the Bahr Giraffe, therefore I had found it necessary t

rregular cavalry, in addition to some companies of infantry. He replied that he had five compani

e dues were represented. This seemed to be a great puzzle to the mind of the governor, and after applying to my colonel, to whom he spoke in Turkish,

hich he annexed the natives' cattle. To this he replied by a distinct ne

his was a very excellent and trustworthy officer, and he immediately started upon an examination. In the mean while the Koordi gove

crowd of unfortunate captives emerged from below, where they had been concealed, and walked singly along the plank to the shore; being counted by the officer according to se

upied by a crowd of soldiers, mingled with many native allies, under the command of an extremely blackguard-looking savage, dressed in a long scarlet cloak made of woollen cloth. This was belted round his waist, to which was suspended a crooked

a mass of slaves, who were squatted upon the ground, and surrounded by dirty clothes, arranged like a fence, by the support of lances, pieces of s

ding very young infants, squatted among the mass, and all kept a profound silence, and regarded me with gre

scovered, 71 Those on shore gua

weeks before, had assured me that the slave trade was suppressed, as the traders dared not pass his station of Fashoda. The real fact was, that this excellent exa

port him to the Khedive, at the same time I

only held as hostages until the people should pay their taxes. At the same time he was obliged to confess that there was no established tax. I heard that he had received from one native ten cows for the ransom of his child, thus the stolen child was sold back to the father for ten cows! and this was the Soudan method

in my jurisdiction; but I was determined to interfere in behalf of the slaves, although I should not meddle with the general affairs of the country. I therefore told the Koordi that I had the list of the captives, and he must send for som

with a strong N.E. wind, and shortly afterwards we were delighted by the arrival of Mr. H

ptian Government by his act, and as I had received general instructions from the Khedive to suppress all slave-hunters, I could only regard him in that category, as I had actually found him in the act. I must, therefore,

that the Khedive had abolished slavery, therefore they were at liberty to return to their own homes. At first, they appeared astounded, and evidently could not realize the fact; but upon my asking them where their homes were, they pointed to the boun

l that denotes rejoicing. I watched them as they retreated over the plain to their deserted homes, and I took a coldly polite farewell of the Koordi. The looks of astonishment of the Koordi's troops as I passed throug

quarter, about twenty-five miles. From the Sobat, down stream, we steamed for forty minutes, arriving at a forest, on a high bank to the east, where some extraordi

, the position far above the level of high floods, and the fo

e palms and gigantic India rubber trees. This was formerly a large village, known as Hillet-el-dolape, but it has been entirely destroyed by the governor of Fashoda.

ut we had not travelled more than an hour and a half when the engine of the No. 10 steamer broke down. On examination

. I soon made friends with the natives, great numbers of whom congregated on the west b

r and entire fleet ar

a present from the chief. I freed the slave, and s

out the camp. I set several companies at work to

ring rain. No

iron sheets to form our magazines. Fortunately, I had a number of wall-plates, rafters, &c.,

l tusks, with a message that he wished to see me, but he was afraid to come. I accordingly sent t

lishmen all actively employed, while Raouf Bey and his officers, instead of attending to the pressin

irits. There is no doubt that for this service the blacks are very superior to the Egyptians: these are full of religious prejudi

Shillook king, accompanied by two of his wives, fou