This marsh land varies in width. In some portions
of the river it appears to extend for about two miles
on either side; in other parts farther than the eye
can reach. In all cases the main country is a dead
fla t; now blazing and smoking beyond the limit of
marshes, as the natives have fired the dry grass in all
directions. Eeeds, similar in appearance to bamboos
but distinct from them, high water-grass, like sugar-
canes, excellent fodder for the cattle, and the everpresent
ambatch, cover the morasses. Innumerable
mosquitoes.
Jan. 12th.—-Fine breeze in the morning, but obliged
to wait for the “Clumsy/’ which arrived at 10 A.M. How
absurd are some descriptions of the White Nile, which
state that there is no current! At some parts, like .
that from just above the Sobat junction to Khartoum,
there is but little, but since we have left the Bahr el
Gazal the stream runs from one and three-quarters to
two and a half miles per hour, varying in localities.
Here it is not more than a hundred yards wide in
clear water.
At 11.20 a.m. got under weigh with a rattling
breeze, but scarcely had we been half an hour under
sail when crack went the great yard of the “ Clumsy ”
once more. I had her taken in tow. I t is of no use
repairing the yard again, and, were it not for the
donkeys, I would abandon her. Koorshid Aga’s boats
were passing us in full sail when his diahbiah suddenly
carried away her rudder, and went head first
into the morass. I serve out grog to the men when
the drum beats at sunset, if all the boats are together.
NUEHR NATIVES COMING TO THE BOATS.
Jan. 13 th — Stopped near a village on the right bank
in company with Koorshid Aga’s two diahbiahs. The
natives came down to the boats—they are something
superlative in the way of savages; the men as naked