of towing through swamps, tugging by" the long grass,
and poling against a strong current, is dreadful, and
there appears to be no end to this horrible country.
“ On dit,” that during the dry season there is plenty
of game near the river, but at present boundless marshes
devoid of life, except in the shape of mosquitoes,' and
a very few water-fowl, are the only charms of the
White Nile. The other day I caught one of the men
stealing the salt; Bicharn having been aware of daily
thefts of this treasure, and having failed to report
them, the thief received twenty with the coorbatch,
and Bicharn is reduced to the ranks, as I anticipated.
No possibility of taking observations, as there is no
landing-place.
Jan. 17th.—As usual, marshes, mosquitoes, windings,
dead flats, and light winds; the mosquitoes in
the cabin give no rest even during the day. Stream
about two miles per hour. Course S.E.; the river
averaging about one hundred and ten yards in width
of clear water.
Jan. 18th.—Country as usual, but the wind brisker.
In company with Koorshid Aga’s boats. I have bound
the stock of OswelTs old gun with rhinoceros, hide.
All guns made for sport in wild countries and rough
riding, should have steel instead of iron from the
breech-socket, extending far back to within six inches
of the shoulder-plate; the trigger-guard should likewise
be steel, and should be carried back to an equal
distance with the above rib ; the steel should be of
extra thickness, and screwed through to the upper
piece; thus the two, being" connected by screws above
and below, no fall could break the stock.
Jan. 19 th.—At 8 a .m . we emerged from the apparently
endless regions of marsh grass, and saw on the
right bank large herds of cattle, tended. by naked
natives, in a country abounding with high grass and
mimosa wood. At 9.15 a .m . arrived at the Zareeba,
or station of Binder, an Austrian subject, and White
Nile trader; here we found five noggors belonging to
him and his partner. Binder’s vakeel insisted upon
giving a bullock to my people. This bullock I resisted
for Some time, until I saw that the man was affmrifp.fi.
It is impossible to procure from the natives any cattle
by purchase. The country is now a swamp, but it
will be passable during the .dry season. Took equal
altitudes of sun producing latitude 7° 5' 4 6 / The
misery of these unfortunate blacks is beyond description
; they will not kill their cattle, neither do they
taste meat unless an animal dies of sickness ; they will
hot work, thus they frequently starve, existing only
upon rats, lizards, snakes, and upon such fish as they
can spear. The spearing of fish is a mere hazard, as