«Англо-египетский Судан: Справочник для офицеров правительства Судана, Том 2»

El Hejera 1½ 99 A large zeriba of Osman Digna’s is passed.

Um Bashim 2 101 The name of this district. After passing through two patches of bush about a mile apart, the country becomes open and sandy, and sand ridges appear to the east.

El Siwan 8 109 Here the river may be approached, and further on the track passes within a few yards of the river bank.

Shellalab (Rest House near here). 10½ 119½ Shellalab, a sandy hill covered with marakh bushes. From here the track continues to the river bank, through scattered marakh bush, and sand hills lie away to the east. The river can be approached almost anywhere, and the path is never more than about ½ a mile from it. Jebel Ayob is visible about 7 miles due east.

Gala Amarus — —

Meshra Baluk or Um Beiba (Rest House). 21½ 141

From here the path traverses scattered bush, and in places badly cracked cotton soil, indicating the existence of water in the rains, and gradually ascends an easy slope on to the plateau, and thus cuts off a bend in the river.

Debba Gulal 13 154 Debba Gulal.

Meshra

7 161 The descent from the plateau begins 3 miles further on, and the river is struck at a good meshra.

Meshra Mitateb (Rest House). 3 164 The path continuing near the river, Mitateb, the first meshra in the Hadendoa country, is reached. The Bisharin country on right bank ends here, as also the Berber Province; the Province of Kassala is now entered. Rest house here.

From here the path gradually ascends a gentle slope to the plateau, from where Jebels Ofreik and Erembat soon become visible. Scattered heglig, tundub, and samr trees are noticeable, of these samr predominate as Goz Regeb is approached.

Goz Regeb (Rest House) 15 179 Two miles before reaching old telegraph hut the road descends from the plateau, and the river is reached at this hut, which forms a good halting place. The village of Goz Regeb is situated on a slight eminence close to the river on the left bank, and is marked by a few dom palms. Some Government buildings are now in course of construction on the right bank, the idea being that Goz Regeb should form a sanatorium for Kassala during the rains. The direct track to Kassala and that in general use leaves J. Erembat to the north, and strikes straight across the level plain. At about 38 miles, Bir Teishum is passed in the bed of a branch of the Gash, about 3 miles off the direct road. It has been lately opened up, and has a good supply of water, and Arabs were living here (March, 1902). There is little shade to be had on this road until after passing Khor Ebret, when kurmet and other green trees and bushes become numerous. On nearing the Gash, signs of cultivation appear.

Bir Teishum (Rest House) 38 217

Khor Ebret 20 237

Khor Gash 5 242

Tukruf

1¾ 243¾ Many wells in bed of Gash; unlimited supply of water.

Kassala 2¾ 246½ Destination.

Another Route may be taken from GOZ REGEB viâ ASUBRI to KASSALA.

Goz Regeb

179 179 The track ascends to the plateau and follows the edge of it, leaving the river several miles to the west. There are several meshras, all of which, however, are almost impossible to find without a guide.

Meshra Um Bereika

30 209 This meshra is somewhere about half-way.

Asubri

35 244 Good meshra and shade.

Goz El Handal 8½ 252½ About 5 miles after leaving the river for Kassala, the road from Suweihil joins in, and rather thick laot and kittr bush is traversed till reaching Goz El Handal, an open gravelly plain with short grass extending for about 2 miles From here to Umsiteiba there is little bush.

Umsiteiba 13 265½ A place where water stands in the rains; not much shade.

Khor Garatet 3 268½ Rather swampy and difficult for camels in the rains.

Khor Um Dahan 6 274½ Water stands in this khor in the rains. It is about 6 yards wide and 3 feet deep.

Khor Kunti 6 280½ There are Arab settlements near here in the rains for cultivation. After passing through some rather thick laot, &c., bush, Khor Kunti, about 8 yards wide and 6 feet deep, is crossed.

Khor Gash 4¼ 284¾ Many marakh and kurmet bushes until the Gash is reached.

Kassala ¾ 285½

4. — СУАКИН до ТОКАРА.

Лейтенант А. М. Таггарт, 1-й Бомбейский уланский полк, июль 1896 г.; капитан Маккеррелл, полк Кэмеронских горцев, декабрь 1897 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Suakin — — For the first 25 miles the track is well defined, and leads over hard ground never more than a mile or two from the sea shore. During the next 6 miles it changes in character, and for the last 25 miles leads through bushes and over sandhills, the tracks varying according to the season and the difficulties (drifting sand, &c.) to be encountered. There is no water to be had on the way. A telegraph line leads direct from Suakin to Tokar, but does not always follow the best road.

Leaving Suakin in a S.S.E. direction, the track is broad and distinct, passing over hard, sandy ground, with a few bushes 1 to 3 feet high.

Khor Gwob 7½ 7½ Crosses broad Khor Gwob.

3 10½ Track now 5 to 10 feet broad, approaches sea shore, then bears away again. Near this point (4 hours from Suakin) there are reported to have been some wells in 1885; water 6 feet down and brackish, hardly ever used.

2 12 Saw some trees due east, halfway to the sea; said to be wells of Helub. Water bitter, and but little used.

3 15 Track meets telegraph line.

2½ 17½ Over rising ground. Extensive view in all directions to the westward, well-defined khor trending north-west. Sparse bushes 2 to 3 feet high, ground hard and sandy, overlying coral. Track descends again; then level ground.

Khor Asab 7½ 25 Reached Khor Asab, which runs in from the hills to the west; it is called half-way to Tokar. Here a track branches off to the left, and leads to Teb.

6 31 Mud huts in ruins. Track becomes narrow and indistinct. Bush thicker, 4 to 8 feet high.

Surface shifting sand, with clay patches.

8 39 Crosses several small khors, sometimes traces of water here. Bush very thick.

Khor Tamai 2 41 Small pool of rainwater (at certain seasons only).

Mamuria 4 45 Ruined Mamuria of Mumtaz Pasha—mud house. Telegraph line crossed three times since the 31st mile. Bush becomes thicker.

Old Tokar 5 50 Old Tokar—in ruins. Broken ground and thick bush.

Abdulla Rai

2 52 Abdulla Rai Fort (fat loopholed tower, with pointed roof), on an eminence, visible from some distance. Nine wells here, water good—never known to fail, 54 feet down (July). Large herds of camels and goats in the district. Thick bush all round.

Track now due south-east to Tokar, surface hard and clayey, covered in places with drifted sand; bush 3 to 6 feet high. Tokar signal tower visible.

3 55 Leave the bush, across level mud plain to

Tokar

1 56 Tokar, vide Part I, Chap. III.

5. — ТРИНКИТАТ до ТОКАРА через ТЕБ.

Капитан Бауэр, Индийский штабной корпус, и редактор, июль 1896 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Trinkitat — — The whole road from Trinkitat to Tokar is passable for all arms, and it is only when approaching Tokar that the scrub about the country becomes thick enough to interfere with the action of cavalry.

For 2½ miles from Trinkitat the road runs along a broad embankment, on which for 1 mile an 18-inch gauge railway has been laid down. After leaving the embankment there is a sandy stretch, and then about 2 miles of narrow embankment just broad enough for the railway line. This embankment in places has rather a serpentine course, and would have to be straightened before rails could be laid down.

El Teb

7 7 At El Teb there is a small fort, and an ample supply of water at a depth of 17 feet.

Three wells inside fort and numerous ones outside, these latter mostly for animals.

The water in the different wells varies in quality, but is all slightly brackish. No ill effects, however, appear to attend drinking it, and the men quartered there spoke favourably of it.

The parapet of the fort is a brick wall 10 feet high, 1½ feet thick; ditch 11 feet broad, 8 feet deep. Signal tower as at Tokar, 43 feet high. Scene of battle of El Teb, 29th February, 1884, just north of present fort.

There are two roads from Teb to Tokar, both broad (30-50 yards) clearings through the bush. The “new” road is the straightest, but leads over soft sandhills and is rarely used. The other road bears gradually westwards a mile south of Teb, and cannot be missed if the traveller keeps on the west edge of the clearing. Excellent going for all arms. Bush on either side 3 to 10 feet high.

Abdulla Rai

8 15 Junction of Suakin track. Abdulla Rai Fort, ½ mile west of track.

Tokar 2½ 17½ Tokar.

6. (α) — СУАКИН до ЭРКОВИТА через ТАМАНЕБ и ХОР-АРАБ.

Майор Пауэлл, инженерные войска, март 1903 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Suakin — — Leaving Suakin by the Shaata Gate the track leads S.W. up the plain reaching the granite outcrops of the foot hills. Over broken, but easy ground to Tamaneb, where there is running water.

Tamaneb

8 18 The track passes W. of Tamaneb and ascends the flat valley bottom of Khor Gwob to 22 miles, where the junction with the Khor Nagit is reached. Leaving the route to Sinkat, which goes on up Gwob, the track turns S.W. up Khor Nagit till 27 miles, and then crosses a short rocky agaba into Khor Manab. Descending this easy valley, at 29½ miles the junction with Khor Arab is reached. To avoid a gorge the track ascends the hillside about 150 feet by a different rock path descending into the valley at 30½ miles. Up the valley, easy going, for about a mile pass running water (brackish and unpleasant), then ascend by steep zigzags up the left bank (1 in 4 at worst), after ½ mile along the steep hillside cross the valley and rise by a steep path to the saddle separating Khor Arab from the Khor Dahand. Descend into the latter by a rocky path and, after ascending with difficulty the rocky torrent bed for another ½ mile, reach the foot of the Agatba agaba at mile 34. A steep climb of ¾ mile brings one to the summit, after which the route crosses easy rises and dips to Erkowit at mile 39.

Erkowit

21 39

Good hill camels lightly laden took 11 marching hours from Erkowit to Suakin by this route, and would take about 14 hours to ascend. The track is not fit for horses or fully laden mules.

(β) — СУАКИН до ЭРКОВИТА через перевал КОЛКАЛАИ.

Майор Пауэлл, инженерные войска, март 1903 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Suakin — — Track leaves Suakin S.S.W. over the plain. At mile 13 crosses Khor Gwob, a wide open wadi with low banks and thick bush. This Khor is occasionally impassable when in flood. About mile 16 the road reaches the granite outcrops of the foothills, and descends into a wadi at Taharoi (mile 17), where there are usually several wells much resorted to for watering flocks. This year only one well and that almost dry. Depth to water usually 10 feet.

Taharoi

17 17

Tracks leads S. to Khor Tehela, leaving J. Gumberit to E. At mile 20 usually a well, but dry this year. Then S.W. into the Khor Dahand at 25 miles; track enters the hills and goes for 3 miles up the easy valley. At mile 28 there is water in the hill to S. and several Hadendoa tukls.

Track then takes to hillside, rising by zigzags up the end of a spur. At first 1 in 6, then 1 in 4 to the ridge, then very steeply 1 in 3 to another col, by short zigzags and rocky steps; very bad for pack animals, but good hill camels get up with light loads. Track descends along hillside for about 1 mile; all green, with shrubs, grass and ferns. Francolin, partridge and quail plentiful. Some bad places in descent, then easy path, and again short difficult rise to the edge of the Erkowit plateau.

Total ascent from Khor Dahand a little over 2,000 feet.

Camels took 3 hours. The track is not fit to ride over.

Erkowit

17 34 After about ¾ mile Erkowit is reached.

Leaving this route at mile 20 a track leads up Khor Masilli, S. of Dahand; the bad ascent on this is shorter, but equally bad, and the whole distance is longer.

7. (α) — ЭРКОВИТ до СИНКАТА через равнины БАРАМИЛ.

Майор Пауэлл, инженерные войска, март 1903 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Erkowit — — South over easy ground to head of Khor Amrat, down the sandy bed of the khor W.N.W. Leaving the khor the track rises for ¼ mile over a stony slope, reaching the Baramil Plain at 4 miles from Erkowit. For 14 miles the track runs W.N.W. over the firm surface of the plains. Large herds of ariel are seen, a few flocks and nomad Arabs, but no water. Down stony and occasionally narrow khor N.W. to Towai Wells, which are at side of khor 12 feet deep. Water fair and plentiful.

Towai Wells

18¾ 18¾

Sinkat

2¾ 21½ Down Khor Towai over a low stony rise and descend W.N.W.; wide khor until it joins the open Sinkat Valley and reaches the well and ruins of the old Fort at 21½ miles.

(β) — ЭРКОВИТ до СИНКАТА через ХОР-ГЕБЕТ.

Майор Пауэлл, инженерные войска, март 1903 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Erkowit — — Route descends the valley W.S.W. from Erkowit by rocky surface track over ridges and dips, rising after 2½ miles by a stony ascent to the edge of Baramil plateau. This length is the worst part of the route, it is practicable, but not good for loaded camels, and is easily capable of improvement by unskilled labour.

Gebet Well

14¼ 14¼ Along Baramil plateau, W. for about 2 miles, then N.N.W. over gentle ascent, and cross an easy but stony agaba, and descent N. down a khor leading to the open valley of Gebet. No obstacle. Gentle descent N.W. to the well at 14¼ miles. Water good; large flocks and herds; one well 30 feet deep. Down the open valley W.N.W. 3 miles, where route is joined by the direct track from Suakin to Sinkat, viâ the Sinkat agaba, then W. 1 mile to a short stony agaba leading into the Khor Abu Shid, the main valley of which is reached at mile 20. Thence easy going over a wide wadi to Sinkat at mile 23.

Sinkat

8¾ 23

8. — КАССАЛА до СУАКИНА через ФИЛИК, МАМАН и ХОР-СИТАРАБ.

Подполковник Митфорд, апрель 1899 г.

(Исправлено по состоянию на 1900 г.)

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Kassala — — On leaving Kassala, a N. by W. direction is taken over flat, sandy ground, intersected by small khors running into the Khor El Gash; many low trees of the acacia tribe and the green-leafed kurmet bush, but passage among them easy in any direction.

Khor Debeloeid 5½ 5½ A shallow khor, flowing from S.S.W. to N.N.E. two miles on; this khor is recrossed, flowing westward; here the trees are thicker and taller.

Khor Gamam 3½ 9 A branch of the Khor El Gash, 20 feet deep, 15 to 20 yards wide; proceeding down the khor for ½ mile the wells are reached. Banks thickly fringed with high tamarisks; bush very close.

Bir Gamam

½ 9½ Two wells; now 12 feet deep, 3 feet diameter; water plentiful. Many wells exist now in this khor for about 2 miles N. from this point. After winding about in the bush for a mile, country again becomes open; many open spaces half-a-mile to a mile in breadth. Direction N. A good deal of cultivation here.

Gamam 5½ 15 Formerly a large Hadendoa hamlet; its site now marked by a stony mound to the E. known as Habuba. A mile on one passes many skulls and human bones scattered all over the ground for some distance. This spot was the scene of the first encounter of the Kassala garrison and the Dervishes in the winter of 1883-4. Later on Osman Digna had a large standing camp of Hadendoa at the same place. Arabs say “20,000 young men” were collected there and guarded by Baggara horsemen, who, when food failed, refused to let them leave; so many hundreds died of starvation.

Hageror 9 24 The name of the district. At this point, 1 mile W. of our route, is the site of the old telegraph maintenance post of the old Suakin—Kassala telegraph line, close to a branch of the Khor El Gash (Khor Herbub). Arabs say water can be found 10 to 15 feet below the surface anywhere in this khor; fringed with high trees. Direction now is E.N.E.; country as before, but cotton soil.

Khor Bahr Shamil 3½ 27½ A shallow depression, 200 to 300 yards broad, no defined banks, thickly grown over by laot trees.

Khor Delai 3 30½ Twenty yards broad, 4 feet deep, flowing W. High trees along banks. At the 33rd mile the trees disappear; country is cotton soil with tussocks of grass, full of holes and breaks away at every step. Very bad going for men and animals. As the Khor Herbub is approached, grass, 3 feet high, becomes thicker.

Khor Herbub 10¾ 41¼ A branch of the Gash, 20 feet broad, 20 feet deep. Proceed due W. for 1¼ miles through high trees.

Bir Tokar

1¼ 42½ One well,[7] 20 feet deep, 3 feet diameter, 1 foot of water at bottom of well. After drawing 400 gallons supply was exhausted and water came in very slowly. Water good. Good grazing for horses and camels, and plenty of shade. Retracing one’s steps back across the Khor Herbub, a direction 72° (true) was taken and followed as far as Khor Togan. Bad cotton soil and tussocks of grass as before.

Filik

2½ 45 Formerly the largest and most important collection of hamlets of the Hadendoa of the Gash. Now no traces, with the exception of three charred dom palm trees, which supported the roof of the old telegraph maintenance post. Many wells, and water plentiful in Khor Tokar ½ mile W.

Going very bad; at the 49th mile belts of laot trees are passed through. At the 53rd mile surface of ground improves; more sandy, with patches of small stones or pebbles.

J. Tisheiga 11 56 One mile to right. Ground now descends gently; several small khors are crossed, running westward; trees in khors and along banks, kittr and samr. Ground sandy, with occasional patches of stones; excellent going.

Khor Yelkuk 5 61 Also called Telkuk. One hundred yards broad, flowing westwards. Ten miles up this khor are wells and an Arab settlement. Many trees; good grazing for camels. Two miles to the north are low black hills called J. Kadabu. Country as before.

Khor Taugon 5½ 66½ One hundred yards broad, banks 4 feet high. One well here not yet reopened, in bed of khor; high trees and dom palms in bed and along banks. Two and half miles E. is J. Taugon. General direction 62°.

Khor Shamfeid 2½ 69 A small khor running into Khor Maman. Same direction being followed, J. Maman with its four peaks straight ahead. Ground rises gently and then descends towards the Khor Maman; with stones in places.

Khor Maman 6 75 One hundred yards broad, banks 4 feet high; many high trees and doms; excellent grazing for camels. Crossing the khor and following up its right bank for 1½ miles the wells are reached. Under J. Maman are seen many hundreds of stone huts, which, according to the Arabs, were built many centuries ago; also many large stone graves.

Bir Maman

1½ 76½ Two wells, 40 feet deep, 3 feet diameter, water good and plentiful at all seasons.

On leaving the wells, the track, very faint, over stony ground, made by the party constructing the new telegraph line, was followed for the next 40 miles. The telegraph line itself is within sight of the track on one side or the other. Track proceeds up khor for ¾ mile, then passes round S.E. corner of J. Maman, and turns due N. J. Maman on the W. and J. Tudab on the E. form a pass, 1½ to 2 miles broad; ground sandy, with patches of stones; flat, good going; several small khors are crossed.

Khor Hashaneid 6 82½ One hundred yards broad, 3 feet banks. Dom palms and trees.

Khor Tudab 2 84½

Khor Fagada 2 86½

Khor Toteb 1 87½ Eighty yards broad, 5 feet banks. Runs into the Khor Kudameieb. Dom palms, kittr, samr, and the thornless kurmet trees. One and a half miles E. is J. Yaied, some 1,500 feet high, and 6 to 7 miles long, a mass of black basaltic rock, steeply escarped on its western side.

For the next 12 miles, ground traversed is hard sand, sloping from hills on the E., and covered with stones; very bad going; in the small watercourses (during rains) are belts of samr and kittr trees.

Khor Gedamaieb 4½ 92 Fifty yards broad, 6 feet banks. Trees; 2 miles on, a similar khor is crossed, bearing the same name.

At 96½ miles the top of a watershed is reached, and J. Kureib comes in sight, E.N.E. J. Bakutneb is some 3 or 4 miles to the N.

Khor Abuladein 7½ 99½ Twenty yards broad, 6 feet banks. Ground now sandy, and more trees.

Khor Serera 4 103½ One hundred yards broad, 6 feet banks. Dom palms. Runs into the Khor Abu Ledein.

Khor Togul 3¼ 106¾ Thirty yards broad, 3 feet banks. Follow the khor 1 mile down stream.

Bir Ali Kalai

1 107¾ One well 40 feet deep, 2 feet 6 inches diameter; water good, but supply only 300 gallons at date, and refilled very slowly. Khor Weidab joins Khor Togul from the S. lower down.

Returning up the khor 1 mile, a N.E. direction is taken. Ground very stony and undulating, and intersected by several large khors. Trees in watercourses and along banks of khor. The track runs more or less parallel with J. Kureib, 4 or 5 miles distant to the E.; a range some 8 miles long, 2,300 feet (approximate) above the general level, very precipitous on western side; black basaltic rocks.

Watershed 9¼ 117 Up to this point all khors crossed run into the Khor El Gash; northwards of this watershed, khors run into the Khor Langeb.

Khor Arideib 4 121 The direction of the new telegraph line is left 3 miles before reaching this khor. Direction N.N.W. Low ground sandy, with trees and grass; high ground stony and rocky.

Khor Kei-Eiteb 5 126

Khor Gambeleib 1½ 127½ The downward course of this khor, trending W. and S.W., is now followed for 4½ miles; several subsidiary khors join it from either side. Water could probably be found anywhere here, as trees are finer and creepers are festooned along the trees; many kurmet bushes, marakh, and tundub; good grazing for camels.

Bir Hamashaueb

4 132 Also called Bir Akrat. One well 50 feet deep, 3 feet diameter; water good and plentiful.

Returning up the khor for 2 miles to where Khor Gambeleib joins Khor Homashaueb, the upward course of the latter khor is followed for 2 miles, and then a N.N.E. direction taken. Ground very stony and rising; intersected by small khors running from hills to the east.

Khor Omli 12 144 No defined banks; its course marked by the trees.

Khor Yaskalab

4 148 Also called Khor Kubri. One well here 45 feet deep, 3 feet diameter; water good, but supply uncertain; it is generally dry at this time of the year.

Khor Hedaweb 5 153 Similar to Khor Gambeleib. One and half miles down the khor is Bir Hedaweb. One well 9 feet deep, 3 feet 6 inches diameter; water good and plentiful; there is said to be a better well 1 to 2 miles further down the khor.

Bir Hadaueb

1 154

On the south side of the khor, close to the well, are the remains of the old telegraph line maintenance post.

Returning up the khor ½ mile, a branch khor coming in from the N. is followed up past a large graveyard. At the 156th mile this khor is left, and the neck between two rocky hills is crossed. Going very bad; rough and stony.

Khor Belag 6½ 160½ Two hundred yards broad, 2 feet banks. Excellent grazing for camels in this khor. For 7 miles its downward course is followed. Arabs say that it flows into Khor Windi, but at 167½ miles the khor appears dammed up with sand dunes 8 to 10 feet high, and its level is the same as that of the surrounding country.

Khor Hegadab 8¼ 168¾ Flows towards the E. Ground ascends, and a mile on a stony pass between the hills is reached. J. Adarabab now comes in sight, noticeable from several chimney-like rocks which stand up above the general level of the top of the range. A short descent, then a sandy plain with patches of stones in places.

Khor Windi 4 172¾ This khor is entered, and its down-stream course followed for the next 8 miles. No water now obtainable in this khor; trees are more stunted, and their leaves more yellow and dried up than in the preceding khors. At 177½ miles is the site of the old telegraph maintenance post and well, now filled in many years ago.

At 180 miles the khor is left, and a plain traversed, alternately sandy with tufts of grass and stony; several narrow deep khors are crossed. At 188¼ miles the level of the country suddenly drops some 20 feet.

Tamarisk bushes and trees commence.

Khor Langeb 19¼ 192 One hundred and fifty to three hundred yards broad, banks 15 to 20 feet high. Banks on either side thickly fringed with tamarisk trees; excellent grazing for camels. Arabs are restarting breeding camels in the vicinity of this khor; one drove of nearly 300 young camels were seen. One day S.W. up this khor, Khor Odeib is said to enter it; all the khors already enumerated, from Khor Areideb to Hedaweb inclusive, run into Khor Odeib. Half a day to the E. Khor Windi joins it.

Bir Tamashnauer

1½ 193½ One and a quarter miles up this khor is the well; 25 feet deep, 3 feet diameter; water plentiful, but very smelly and brackish. Arabs state that at present there are no wells open further up the khor; lower down are more wells and a few pools.

Returning ¾ mile down the khor, a direction N. by E. is taken; several small tributary khors are crossed, and then ground ascends gently and becomes stony.

The next 45 miles is known as the Wadi Ossir. J. Adarabab and Shaba on the E., and a series of ranges of hills on the W. form the sides, 8 to 10 miles apart. These hills form a funnel through which the wind blows steadily during the winter months; sand storms very frequent.

J. Karamriba 4½ 198 Two black stony hills, 200 feet high; ½ mile to W.

Eilogwa 3 201 In the hills to the E., 3 to 4 miles from the track, are said to be rock cisterns with water; supply said to last from rains to rains.

Khor Ossir 5 206 Flowing S.W. Runs into Khor Langeb.

El Fogani 2½ 208½ The same khor is recrossed, flowing S.E. Good grazing along and in this khor.

Direction N.N.E. Ground still rising gently; sandy, with tamarisks bushes and samr trees, very stunted, 4 to 5 feet high. Some marakh and araag trees. Occasional belts of stony ground.

Watershed 16 224½ Top of the watershed is reached; ½ mile to W. is a low stony mound, 50 feet. Ground now falls from J. Shaba range towards the western hills.

Khor Shenkerat 5 229½ Three to four miles to E.; in the hills are said to be rock cisterns. The old telegraph maintenance post is under the hills. Ground now becomes very stony, falling towards the W. and N.; in the shallow depression between the flat spurs are Abyssinian aloes. Three miles on ground becomes more sandy, and samr, marakh, and some laurel-like bushes are passed through, becoming thicker as the khor is approached.

Khor Ossir El Tahtani 9 238½ Fifty to one hundred yards broad, 5 feet banks; flows N.E. The range of hills on the E. now terminates. A sandy plain is now crossed; scattered samr, etc.

J. Meiz 5 243½ A low conical hill is passed close to the track to the E. 3 to 4 miles to the W. in the range of hills Arabs point out J. Maiz, where water is said to be plentiful.

For 2 miles stony ground, then sandy again; track passes through several groups of low detached hills. At 254½ miles ground becomes more cut up with khors, and gradually ascends and becomes very stony; the last mile into Khor Siterab is a stony defile; going very bad and in single file. A sharp ascent into the khor.

Khor Sitarab

16½ 260 A rocky khor 20 to 50 yards wide; bounded by hills 40 to 60 feet high on either side. In the bed of the khor are great blocks of granite, through the interstices of which percolates water, which collects in the clay bed of the khor and forms small pools at close intervals all down the khor, averaging 15 to 20 feet long, 2 to 4 feet broad, and 6 inches deep. Water very brackish, osher bushes, a few tamarisks, shush grass and reeds grow in the bed of the khor.

From the khor a well defined track runs all the way to Suakin. For 4 miles ground is very stony and broken; few sammur trees.

Khor Alifeyeit 4 264 Two hundred yards broad, 10 feet banks, sandy bed. Ground now becomes sandy, and trees thicker; samr, araag, heglig, labakh and tundub trees. Gow grass during and after rains; good sheep grazing ground.

Khors Sedayat, Ashat, Erim, and Shadat 5 269 These four khors are all crossed in 1½ miles; no defined tracks; trees and bush in bed and alongside the khors. A few miles eastwards these khors open out into the plain. For the next 3½ miles ground is stony.

1½ 270½

Khor Issi or Issei 1½ 272 Fifty yards broad, 2 feet banks.

Khor Sarobai 2 274 No defined tracks; sandy; trees and bush.

Khor Wintri 4¼ 278¼ A point of crossing; this khor has commenced to divide up into branches.

Four miles on J. Gumberit is passed 1 mile to the W. Country more open; eastward a clear view down to the sea.

Khor Gwob 10¾ 289 One hundred to two hundred broad, shallow, no defined banks. Ground descends gently, and on reaching the ridge, ¾ mile distant, the town of Suakin comes in sight. Trees become fewer and bushes lower.

Suakin 8 297

9. — ТОКАР до КАССАЛЫ через ХОР-БАРАКА.

(Различные источники.)

Выпас. В изобилии для верблюдов и т. д. на всем протяжении маршрута.

Вода. Везде, где можно копать, кроме участка между Хор-Локвеб и Хор-Али-Гебрат (28 миль) и между последним и Кассалой (18 миль).

Место для лагеря. Хорошее в любом месте вдоль маршрута.

Дрова. В изобилии для топлива и сооружения временных укрытий.

Движение. В целом отличное для верблюдов, лошадей и т. д. Конвои должны совершать путь из Суакина не более чем за 14 дней.

Группы без тяжелого багажа должны легко преодолевать его за 9 дней.

Примечание: Поскольку большая часть этого маршрута проходит по итальянской территории, в настоящее время он обычно не используется к югу от Хор-Лангеба (см. примечание к Хор-Лангебу, 51-я миля).

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Tokar — — Leaving Tokar, the track runs a little west of south across the plains, leaving the Khor Baraka channel to the west.

10 10 Traversing a broken tract, covered with eminences strewn with sand, enter the Khor Baraka. Vegetation on much larger scale; tall tamarisk trees. Channel 50 yards broad; hard sand; excellent going; banks 10 to 12 feet high, and thickly wooded.

There are more routes than one; sometimes along the channel, or on either bank, according to season or circumstances. Broadly, the Beni Amer inhabit the eastern bank, and the Hadendoa the western.

Temeren

2 12 (Tamenrê = 10 wells.) The wells here, two in number, are situated in the bed of the Khor Baraka, depth about 20 feet, and produce plenty of water of a brackish nature. Another account (1897) says two wells, close to fort; one well only used, good water 50 feet down. The khor here is about 80 paces wide, with low banks, and is comparatively bare of trees. During the floods of the Baraka, these wells are flushed, the water being thick and impregnated with alluvial mud. The country on the left bank is open and stony, and remains so until the line of the Jebel Shaba hills is reached. To the right bank of the khor a certain amount of cultivation exists, which increases in amount as the Tokar delta is reached. Heina range visible to south.

Jebel Shaba lies 26 miles W.S.W. of Temeren; track to it clearly marked over stony plain by occasional stone heaps. Contains grass, ravines, shrubs, and numerous pools of water (July); one large deep pool at foot of hill containing water all year round. Good look-out post in all directions.

The route, after leaving Temeren, bears for a mile or so south-east to avoid the numerous sand dunes and drifts lying close to the right bank of the khor, and then changes southwards.

2 14 A belt of considerable bush is now passed through, after which the country becomes open, rough, and sandy; the khor about ½ a-mile to the right-hand side.

Well

1 15 One well; good water.

The route continues in a generally southerly direction, passing through sand dunes, covered with a considerable growth of tamarisk bushes sufficiently high to conceal a mounted man.

1 16 Khor Toshikh joins the Baraka on the west bank; route enters the Baraka.

Here large khor also runs in from the east, main channel now from 30 to 40 yards wide, banks varying to 30 feet high. Natives say the whole of this bit of country for a mile west, and to Jebel Haina east, is under water in the rainy season. Tamarisk bushes line each side, nothing can be seen from the channel.

Seven miles on, track leaves the khor, runs west on a sandy plain for a mile. Eleven miles on a black hill 150 feet high runs from west bank half across the khor.

Lower Debetawateb 7 23 The hill of Haina runs down to top of channel on east side; a narrow gorge is thus made, through which the rush of water at flood is very great. When it is a very high flood, a channel is also formed round the west side of the hill. Just beyond this there are some old disused wells in the channel that were known as Lower Debetawateb. After this, the khor opens out to about 800 yards wide, sand dunes and scrub everywhere, track winds round almost due west, and reaches Upper Debetawateb, where there are two wells, plenty of good water, close to surface. Track leaves channel here and runs ½ mile through thick jungle on to east bank, and then winds round south over sandy plain. Five miles on, guide pointed due west to

Upper Debetawateb

3½ 26½

Odwan

5 31½ Odwan, lying in the khor, one well. Eight miles on, hills of Shaba and Heina run down to banks of channel, track leads east of some low hills, and khor is seen winding west a good deal.

Tefadi 5 36½ Some large sand hills in khor, guide said this was Tefadi. No well, but water easily got by digging. Track now leads over bad ground broken up by watercourses, sand dunes, &c., and re-enters channel 4 miles on, then leaves it and runs on to west bank, winding gradually south-west into Khor Farag Salem. (Laiameib.)

Laiameib 6½ 43

Farag Saleib

3 46 Here there are 12 or more pools of water, rather salt. This khor runs south-east into Khor Baraka, and where it meets it, there is a small stone enclosure on a hill held by Arabs under Sheikh Abu Fatma, called Langeb. There is one well in valley at foot of hill.

From Khor Farag Salem is seen Jebel Ada Abab, about 10 miles to the south-west. The track runs from this khor south-east, then south-west over rocky ground, skirting the Khor Baraka, of which the east bank is lined with hills.

Khor Langeb[8] 5 51 Five miles on track enters channel, and 100 yards further Khor Langeb[8] runs in from the west, about 25 yards wide, and described as similar to Khor Baraka. Directly afterwards the track leaves khor and proceeds for 8 miles over stony ground on west bank, and then for 11 miles over alternate rocky and sandy plains, direction south, then re-enters khor and passes pool of dirty water, and after heavy going in the channel reaches two pools with any quantity of clear sweet water, called Tebhateit.

Tebhateit

23 74

[Other accounts of the road from Khor Toshikh to Tebhateit are as follows:—

10 22 At 10 miles from Temeren a large number of sandhills are reached, covered with a good deal of scrub and tamarisk trees. These sandhills proceed from the neighbourhood of the khor towards the Jebel Heina; they are not of any height, but would form admirable concealment for horse and foot men. After passing through the sandhills, the route re-enters the khor, being the first point the khor is touched since Temeren. The khor here is about 50 paces wide, with a firm sandy bottom, fringed by scrub, though not of a dense character.

There is also a track along the west bank of the Khor Baraka from Temeren to Langeb (Junker’s road), but it is bad, leading through thick bush and wood, and much broken by numerous small khors.

Debetawateb

3 25 Wells. About 35 water holes 5 feet deep, situated close to west bank of khor. Wells mostly together, water brackish (April). The wells are placed in what practically is a gorge. The left bank rises in a rocky hill from 150 to 200 feet high, and gradually falls away into a wide open stony plain, which, with occasional rocky isolated hills, extends to the high mountain of Jebel Shaba. On the right bank the hills are higher, formed into numerous peaks, the hills gradually losing themselves in the Jebel Haina. The rush of water down this gorge is very considerable when the Baraka is in flood; it is said to be of such force as to sweep a camel with ease before it. The hills of this gorge would form a fair position; though, perhaps, capable of being turned by the west. Such dense scrub approaches to within a few yards of the south side of the hill on the left bank that it would enable an enemy on the hill to defend himself from this bush with reasonable prospects of success, and make it a difficult operation to touch the top of the ridge of the hills without carrying the bush. This gorge would seem to be the best place to put a barrage, should such a work ever be contemplated. After leaving the wells the route follows the khor, which now opens out very considerably. The west bank is covered with dense bush, mostly tamarisk trees; the east bank has a considerable amount of bush, but the belt is not so broad or so high as that on the opposite bank.

2 27 After about ¾ hour is reached a large patch of dura crop planted in the bed of the khor, dense bush continuing on the left bank; after ½ hour, reach a few water holes on the right side of the khor, evidently used for the cultivation of the above-mentioned dura. After passing the cultivation the khor maintains the same general appearance.

From here a short cut may be made to Tamatu by leaving the khor, and marching over a scrubby plain, going rough, and cut up by small khors and hills.

The path now leads by the right bank of the khor, and clear of it; the ground here is much cut up by ravines and watercourses, covered with dense bush, in fact might be described as a regular jungle. After passing this rough ground the khor is again struck at

Odwan (meaning great waterpot). 4 31 The khor here is in a channel 16 to 18 feet deep; the channel bifurcates, the old bed passing in a westerly direction, the new cutting for itself a passage in a more northerly direction. Pools here before the Baraka floods, running water in winter. No definite wells. On 16th July, 1894, the khor here was a rapid stream, 40 to 50 yards broad, and 4 feet deep.

Khor takes sharp bend to the west. Bush on either bank very dense; tamarisks and bushes bound together with bright green creepers.

Tamatu (or Tefadi?) 6 37 Fifty wells near west (?) bank of khor, 5 feet deep; water brackish.

Route now goes along bed of khor, good going, muddy soil with patches of sand. Banks 4 feet high and densely wooded. Four miles (?) on, the khor is left, and an open plain to the west crossed, covered with scattered scrub, ground generally stony. Spurs of Shaba range extend to within half mile of khor.

Laiameib

8 45 Lies a mile to the west of the Khor Baraka, and is reached by proceeding up a stony tributary khor with occasional trees, a few dom palms marking the entrance to the khor. This point is called Khashm Lwi (?); sides of khor 50 to 100 feet high. The wells lie at the foot of a mass of irregular rocks, which stop further advance.

The reservoir of rain water is situated under the rocks, and is reached by a narrow downward passage which finally opens into a subterranean cave. The entrance to the cave is sufficiently high and wide to admit the passage of two horses at the same time. The water, perhaps 6 feet deep, is of excellent quality and most delicious to drink, covering about 15 feet square, and taking up the greater part of the cave.

Khor Farag Saleib 3 48 Three miles south of the Khor Laiameib, the Khor Farag Saleib is crossed. Here the Baraka forms a lake in flood time.

Langeb 3 51 The entrance to the khor of that name, which trends south-west from here.

Tebhateit

12 63 Good wells; ground hilly. Jebel Haggr, 6,000 feet.

(From this point Captain McKerrell is the authority.)

After Tebhateit (74 miles) the track now runs on to east bank, and winds gradually south over broken rocky ground; 5 miles on re-enters khor, and runs through dense mass of tamarisk and scrub into channel 100 yards wide here, and khor ½ to ¾ mile wide.

Ambakta

8 82 Shortly afterwards reach Khor Ambakta, with one well. This is where Sudan-Eritrea boundary meets the Baraka on the east bank. Jebel Senad, to the west, is a good landmark here, and Jebel Ayob, on east. Channel now twists about a good deal, then runs south-west; both banks lined with hills.

Hakhal

8 90 Eight miles on is Hakal; one well, 6 feet down, good water.

Adardeb

9 99 Track continues south-west and enters Eritrean territory, and 9 miles on reaches Adardeb, with three wells, 4 feet down; good water. Three miles on channel splits up and runs east and west; track leads over ground between. Very bad going over ground broken up by watercourses and sand dunes for next 6 miles; channel is then re-entered and Khor Salha is reached.

Khor Salha

10 109 Five wells, 4 feet down, good water. This is a large khor running in from the east, and is itself joined by Khor Anseba, about 10 miles east, which latter khor comes from south-east. From here Jebel Adarkalab, a very high hill, is seen due south, and Jebel Skena due west, a cone-shaped hill. Track leaves channel here and runs along east bank, passing, 3 miles on, two stone pepper pots, built by Dervishes. Bad going over very broken ground, intersected by watercourses, for next 8 miles; then re-enters channel and reaches four wells, water 4 feet down, and some small rain pools, from one of which two fish were caught. One hundred yards on is Jebel Sotai on west, and Jebel Adarkalab on east, bank; latter swarming with grey monkeys. These hills are about 60 yards apart, and the rush of water between them at flood must be very great.

Khor Anseba — —

Jebel Sotai 9 118

Akiduli (Koliteb?)

4 122 Four miles on is a black rock, called “Akiduli,” on east bank, with figures of camels, men, and ostriches scratched over it. Water here also in pools and old wells, in places only 2 feet down. Further on is Khor Attai, with wells; water good, and 4 feet down.

Khor Attai

2 124

Kolik

18 142 Track now runs south, and hills recede on either side; khor widening to about a mile east and west; channel 100 yards, and shallow, lined with thick tamarisk and bush. Thirteen miles on passed several wells, old and new, and later khor contracts and hills run down on either flank; reach Kolik.

Khor Tamaguanti

6 148 Jebel Koreb is seen here, a landmark to the west. There is water. Then track leaves khor and crosses west on to a wide, fairly open, sandy plain. Long range of black hills on east, running with khor, country west much more open and hills far away. Six miles on, cross Khor Tamaguanti, running south-west, which is lined with dom palms, has an old well with good water, and a few inhabitants. Track continues over plain passing “Mala” of Sheikh Abu Tahir, who was head of the Hadendoa tribe in Mohammed Ali’s time. Here there are between 200 and 300 graves; plain is covered with coarse grass and acacia.

Khor Lokweb

11 159 Track now leaves Khor Baraka and enters Khor Lokweb, a large khor running into the Baraka from the south-west; channel, lined with any number of dom palms, 100 yards wide; banks 15 to 20 feet high. Two good wells here, water 5 feet down; track continues in khor, direction south-west, for 2 miles and comes to two new wells, water 6 feet down. Then leaves khor to avoid heavy sand, and runs parallel to it on west bank, but here also going is bad, over very broken ground covered with bush. Eight miles on track runs over rocky ground, two hills appear on both flanks. Sixteen miles on passes old stone house on hill to left and shortly after re-enters Khor Lokweb at spot called Khashm El Kawab, where there were two wells, water 3 feet down, slightly salt. Track now runs south-west and then for 8 miles west. Channel blocked by large stone boulders after first mile, bad going through deep sand, dom palms on both banks, also saw two withered Tebeldis with edible fruit like an elongated pear. Six miles on reached three wells called Khashm Hodelt. Eight miles on, left khor and marched west over plain, covered with acacia, &c. Then re-entered khor and reached three at Khashm Ribdab, good water.

Khashm El Kawab

19 178

Khashm Hodelt

6 184

Khashm Ribdab

6 190

No water for the next 28 miles.

Jebel Irkit-Anob 8 198 Track leaves Khor Lokweb now, which runs west, and enters Khor Ribdab. Channel 50 to 100 yards wide, with low banks covered with bush, hard sandy bottom, excellent going, direction due south. Sighted here, due south, curious grey hill, with top sticking up like a chimney, called Jebel Irkit Anob, a good land mark. Natives said no one had ever been able to climb to its top. Three miles on reached plain, where the old Mamuria stood. Five miles on passed close to the above-mentioned hill, leaving it on our left. Track shortly afterwards leaves khor and runs west over plain of acacia, coarse grass, &c. Nine miles on reached hill called Tiniki, with a single thorn tree on its east shoulder, moved round its east flank in single file into plain beyond; direction west, bad going, and axes had to be used in places. Fifteen miles on sighted Jebel Kassala to south-west. Bush- grown plain. Shortly after track passes between low hills on the right, called Shushaieb, and a large burying ground on left, called “Balad Ali Gabret,” and enters shortly after khor of that name, running south and west, with six wells of good water, 4 feet below surface. Plenty of shade. Jebel Sabderat is seen on left front.

Jebel Shushaieb 16 214

Khor Ali Gabret 4 218

Kassala 18 236 Track now leaves khor and runs south-west over grassy park-like plain, covered with bush, &c. Bad going in places. Seven miles on sighted Jebel Mokram and, passing it on our left, reached Kassala, 3 miles further on.

10. — КАССАЛА до МАМАНА (напрямую).

Капитан Г. Х. Морант, апрель 1900 г.

Общие замечания. Самая прямая дорога на Маман — это старый телеграфный маршрут, который выходит из Кассалы в северо-северо-восточном направлении мимо северной оконечности Джебель-Мокрам и, проследовав вдоль новой телеграфной линии около 10 миль, затем поворачивает почти строго на север, оставляя новую телеграфную линию к востоку. Местность: хорошее движение, покрыта редким кустарником, но более густым вдоль хоров, некоторые из которых являются более или менее серьезными препятствиями в сезон дождей. Хотя воды вдоль этого маршрута немного, в апреле 1900 года ее было достаточно, чтобы отряд из 50 человек верблюжьего корпуса, 2 лошадей, 50 местных жителей пешком и 2000 голов скота и овец мог добраться до колодцев в Тукруфе, недалеко от Кассалы, без каких-либо специальных мер по обеспечению водой.

Маман находится на прямой дороге в Суакин: часть маршрута до Суакина к северу от Мамана см. в маршруте 8.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Kassala — —

Khor Girger (Wells)

19 19 Bir Galgal in Khor Girger; very little water in April, 1900.

Tendelai-i ( Wells)

12 31 From here the track continues N.N.E. by N., passing about midway between Jebels Roreb and Shushaieb to the northern extremity of the latter, where there are several wells in the khor called Tendelai-i. These wells had also very little water. From here the track continues in the same direction, good going, country open and grassy, scattered bush except along khors, several of which are crossed, to Khor Telkuk, before reaching which Jebel Obillit is passed about 2 miles to the west. There was said to be a well in the khor somewhere near this jebel. From here to Maman, country very open; good hard going and short grass. Three more khors are crossed, chief of which is Togan.

Khor Telkuk, or El Ku, or Obillit 20 51

9 60

Maman

5 65 The wells in K. Maman. Many Gemilab Hadendoas here.

11. — АДАРАМА до БИР-ОШИ (ХОР-ЛАНГЕБ).

Капитан Кенрик, 11-й гусарский полк, сентябрь 1901 г.

Примечание: Местоположение колодцев и воды в местности, описанной в обоих следующих отчетах о маршрутах, в значительной степени зависит от сезона и года, а также в большой степени от местных дождей. Поэтому на предыдущие отчеты нельзя полностью полагаться.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Adarama — — After leaving Adarama the road goes E. for about 6 miles over sandy soil covered with tufts of dry tabas grass. Jebel Asoteribab is visible to the S.E. Khor Amab is then crossed; this is always dry, I was told; it comes from S.E., and runs a little way further to the N. Osman Digna is said to have had his extreme E. outpost of 20 men here to levy blackmail on anyone coming to Berber. There are acacia bushes in this khor. Two miles after crossing the khor, the range Jebel Tobrar comes into view. All bushes cease here, and for 4 or 5 miles the way is over an undulating sandy country with tufts of withered grass. On descending a low sandy hill, Khor Shedieb is met running S.W. and draining a black, light sandy plain running E. and W., along which the way proceeds for 6 miles; low sand hills to the S. The plain is treeless, except a few stunted bushes in Khor Shedieb. After marching E. over this plain the sand hills begin to close in at a place called El Yukreik, where there is a little shade from a few small tundub bushes; this is said to be full of water and green grass in a rainy year, but it is quite dry now; this is about 20 miles distant from Adarama. The direction is then eastwards through a succession of valleys shut in by low sand hills running N. and S. about 3 miles by 3 miles. One valley, just before entering the Hegerib Plain in which Bir Kerikun lies, is full of bushes and is cotton soil, but not bad going; there must be a good deal of water all over this country in a good year, but it is quite dry now. There is no grass for horses the whole way; the going is good, but a little heavy over the sand hills from one valley to another, and also, except just when entering Wadi Hegerib, 3 miles before reaching Bir Kerikun.

Jebel Tobrar 2 8

Khor Shedieb 5 13

El Yukreik 7 20

Bir Kerikun

15 35

¾ 35¾ On leaving Bir Kerikun, march N. about ¾ mile to get over the low sand hills, the way then goes E. and slightly N. The road winds a little when passing over the sand hills to get out of the valleys, which are exactly similar to those about 12 miles before Kerikun, except that there are more selem or samr bushes in them, which give a fair amount of shade. Just before entering Wadi Todabanob there is a valley which the Arabs told me is capital grazing in a good year.

Khor Shanfaiet — — Khor Shanfaiet comes in at the S.W. corner of this valley. Large graveyard of Shebodinab Arabs here. Going good; sand a little heavy across the sand hills. No grass fit for horses. On entering Wadi Todabanob the wells lie at the foot of a sand hill. They are about 8 in number (though there are others quite filled up in other parts of the valley); three only of these are open, and two of these only had water in them; they are unlined. They were:—

Todabanob

13¼ 49

Depth to water 14 feet.

Depth of water 2½ feet (approx.).

Circumference 3¼ feet.

I got about 3 camel fantasses full out of them. I have now learnt from three sources that it was, as I suspected at the time, only rain water from the shower two nights before. They are now almost dry. Excellent shade in Todabanob from large sayal trees; no grass; must be swamp in a wet year. No Arabs at all on the route. Wadi Todabanob runs N. and S. Khor Derudeb comes in at S. E. (about).

J. Sanai — — After passing eastwards over the sand hills leading out of Wadi Todabanob, J. Sanai comes into view in the E., and J. Ararab to S.E.; after a switchback course of about 2½ miles over the sand hills the road drops into Wadi Shakauni, half of which is covered with withered Tabas grass, and a little green grass, tundub bushes, and Senna, the remaining half barren sand; this is crossed after marching 3 miles. On ascending a slight ridge the sand hills are left, and Khor Derudeb comes into sight about 6 miles off, running in a half-circle from N.E. to S.W. J. Tebilol, in the E., is also sighted. The ground just before coming to Khor Derudeb, as in the low-lying parts of all these khors, is cotton soil, but the going is not bad. About 12 miles from Bir Todabanob, Khor Derudeb is crossed at a point called El Garud, where there are rain pits; these cannot be relied on for water. The way now goes eastwards for about 11 miles over a stony plain, but good going on tracks, past J. Tebilol and Khor El Ashob. There was very little water when I came here, but a violent storm came on in the night and brought down the khor; after such a storm there is plenty of water, sufficient, I think, to last for four or five months. There was one large pool of water, 40 yards long, 8 yards broad, and 10 feet deep. Plenty of shade near the khor, and good grass on the banks. The plain just before Khor El Ashob is treeless; the going the whole way is good.

J. Ararab — —

Wadi Shakauni 2½ 51½

J. Tebilol — —

Khor Derudeb — —

El Garud

9½ 61

J. Tebilol — —

Khor El Ashob

10½ 71½

Jebel Wararaweb — — The road goes eastwards through the pass of J. Wararaweb, but there are several miles (3) of cotton soil to pass first. The pass itself is very stony, broken ground and bad going for about 3 of 4 more miles. Then S.E. over a very stony plain for 10 miles to Khor Godamaieb; this plain is crossed by small khor, near which and in which there is always a little green grass and some shade. Khor Godamaieb was dry. The well Tisharam is on the west bank, and is a very good one, though unlined; its dimensions were:—

Khor Hambokeb

Khor Godamaieb — —

Tisharam

38½ 110

Depth to water 9 feet.

Depth of water (good) 5 feet.

Circumference 7 feet.

I was told Osman Digna usually went viâ Khor El Ashob, Bir Delai and Khor Delai to Khor Araf. Plenty of dom palms on each bank, some coarse green grass; remains of a very large old well filled up.

Khor Angwatiri 2½ 112½ Cross Khor Godamaieb, about 50 yards wide, march N.E. over a road for the most part stony, except 2½ miles from Khor Godamaieb, where Khor Angwatiri is crossed; there is green grass in plenty, and some shade from thorn bushes. It was full of Gemilab Arabs and their flocks, who water away to the E. in Khor Amboreb, where there are some pools of water. After 5 miles further you enter the hills, and there are 4 miles of very bad stony going in and out of small khors in the midst of stony mountains till you descend into Khor Barshoi, about 1 mile long, with dom palms on both banks; then Khor Araf comes in from the N.W., and the way to Khor Langeb is up this khor, averaging 30 or 40 yards in width, thick dom trees on either bank, coarse green grass in places, but not in any great quantity. The mountains all through run down to the dom palms on the banks of the Khor Araf on each side; away in the distance are some very high stony peaks. A very few Gemilab were in the khor. The going on the whole is very good in the khor, except in a few places where the sand is heavy. About 5 miles from junction of Khor Araf with Khor Barshoi was a pool of rain water near the left bank, about 15 yards long, 4 yards broad, and 2 feet deep. The pool to be relied on is El Getite, on left bank of Khor Araf, about 16 miles from junction of Khor Araf and Khor Barshoi, and 31 from Bir Tisharam; it is rainwater and will last 4 months. It is close up to the rock where the hills run down into the khor. It is 209 yards long, 10 yards broad, and 10 or 12 feet deep. Muddy water, but quite wholesome.