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

Wells

2¼ 2¼

Shasheina (Rest house) 14¾ 17 Several groups of tukls belonging to Debania and Takruris on western slope of a low ridge. Two good wells with any amount of good water, roughly 30 to 40 feet down.

7 24 Leaving here the track skirts the bottom of the ridge and leads in a southerly direction over stony, bad going for about 2 miles, when it bends to S.E. and passes over an open plain to the E.; on the W. forest begins. The wells of Amzuani and Galaat Eila are passed 2½ miles and ¾ mile to the E. of the track.

J. Doka is now visible right ahead.

The path here enters forest which continues to Doka. The soil black cracked cotton soil and the path is occasionally stony. Hashab, soffar and talh are the trees that predominate.

Doka (Rest house) 21 45 A very wretched village that has seen better days. It used to be the residence of a mudir or important official in the old government days. The remains of his palace, &c., are still standing. Two wells, very indifferent supply; generally dry in the middle of the day a few months after the rains.

There is a path from here to Abu Gulud and Sofi, also to Nogara. On leaving Doka several hills are passed, the principal being J. Doka 2 miles to the E., and Ajerawi or Kajerawi to the W. About 4 miles from Doka the route from Asar joins in from the right. This road is very little used, and is hardly noticeable. The track here becomes stony for a mile or so.

Khor Kefaia 8 53 Khor Kefaia, running W.

Khor Kanin 3½ 56½ Khor Kanin, also running W.

Seraf Said (Rest house) 10 66½ Several small villages and two wells in the khor of this name which is the boundary between Gedaref and Gallabat. Wells 30 to 40 feet deep; fair supply. From here a road goes W. to Durraba[13] near the Rahad, and there is a track, made by honey hunters, to the Atbara, which is 13 or 14 miles eastwards.

For the first 2 miles after leaving the wells a good deal of dura and dukhn cultivation is passed through, and then forest with some quite fine trees begins and continues to within a mile of Gallabat.

Khor Kuneina (Rest house) 15 81½ The hills of Ras El Fil, where this khor originates, are passed 2 miles on the right. Up to January water is obtainable slowly from holes about 3 feet deep in its bed. Later these become dry. Fine ardeib tree. Thick forest, chiefly talh and heglig, continues to Khor Otruk, where water stands in a pool all the year round. There are also wells near, from which several small villages obtain their water.

Khor Otruk

7 88½

The road now ascends an easy slope for about 2 miles, and hills are passed to the right and left. From the top of this ascent Gallabat is visible, and ½ mile before reaching it a small khor with running water is crossed.

Gallabat 4½ 93 Old fort of Zeki Tumal’s, 120 feet above the town which lies at foot of slope about 400 yards E. Water from stream, which constitutes boundary with Abyssinia, 800 yards E. of fort.

[There is an alternative route viâ Asar. This is however very little used. It was taken by the two companies of Soudanese troops who first occupied Gallabat in December, 1898. It had been previously used a good deal by Dervish fugitives to and from Gedaref. The water supply along the Doka road is now better and is sufficient, if troops march at night, without carrying any great amount of water:—

Gedaref — — A rather stony track in places leads across open country covered with high grass and dura to Asar. This is a Debania village and residence of their head Sheikh, Wad Zaid, and is situated at the S.W. end of a ridge 300 feet high and 1½ miles long, running nearly N. and S. Here there are two good wells which supplied Ahmed Fedil’s force of 3,000 to 4,000 men besides women, &c., for more than three weeks. A road leads from here to Beila, also to Shasheina.

Asar

10 10

Leaving Asar, several deserted villages were passed, and after traversing undulating open country for 8 miles, talh and soffar forest commences.

Khor Tagala

15 25 Water in holes in rocks by the road side. It has the usual stagnant rain-water taste and smell, but is said to last all the year round. Large baobab close to water. The track continues through forest with occasional open spaces to Khor Ardeiba.

Khor Ardeiba

15 40

A large khor running W. between hills. Water is found in several places in the rock on the side of the hill on left bank of khor. The supply was very scanty at beginning of December, and is not to be relied on.

J. Kajerawi

10 50 For the first 3 or 4 miles after leaving the bed of the khor the track ascends and descends several short steep slopes; trees interfere with the path, which is somewhat stony. It then crosses a fairly open cotton soil plain to a stone-lined well about 60 feet deep, at the foot of J. Kajerawi or Ajerawi. As this well was not in regular use, the water tasted and smelt, but there was plenty of it.

Four miles on the track joins in with the main road previously described, about 5 miles S. of Doka.]

21. — АБУ-ХАРАЗ до ГЕДАРЕФА.

Подполковник Б. Р. Митфорд, март 1899 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Abu Haraz — — Half of a mile N. of junction of R. Rahad and Blue Nile. Track leads through the village in an E. direction, and 4 miles over a plain covered with grass 4 feet high after rains; then some bush is entered which necessitates reducing front of the column to file. The Rahad is from 1 to 1½ miles distant on right flank, its banks covered with a belt of jungle. Track consists of four to six camel tracks over cotton soil.

Meshra El Hedeiba

8 8 Half a mile before reaching this meshra, the road bends to the S.E.; 1¼ miles E. is the village of Hedeiba, and 2 to 3 miles N.E. is the village of Shegeila. A single flat-topped samr tree marks nearest point for water. A large pool of water always here during the dry season in the river bed. Track passes over grassy plain covered with the usual grasses met with along the road, viz.: aada grass, which grows in wet places as high as 18 feet, and naal, from 1½ to 3 feet high.

Id El Maya

2½ 10½ A descent of ½ mile brings one to this khor skirted with trees; the hamlet of that name lies 2 miles from the river; a meshra and pool here in the dry season. The hamlet of Amara lies 2½ miles N.E. Same country is traversed, with occasional belt of trees.

Khor Abu Seghira 5½ 16 Track passes this khor 1½ miles from the meshra, which is very difficult to find, owing to the jungle and the creepers festooned from tree to tree. No pool there this dry season.

Khoran El Homr 2 18 The “Red Khor,” of which there are three. The second one is 1½ miles on, and the third 1 mile further on. Each khor is thickly fringed with trees, bush, and high grass, after rains. The track is now some 3 or 4 miles from the Rahad. At 23½ miles another khor is crossed, and the ground rises into a stony plateau.

H. Sherif Yagub

6½ 24½ Track passes to E. of this village. Inhabitants are Ashraf.

M. El Egeiga

½ 25 Camping ground is on a bluff 40 feet above bed of river; a pool of water always here in the dry season. Natives say that in the winter months it is not a good camping ground, as it is very feverish at night. Country now becomes much more close, trees and bushes narrow the track in many places, and in the autumn the high grass obscures all view to front or flanks.

M. Abuet El Messih

5 30 This meshra is only 100 yards from the track, but the river is somewhat hidden by the jungle. Very unhealthy camping ground during the autumn and winter. Track continues through bush, with occasional open spaces.

M. El Esheir

3 33 Good camping ground near track, 500 yards from the river. Just after leaving this place, the Arang range can be seen in clear weather. Track as before.

Ein El Lueiga

7 40 Watering place here, on the Rahad, in the dry season; not a good camping ground during or after rains, there being much fever. The track now leaves the vicinity of the Rahad, and for the first 5 miles trends towards the N.E. corner of the Arang hills. The Kassala Province is entered here.

At the 48th mile a depression is passed, where a little water is sometimes found during the rains. Plain covered with grass 1 to 10 feet high in October, which from that month becomes broken down by the wind, and in March is only 2 feet high. Track twists and turns considerably until the hills are reached.

Galaat Arang 18 58 The track strikes these hills about 4 or 5 miles from its S. end; bush is again entered, and track becomes very stony and covered with fallen boulders from the hills.

The hills are mostly rock, covered with laot, and stunted baobab or tebeldi trees. Ariel, gazelle, bustard, guinea fowl, sand grouse, apes, and baboons in these hills. A mile on two pools of water are formed in a shallow rocky depression during rains, which is only fit for camels. Track follows the foot of the hills towards the N., through bush and over stony ground.

El Fau (Rest house) 9 67 Track passes through a gorge in the hills, wherein are the wells of El Fau, near the E. mouth of the gorge. One well, stone faced, 10 feet in diameter, 27 feet deep; surface of water 1 foot from top in October, 10 feet in March. The other, stone faced, 5 feet in diameter, 15 to 20 feet deep. Water, both good. There are several other wells in the vicinity during rains, and pools of water in holes and depressions.

Track runs along the E. foot of the hills to the N. point; bushy and stony.

North End Arang 5 72 Near the N.W. point of the Arang hills is H. Badad, or H. Sheikh Shah El Din; one well, now filled up. General direction of track is now N.E. To the S. is seen J. Fines, or Fenis, and to the S.E. is J. Sergein. Bush becomes very close; cotton soil.

J. Bayuda 8 80 Or Buwa’da, or Buwada’. A broad, low, conical hill; some water in rocky holes during the rains. Track now runs E. by S., and for the next 8 miles through thick bush; country then becomes more open and covered with grass again.

Ummat Rumeila (Rest house) 19 99 A group of some five or six hills, averaging 80 to 100 feet high. Some water in pools and holes during rains. The track passes in a N.E. direction through the hills; several patches of bush are traversed. At the 110th mile a narrow belt of laot trees, 10 yards broad, commences to run alongside or in the middle of the track; this belt follows the road for 13 miles.

Taras Wad El Fahl (Rest house) 20 119 A small depression, wherein water lies during rains. Two thorn bushes to S. of track mark it.

Khor Abu Hashim 7 126 A descent leads to this very shallow khor, and a similar rise takes place on its E. side. J. Tiwawa now becomes visible to the E. Track runs over a grassy plain with not even a shrub on it.

Khor Abu Faraga 11 137 Or Abu Fura. This khor rises near Gedaref, and at this point the track meets it; it here turns S. The track runs parallel with it for a mile, 2 to 400 yards distant. At the 139th mile ground falls gently.

Um Gulgia 3 140 A stony mound on left of the track containing several deep holes, said to contain enough water for 1,000 men and 500 camels during the rains.

Ground still falls gently, and a mile on a small khor is crossed; then ground ascends through small scattered soffar trees. At the 143rd mile the houses of Gedaref are visible. Track passes several hamlets on either side, and through much cultivation and high aada grass, along S. side of J. Tiwawa.

Gedaref 6 146 On top of a long gentle slope.

22. — ГЕДАРЕФ через ХАВАТУ до АБУ-ХАРАЗА.

Майор Балкли-Джонсон, ноябрь 1901 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Gedaref — — Road leaves Gedaref from behind the old barracks, and takes a S.W. direction for 6 miles. Scattered cultivation of every kind. A flat basin like that N. of Gedaref.

J. Wad Sennat 4½ 4½ Small hill 100 feet high and 500 yards long, running N.W. and S.E., with small hella S. slope.

Abu Nagar

1½ 6 Tukl village. ½ mile right of road; one of Abu Nagar group of five villages.

½ 6½ Ditto on left of road.

½ 7 Well 30 feet deep; water always, but only 6 feet deep; watered 80 horses in 30 minutes.

½ 7½ Hella ½ mile right of road. Road bends to S.W. by W.

1½ 9 Cultivation ends. Road bad from small bushes hidden in naal grass.

J. Matni 17 26 J. Matni ½ mile long, 50 to 100 feet high; stony and covered with habil trees. Woods round J. Matni (soffar and habil) to the E.

From J. Matni to Beila by direct road 2 miles are saved. After J. Matni road branches to right, straight to Beila; left to Ghanem or Ganam (meaning water holes).

Ghanem

3 29 Small khor and 12 water holes about 8 feet deep, and water 1 foot 6 inches (Nov. 15th); probably dry by end of month (1901), rain having been slightly under average.

2 31 Joins main road nearly at right angles.

15½ 46½ Small hill ¼ mile off the road. Road afterwards curls in between it and Beila to two small hellas on far side.

Beila[15]

½ 47 Two small villages and two splendid wells cut in solid rock; any amount of beautiful clear water all the year round[15], 50 feet deep; revetted at top; very good grasses here. From Beila a road now goes to Mafaya on the Rahad, which is much shorter than going to Hawata.

El Fereikh

5 52 Thirty tukls; inhabited all the year road; now water from holes dry in March, 1902.

J. Arid

5 57 Four water holes 6 inches deep, nearly empty on arrival; when opened up to 9 inches gave 3 feet muddy water. Nov. 17th watered 80 horses three times; dry in March, 1902.

J. Gerein — — Water nearly finished; 30 tukls inhabited all year round.[16] Later on get water from Rahad, which is here about 60 yards wide and water 4 feet deep in Nov. Banks steep.

Hawata

18 75 Very good camp. Fairly large village here.

Road follows the river, never more than 2 miles from it, cutting off small bends. Single track; good through long grass; bad for guns as wheels or teams are going through the grass. River approachable everywhere, and watering possible at all times of year.

Camps exceedingly good under shade of sunt trees 30-40 feet high. Grasses in abundance and good, neghil, abu rokba and abu arid.

From Hawata track proceeds along right bank and enters bush.

Wad Keriam

2½ 77½ Part of Hawata belonging to Abu Bakr; small hills; clearing and cultivation.

½ 78 Ten tukls, ditto, ditto.

Bush and grass alternately; thick bush, inland kittr and talh.

8 86 Grass plain. Bend of river meeting it again at

Wad Kerein

5 91 Fifty tukls belonging to Abu Sin, as does all the country up to hella Sherif El Hindi.

Wad Mayim or Wad Balula 2 93 Same as Wad Kerein.

8 101 Road crosses to left bank. Ford on Nov. 13th, about 3 feet deep; Nov. 24th, 6 inches deep. There is no road on E. bank, only thick bush. From here open grass plain, bush inland, ½ mile off river bends from road.

Between road and river a strip of country with big red sunt trees 30-40 feet high and good grasses. The road now strikes khor—thickly wooded leading to lagoon running W. from river, which turns to S.W., road goes round it turning W. and afterwards S.

7 108 Head of lagoon.

Muttu

½ 108½ Road branches to right of hella—Hawata (Arabs) 1½ miles off—300 yards from river in open bush.

1½ 110 Road to Muttu and meshra, 1 mile of thick bush, kitr and talh.

1 111 Khor (dry).

2 113 Big khor, nearly dry—very difficult during rains and up to Nov. 1st, 1901. Soft mud Nov. 27th.

2½ 115½ Small road to right, leading to big khor thickly wooded, water 4 feet deep or lagoon.

1½ 117 Khor (dry).

2½ 119½ Ditto leading to meshra.

Road alternately bush and grass.

6½ 126 Road branches to meshra.

6 132 Approaches meshra, 200 yards.

11 143 Deserted village, 100 yards left of road.

Road very good, broad and hard.

3 146 Cross road from Rahad to Dinder.

10 156 Ditto to Blue Nile.

1 157 Road from meshra to hella, inland 2 miles.

4 161 Opposite to Ein El Lueiga.

3 164 Road branches to right towards river—left to Sherif El Hindi.

Aruth Rutha 2 166 Road to Hella Aruth.

Hafeira 2½ 168 Hella; Arab encampment; flocks and herds.

Wad Rekeih 1½ 170 Hella, 100 yards right of road.

Sherif 2 172 Hella of Sherif Yusef El Hindi.

4½ 176½ Ford and road to Sherif Yakub. Road crosses river.

Abu Haraz 24½ 201 (Afterwards see map).

[Rahad ceased to flow Nov. 30th, 1901; only a slight trickle on 29th.]

23. — СОФИ через АБУ-ГУЛУД до СЕРАФ-САИДА.

Майор Г. де Х. Смит, февраль 1900 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Sofi — — Road goes down into khor and then winding through bushes and water courses follows crest of ridge between Atbara and Khor Gurri, then turns E. towards Kreder.

Kreder 6 6 A village of about 100 huts on spur above river, and not as shown on old maps.

Sherif Ibrahim

9 15 There is no road now; I went across country, crossing ravines bordering Atbara, camels followed edge of plateau about 5 hours’ march from Sofi. No village, only tombs of former inhabitants. Path leads from village to Meshra on Atbara.

Dabuli

12 27 Left Sherif Ibrahim in a S.W. direction, and after 1 hour struck old path from Sofi; followed this, and after 2 hours came on cultivation. A big khor runs in N.E. direction towards Atbara. There are old wells here and site of village. New wells are being opened.

Goreisha

15 42 Road now crosses khor above mentioned twice, and after 2 hours J. Tomborgu is passed on the right. From here road crosses three big khors, and in the next Khor J. Omrad, then cultivation of Goreisha is reached on left of road. Right side, thick bush. Another hour and Goreisha is reached; two villages with good wells and cultivation in khor.

Abu Gulud

4 46 Road now crosses and recrosses this khor, which runs from Abu Gulud; after half an hour village of Salama is passed on khor on right, and after half hour arrive at Abu Gulud. Two villages; wells and cultivation. From here a track goes to Doka.

Zemalat

20 66 Road leaves here in S.W. direction; about 1 mile Agala, a large village, is passed; about 4 miles on a rocky ridge; ditto about 8 miles; about 10 miles village Lubaina. Few huts here. People only here for cultivation; water from Zemalat village on crest or ridge. Water from holes in khor below village, about 1 mile away. From here a good view of hills near Doka and J. Nahut, J. Gadabi, and Ras El Fil obtainable.

Seraf Said

10 76 Road now descends from ridge, cotton soil and bad going; about 6 miles out J. Meriod is passed on right of track—village round other side of hill. Direct track leads off to right to village; bad going cotton soil. Rocky water hole in Meriod Khor not used now; about 10th mile cross Seraf Khor.

Two wells with water-tracks lead from here to Gallabat and Duraba, and the road from Doka joins here.

24. — ФАМАКА до АБУ-РАМЛЫ.

Майор К. У. Гвинн.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Abrunga — — The direct route is up the khor through the Samina group. Very little water among these hills and none on the road.

Belitamaru

14 14 About 1 mile north of the village and Belitamaru there are hills giving a little bed water in the Khor Godaff.

Matongwe

11 25 Matongwe is a small Gumz village among the rocks on the side and top of J. Matongwe. Good well at the foot of the mountain. The mountain is a very striking needle of rock jutting straight out of the plain.

J. Abu Ramla

12 37 No more water is found till J. Abu Ramla is reached, and even there it can only be obtained in any quantity from the Khor Ramla at north-east end of mountain. There are holes in the rock on the hill side, however, which supply the villages with drinking water.

Mek’s Village 3 40

Another route can be taken from Famaka along the Nile to Hoburra, and thence to Belitamaru through Abrunga, but the first portion of the road along the river is very bad.

25. — КАРКОДЖ до ХАВАТЫ.

Мистер Э. Бонэм Картер, март 1902 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Karkoj — — R. bank Blue Nile.

Kamrab

18 18 From Karkoj, a narrow but well defined track leads through bush, thick in places, to the village of Kamrab, half a mile beyond which is a well and trees giving excellent shade.

Abu Hashim

4½ 22½ The R. Dinder is reached at Abu Hashim (Sheikh El Amin), a village on the left bank. The Dinder 100 yards wide was dry here (March, 1902), but there were water holes in its bed.

Meshra Deberki

12½ 35 The road here crosses the Dinder and follows the river to Meshra Deberki. River dry here, and about 100 yards wide, but water holes in bed, and there is a large pool about ¼ mile up the river. No village here. Little shade at Meshra, but plenty ½ mile further up the river.

The track here leaves the river, and after crossing an open piece passes through thick bush for 2 miles, after which an open grassy plain with scattered bush extends for some distance.

The track is merely a single donkey track over deeply cracked cotton soil, and is bad going.

Khor Atshan 17 52 Khor Atshan is crossed; a shallow khor draining into the Dinder.

River Rahad

16 68 Track continues same with occasional bush to the Rahad; a few tukls here. Rahad in pools.

Hawata

3 71 Three miles on down stream, Hawata is reached on the right bank. Here there is a pool a ¼ mile long. Fine sunt trees.

26. — РОСЕЙРЕС до АБУ-ШАНЕЙНЫ по ПРАВОМУ БЕРЕГУ.

Майор К. У. Гвинн, инженерные войска, 1900 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Roseires — — Mamuria, about 50 feet above the river on one of the steep spurs, which form the escarpment between the general level of the country and the lower river bank. For the first 2 miles the road winds round these spurs close to the river. The road hilly. Then leaving the river it gets into flat country with thick thorn bush.

2¾ 2¾ Path leads to El Damazin, a small village on the river (not visited).

Abu Zago

2¾ 5½ Village lies to the east of the road and N. of the khor (not visited).

Khor Abu Zagoli

1 6½ A well defined channel 20 yards wide, banks 10 feet high, and steep. Halting place for water 200 yards S. of the khor. Water from the Nile about 1 mile. Cultivation at the mouth of the khor. Shelter tukls at halting place.

El Kharaba

3 9½ Three ways lead to the village which lies E. of the road not visited. Recognised camping ground, much overgrown with trees and little clear space. No tukls, ¼ mile to water. From here to about the 15th mile the river is inaccessible, country flat, road good. At 15 miles it approaches the river on a high bluff, and Dakhila can be seen. Thence road descends and would in the wet season be very swampy. Thick jungle.

Dakhila

8½ 18 Small village of about 30 tukls. Lies very low and has all the appearance of being feverish.

Water supply in the dry season from a muddy pool in a dried up channel, bad.

From Dakhila the road runs W. following the river, passing the spurs of J. Maba at about the 22nd mile, road hilly and stony. After passing Maba, country is more open.

Khor Abu Ge 7 25 Stony 100 yards wide, banks steep.

Khor Aiwani ½ 25½ 100 yards wide, thickly wooded, slopes easy.

Khor Yabis

½ 26 A well defined channel 20 yards wide, river within easy reach between Khor Aiwani and Khor Yabis.

Khor Yare 1½ 27½ A well defined channel 10 yards wide.

Abu Gemai

1½ 29 Rest tukls on high bank commanding a fine view of the river. Very good camping ground for small party. Water close, but road to it steep. Village of Abu Gemai on opposite bank, considerable cultivation. J. Fazogli visible.

After Abu Gemai the road leaves the river, and water is not obtainable for some way.

Khor Zarifa 4 33 Very stony, 25 yards wide, said to rise in J. Dimr, but more probably in J. Samina. Forms boundary between Fazogli and Roseires.

Khor Abu Gerin 4½ 37½ 15 yards wide, sandy. About 1 mile, and 2 miles further on are two small khors and dom palms begin.

Ardeiba

3 40½ Recognised halting place, but tukls burnt down. Water 200 yards distant. River narrows to about 150 yards, river bank consisting of shingle cliffs. Village of Ardeiba opposite scattered tukls with little cultivation.

Khor El Masella 1½ 42 Wide valley ½ mile, well defined channel in middle.

Khor El Ghana

2¼ 44¼ Road to Famaka goes straight on, that to Abu Shaneina turns down the bed of the khor and leads to the ferry. Very rough stony foreshore.

Abu Shaneina Ferry

¾ 45 One boat capable of taking horses. Crossing about 300 yards. Village consists of scattered tukls among cultivation. Starting place for most of the caravans to Beni Shangul and Fadassi. Gold coinage (native) obtainable, also sheep and dura. A few donkeys.

27. — СЕНГА через ДУРРАБУ до УМ-ЭЛЬ-РУГА.

Капитан Г. Ф. С. Амери, март 1903 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Mena — — Opposite to Senga, on R. bank Blue Nile, Sheikh Adlan, descendant of Fung Sultans of Sennar Fungs and Hawazma. Broad well, defined track, good going.

Lueisa (on Dinder) 15½ 15½ Sheikh Ali Wad Idris, El Hamada, and some Ashraf. At Lueisa also lives Sheikh El Agab, Head Sheikh of Dinder.

Track keeps away from river to cut off bends, direction about S.E. Cultivation near village.

Um Saba 7½ 23 Jungle closes in on both sides track after Kakum.

Khamisa 4½ 27½ Track well defined, soon after Khamisa enters bed of river, and comes out again same side. Cultivation at villages, dura and semsem.

Abu Hashim

7½ 35

El Hagar — —

Murafa

7½ 42½ Most of villages on Dinder are near pools, some have to dig for water in river bed.

Wad Bashush 2½ 45 Some game seen, oribi, reedbuck, &c.

Durraba

7½ 52½ Last inhabited place on Dinder.

Meshra Sherif

8 60½ Large pool.

„ Rekeba — — Path less clearly defined; black cotton soil, badly cracked; shadeless; tracks and droppings of elephants abundant from Duraba whole way up Dinder. After this see no more people on Dinder.

„ Abgir 5½ 66

Koka

— —

El Laban

— —

Refadik

12½ 78½ All places from Durraba onwards are only water pools, but were mostly hellets in old government days. Water on Dinder excellent throughout, pools more frequent higher up river.

Wad El Haj

11 89½ After Refadik country looks more interesting, and good deal of game seen, ariel plentiful, fresh elephant and buffalo tracks. From here a track made by game cuts across large bend of river for about 2 miles. The only means of progress for hamla after this is in bed of river. Sand heavy, but suits the camels well.

Meshra Gazar

5 94½

Khor Gelagu

10½ 105

„ Masawik 1½ 106½

Beit El Wahesh — —

El Dueim

7 113½

Semsir

2½ 116 Name applies to district around.

Um Bilbis

13 129

Um El Rug

4½ 133½ In this neighbourhood game is plentiful, such as elephant, buffalo, roan, hartebeest, tiang, ariel reedbuck, ostrich, warthog, &c. There are also heglig, talh, kittr, hashab, sunt, kakamot and suba trees. Forests much damaged by jungle fires all along Dinder.

28. — УСТЬЕ ХОР-ГЕЛАГУ (ДИНДЕР) до ГАЛЛАБАТА.

Капитан Г. Ф. С. Амери, март 1903 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total from Durraba.

Khor Gelagu

— 53½ A tributary on R. bank of Dinder, 53½ miles above Durraba.

Farsh El Ghani

— — Track (made by game) keeps away from Gelagu on R. bank, going pretty good; woods (not dense) alternating with large open plains, covered with high grass, called farshes. Ras Amer is a long shallow lake, the west end about 1 mile from Gelagu (which winds very much), at this time (March) 2 miles long E. and W. by 150 to 300 yards broad. East end about 2½ miles from Gelagu. Open plains; either end of lake swarming with game, water of lake very thick and slimy, with fishy taste owing to millions of pelicans, geese, &c. Gave several of our men sore throats.

„ „ Sanei — —

Maya Ras Amer (west end of) 6 59½

Camp 7½ 67 Strike N.N.E. for Rahad (camp on road), badly cracked cotton soil, yellow reed grass and sparsely scattered trees, but no obstacle to hamla marching in any direction across country, provided a couple of men go in front with axes to lop off branches.

Warre

10½ 77½ Strike Rahad at Warre, which like all places mentioned here on the Rahad, used to be flourishing hella in old government days, but now absolutely deserted, and nothing to show that human beings have ever been there.

Wad Dam 2½ 80

Wad Shusha

2½ 82½ River winds very much going alternately in every direction of compass, but doubtful if any time saved by marching through jungle on either bank-bed 50 to 80 yards wide.

Araki

6 88½ All these places are on good pools.

Deleib Mugda

4 92½ „ „ „

El Ebeik

4 96½ „ „ „

Wad Arud

5 101½ „ „ „

Um Dakin

2½ 104 „ „ „

Bed of river begins to be rocky in places and going rough and bad for loaded camels; pools more numerous, not over 40 yards wide in most places.

Mukleil

5 109 After here, better to march on R. bank, river bed stony.

Meshra Abid

12 121 Soon after M. Abid leave river and strike N.E. for Gallabat, soon strike on to track which goes from Gallabat to Hawata made by government last year. This road was made chiefly to enable cattle owners to take their cattle down Rahad, but they all prefer to go viâ Gedaref because of the lions. The road is used to a small extent by honey seekers from Gallabat. Cotton soil badly cracked.

Babikr

28½ 149½ No water till Babikr-hella; consists of several small groups of huts, cultivation, dukhn, semsem, cotton, dura. Inhabitants Takruris, Fors, Gunjara, &c. Country begins to be more undulating, red sandstone, alternating with bad cotton soil till Gallabat, stony in parts, bad going for camels.

Yunes

— — Village; well.

Basunda

6½ 156 „ „

Kurunkula — —

Wallak

14 170 Sheikh of Gallabat and of these villages—El Sheikh Sheraf Abdalla. Well.

Khor Otruk

9 179 Water in pool in khor.

Gallabat 5½ 184½

29. — ГАЛЛАБАТ до ВАД-МЕДАНИ через реку РАХАД.

Капитан К. Х. Льюин, март 1902 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Gallabat — — Route follows that to Gedaref as far as Khor Otruk.

Khor Otruk

6 6 Road here diverges to W., crossing Khor Yabis. Water in holes in khor to right of track under large ardeib tree. Road proceeds W. up valley through some cultivation passing village of Sultan.

Khor Yabis ½ 6½

Sultan ½ 7 Well in course of construction. Water not yet (March, 1902) found at 30 feet, but said to be near.

Road winds on through forest, up valley, high wooded hills on either side, crosses spurs and khors. Owing to loose stones and steep gradients, camels can only do 2½ miles an hour.

Ras El Fil 3 10 Track passes over low pass close under this hill, which is highest point of N. ridge, and descends gradually to

Wallak

2½ 12½ Wallak, a scattered village of Kunjaras, one well 40 feet, fair water, 2 rakubas, about 5 acres of cotton, and fair amount of other cultivation. Road proceeds over more level and open country, red gravel soil, and rises to a neck just S. of Kabushi.

Jebel Kabushi 1 13½ A conical grass covered hill. Path descends sharply to water in hollow to right of track, but nearly empty by middle of March.

Water

1 14½

Karnakala

½ 15 Village of Kunjaras. About 12 acres of cotton and considerable amount of other cultivation. Two wells in khor just under village, water at 6 feet good and plentiful. Rakuba by wells under ardeib tree. The Sheikh Ali Seru said he was a soldier with Gordon Pasha.

Track passes through village, turning S. just outside for a short distance.

Going not too good, stony, and as path is only used by donkeys, is narrow for camels, who stumble a good deal.

Khor Abu Jamfa 3 18 Open khor; small amount of water in holes.

Kuka

2 20 Village of Kunjaras. Water comes out of rock at bottom of deep rocky khor, which is overhung by large tebeldi tree of about 10 feet diameter. Road winds S. and then W. again, passing villages of Basunda and Yunis at about ½ mile interval. These draw their water from a deep rocky khor half way between Kuka and Basunda. Good rakubas at all of them.

Babikr

6 26 Going improves as this village is reached. Road still winds through forest country. Very little water left in well. Good rakuba. Sheikh describes this as half-way between Rahad and Gallabat. Track winds to S.W. and going becomes very bad again. Cotton soil, which gives under camels as they go along. Track very indistinct in places.

Domajura 9 35 Road winds between 2 stony low hills of this name. On W. side a well dug in the rock said to have been made by Sheik Saleh Bey, formerly of Gallabat. No water now, and a bad smell emanates from it.

Hag Bakhit 3 38 Track passes over low rocky column of this name. One mile N.W. is ruined Deim of brother of Saleh Bey. It lies on top of hill named Zurga.

Meshra Sirri or Abid (?) 9 47 Track gradually descends to River Rahad passing a few stony hillocks. Bad going, over cotton soil all the way. Meshra 2 miles N. of steep rocky hill Jebel Surur.

Good camping ground in zeriba. A certain number of nomad inhabitants who come down to fish appear to make this a halting place. Water clear, good, and pool deep. Swarms with fish and crocodile, and from tracks appear to be favourite watering place of much game, including elephant and lion.

From Babikr there cannot be said to be any defined track. The way is shown by blazed trees and stumps of trees cut down by clearing party. The whole way practically is bad going, both for camels and donkeys, owing to rotten black cotton soil. Camels go at a slow walk only. From Kuka onwards the route is waterless, but there are plenty of likely looking places where water might be found if wells were dug.

From Meshra Sirri, route runs roughly N.W. along right bank of Rahad, it is marked by blazed trees here and there. At times going very bad over cotton soil. Camels get along with difficulty at slow walk. Sometimes going is good, but only for short time.

Meshra Kakamut

11¾ 58¾ Plenty of water in pool; good shade; zeriba; banks very steep down to water and difficult for camels.

Meshra Myat Bringi

1½ 60¼ Track rises on to a broad low bank by riverside, which is evidently an island when river is in flood.

Meshra Ghaba Susa

2¼ 62½ Zeriba, water ¼ mile up stream, small amount, and very green.

Bendego

2¾ 65¼ Zeriba and meshra. Banks very steep down to water. Quarter mile further on the track passes group of 11 very large tebeldi trees, one of which has diameter 21 feet.

Meshra tebeldi

6½ 71¾ Zeriba by large tebeldi tree, water ¼ mile up stream, very steep bank and not much shade.

Meshra Sangafut

3 74¾ Sangafut, an island in stream when river is in flood. Pool ¼ mile up stream. Banks steep down to pool. Good shade just above. Meshra not at all apparent from road. Zeriba can be seen from road, is built on the bank and is half way between water and island of Sangafut. Water plentiful.

Between this and Ghaba Susa track passes across several shallow khors but no water in them.

Meshra Deresa

7½ 82¼ Half a mile from meshra, and zeriba track strikes river at spot where broad belt of long grass intervenes between it and river bed. Follows curve of river round on high ground to zeriba, which is at a spot on the curve where the river is running from N.E. to S.W. Very steep path down to water immediately to W. end of zeriba, which was impossible for camels, but one just possible ¼ mile E. of zeriba. Water plentiful in pool and good. From here on trees decrease in size and become less dense. Guide said this was formerly a large village and a battalion was stationed here, which was cut up by Abyssinians 35 or 40 years ago. The place was destroyed by Dervishes. The town was ½ mile N.W. of meshra and zeriba. Several lions heard here.

Wad Betul

2½ 84¾ Meshra, no zeriba, road immediately above stream, and country much more open here. From here blazing of trees is discontinued, and direction has to be kept (1902) by compass and stream. Rate of progress cannot be reckoned at more than 2 miles per hour.

Khor Semsem

7½ 92¼ Broad shelving grass-grown khor running in direction from N.E. to S.W. runs into river here. Bad meshra just N.W. of it, little shade, and very steep banks. Water green. 1½ miles from Semsem the river bed widens and becomes muddy—until now it has always been sandy—very good grass grows on the part from which water has receded.

Island (name unknown) 3 95¼ River doubles back and runs nearly S.E. and flows round an island. Track follows several broad and very grassy and bushy khors which caused wide détours.

2¼ 97½ Good spot for camp immediately above a large pool. Banks steep and thickly wooded, though immediate site of camp clear.

The island seems to come to an end about ¼ mile further down stream. From here the track becomes plain again, the tree felling and blazing is regular and systematical, and easily followed. Going improves and camels can occasionally trot. Country becomes more open and track crosses several shallow khors.

Meshra Abrakuba

6 103½ Track strikes river at a broad re-entrant bend. Plentiful supply of water and gently shelving banks easy for any animals to water. Good camping and grazing ground by the river.

Shammam

— — A small tukl village of Dinka colonists. Sheikh Dik Malek. Is situated to left of track on rising ground among trees above river. Dura cultivation shows its presence at some distance from the track, from which it is itself invisible. Poor supplies; a little dura was obtained after some difficulty. Water good and plentiful.

From here track bends inland from river crossing the shallow khors of Wad Bikr and Malwia. The track is indistinct and hard to follow owing to clearing having been done in most erratic fashion. Camels have to proceed at a walk. After 7½ miles track, strikes the river again, which is dry here, and is running round a large island, Geziret Fatna. Two miles further on comes

Meshra Geziret Fatna

9½ 119 A large shallow pool rapidly drying up. Track runs along this pool for about 1 mile over rough going where the two branches of the river round Geziret Fatna re-unite and track strikes N. and then trends round to river again, striking it at Wad El Kashedi.

Wad El Kashedi

2½ 121½ A good pool, but banks steep, looks as if an old canal formerly ran into river from W. Jebel Mogadad appears in distance in E. direction. Going still bad. Cotton soil, but fewer trees.

Track follows close to river bank, water occasionally in pools, but banks steep. Two miles from Hawata track improves and enters belt of trees through which it is well cleared. Some cultivation about in cleared patches.

Hawata 7½ 129 Fair-sized tukl village of Hamadas. Fair supplies and good pool of water immediately beside village. Track from here improves greatly. It is well cleared and camels can trot. The journey from Gallabat to Hawata cut the feet of 4 out of 5 camels so badly that they were unable to proceed further. Between Meshra Sirri and Hawata game very plentiful. Numerous tracks of elephants; lions were heard each night. Giraffe seen twice. Ariel frequently seen in enormous herds of over 100. North of Hawata no more lions or elephants, and ariel became scarce. I saw natives coursing gazelle, and they say they hunt a good deal.

Girbu

2 131 From Hawata, track winds through trees and long grass to small tukl village on river bank with some scattered tukls further on. Country opens out into large grass plains dotted with bushes and clumps of trees.

Nuwar

8 139 A small tukl village to left of track some way back from river. Jebel Beila at right angles to track, N.E.

Wadi Nagami

3 142 A new tukl village of Hamadas rapidly springing up. Over 30 tukls already built. People said to be returning from khors and jebels round. A few sheep, no camels.

Mafasa

1 143 Another rapidly increasing village of Hamadas. Signs of old tukls shown. There are now over 30 new ones.[18] Sheep and oxen, but no camels. About ¼ mile from river. A little dura cultivated. From here, track passes through grass plains and trees for 3 miles, and then gets into thick bush country for another 3 miles, rising slowly the whole time till it suddenly emerges on top of cleared, broken, and hillocky ground, from which it descends sharply into and crosses the river bed which is dry here. After crossing the river track turns S.W. following round S. edge of a dry shallow branch of the river, which is lined thickly on either bank by good-sized trees through which path winds and gradually works round to N.E. direction.

Abraham

6 149

Muttu

5 154 Meshra and various shifting tukl villages, some inhabited, some deserted. People appear to come here to build tukls before the rains begin, sow and reap dura on open spaces between the trees, and then move on. From here track is well defined though crossed by numerous other tracks. Trees, except on immediate river bank, cease.

Karakeila

¾ 154¾ Meshra, track to it branches off to right.

Abbas

4½ 159¼ Meshra, invisible from the path. Good pool and shade; from this, track resumes N.W. direction.

Bir el Gamal

16¾ 176 Road forks here into an eye shape. Good meshra and distinct road down to it. It is under high trees which show on N. side of track on river bank about ¼ mile off.

Ghabat 4½ 180½ Deserted tukl village of 40 huts. Jebel Arang is sighted bearing N.E.

5 185½ A track turns off N.E. to Jebel Arang, and one bears to left running direct to Hafar. Main track leads on to Meshra Kheiari.

Meshra Kheiari

6½ 192 A good meshra with fair shade. Meshra El Gelma at 191½ mile found dry. Large numbers of camels about here grazing. From here, track to Wad Medani leaves Rahad and runs nearly due W. on leaving the river, trees and shrubs soon cease and cotton soil plain is crossed to Kheiari a deserted village of about 40 tukls; a deep well of about 6 feet diameter has been dug, but is now dry. Track continues W. over plain, ground rising slightly to Hafar.

Hafeira

4½ 196½ Large tukl village over 100 tukls all well built. Inhabited by different tribes: Jaalin (few) Hawazma, Rufaa. One well supplies whole village, 72 feet deep and about 6 feet wide, very good water in it. Said never to run dry. Few cattle and sheep and other supplies. Like all other places between this and Gedaref it was laid waste by Ahmed Fedil on his march to join the Khalifa.

From Hafar track runs W. over cotton soil, is clearly marked. Clumps of trees and bushes in places.

Shebaga 14 210½ Small tukl village, few inhabitants.

Alarebab

9 219½ Track strikes Blue Nile about 1 mile N. of Alarebab, and opposite Wad Medani. Ferry across to left bank.

Wad Medani ½ 220

30. — МАРШРУТ ПО ГОЛУБОМУ НИЛУ — КАРТУМ до ФАЗОГЛИ.

Капитан Г. Ф. С. Амери, март 1903 г.

Place. Miles. Description.

Inter-mediate. Total.

Khartoum — — Up to Soba, cultivation good on both banks, though confined to a narrow strip—Sakias numerous.

Buri 3 3 L.

Kuku 1½ 4½ R.

El Gereif 2 6½ Island here at low Nile.

Karkoj 1¼ 7¾ R.

Um Dom Island 2 9¾ ½ mile above the island are the hillas of Um Dom R. and El Hagirat L.

Soba 4 13¾ On the R. are the ruins of the capital of the once flourishing kingdom of Alwa; on the L. a small village. Soba is the name of the district on both sides of the river, and continues to Soba El Taib a village 3 miles further S. on the R. bank.

Butri 4 17¾ Two villages of this name L. the other is 1 mile further N. From here on for many miles the character of the country does not change. The eastern bank is covered with thick, low thorn jungle, while the western bank is open and sandy, very little scrub and half grass. There are patches of cultivation round the villages, and when the water falls, a narrow strip by the foreshore of the river is cultivated with heavy crops of dura, lubia, sesame, melons, and vegetables. Some of the islands also are under cultivation.

Eilafun 3 20¾ Wood station and village L., a track leads from here to Geili about 75 miles. About ¼ mile inland on the L. is the Government rest house of Sabil.

Dueikhla 1½ 22¼ R.

Bageir ¼ 22½ L.

Bageir Sharg 2½ 25 R.

Bageir 1 26 L. Another small village of the same name.

El Shereig 2 28 R.

El Gedid 1½ 29½ L. First of three villages of same name extending for 1½ miles S. Cultivation round the villages.

Awag El Darb 3¼ 32¾ L. Between here and Masadia, a short distance inland on R. bank is the village of Sheikh El Obeid.

Masadia 2½ 35¼ L.

El Nuba 2½ 37¾ L. Largish village ½ mile from river.

Mahas Island, N. end ¾ 38½

Mahas, S. end 2¼ 40¾

Maid 1 41¾ Large village L. with Rest house on river bank and large mosque.

Alti 1½ 43¾ L.

El Nur 1 44¼ L.

Um Magad 3¾ 48 L.

El Tikena 2 50

Bishagra Island 1½ 51½ Villages L. and R. The one on L. large with three mosques. Former Dervish depôt and powder factory.

Fogur 1 52½ L. Small village.

Eidag 1¼ 53¾ R.

Takela ¾ 54½ L.

Sayal ½ 55 R.

Wad El Turabi 3 58 L.

Wad Esheib 1½ 59½ R.

Belula Kasembar ¾ 60¼ L.

Kalkol 1¾ 64½ L. Opposite S. end of island of same name.

Kamlin

2½ 64½ L. Head quarters of the Blue Nile Province, a large and growing village with market place, post and telegraph offices, and a good rest house in a grove of date palms at N. end of village. Inhabitants Jaalin and Danagla. More cultivation from here S. Country also much more wooded. Rest house.

Metemma 1½ 66 R. 1 mile inland. The road on the R. bank to Rufaa goes inland viâ the villages of Metemma, Branko and Deim.

Hamed El Nil 5½ 71½

Branko ½ 72 Some way inland R.

Um Degersi ½ 72½ L. Two villages close together.

Abd El Magdi 1 73½ L.

Helalia 2 75½ R. Large village.

Abu El Ashr 1½ 77 L. Helawin district commences here.

Bueida Island 3½ 100½

Hegeir 3 103½ R.

Wad Abu Furur 3½ 107 L. Large village with Government Rest house. R. bank wooded.

Hassa Hisa

4¾ 111¾ L. Commonly called Hassai, largish village, the direction of the river after this is N.E. to Rufaa. Hassai and Rufaa being at the points of the curves of the S. known as the Rufaa bend. Rest house.

Rufa’a 5 116¾ R. Wood station. Former grain stores. Ali Wad Abu Sin, and Wakil el Amin Abu Sin, SS. Alla Hemrab L. Rufa’a is said to be the second largest town on the Blue Nile. It stands some little way back from the river, and is a fairly populous place. Its inhabitants are a branch of the Shukria tribe of Arabs, and call themselves Rufaa-Shukria. Good crops are raised on the foreshore and islands in the vicinity, and melons are cultivated, upon an extensive scale on the flats up-stream of the town. The river here is very wide and shallow, and navigation in summer is extremely difficult.

Amara 2 118¾

Abid 1 119¾ L.

Ereibab 4 122¼ R. About 1½ miles inland.

Wad Belal 4½ 126¾ L.

Fadassi 4 130¾ L. Large village and Rest house. Good garden on river bank belonging to Omda of village.

Fadassi Amrab 2 132¾ L.

Tayiba 3 135¾ L.

Hamid El Nil 1½ 137¼ R.

Abu Haraz 1½ 138¾ Starting place of caravan road to Gedaref.

Abu Ushur ¾ 139½ R. Mouth of River Rahad. Water differs little from that of Blue Nile; rather more vegetable organic matter. Jungle begins both banks. This river, which rises in the N.W. slopes of the Abyssinian mountains, brings down a large volume of water when in flood. It enters the Nile at an angle of 70°, and its bed in February was 3 feet higher than the water surface of the Blue Nile at that time. The Rahad, with the exception of a few pools, is dry for many months of the year. Its banks at the junction are steep and high, quite 39 feet over the bed, which has a width of 71 yards. The flood-marks show that the rise of the Rahad is from 15 to 19 feet in height. The Blue Nile at this junction forms an “S” curve, taking a sharp bend to the W., and again another to the E. Its width, is measured, 595 yards. The banks of the Rahad River are covered with thick and dense jungle, as are both banks of the Blue Nile in this reach. Shortly before Wad Medani is reached, the W. bank becomes open again, but the forest on the E. bank is continuous.

Wad Medani 5 144½ L. Large and flourishing town, largest in Sudan after Omdurman. Head quarters of Sennar Province. Post and telegraph offices. A few European shops and good market. Civil population about 30,000. Soil limestone with sand and gravel—healthy; Mosque with high tower. Country S. of Wad Medani becomes thick jungle especially on E. bank.

From Wad Medani the shortest road to Sennar leaves the river and goes inland by Sariba, Wad Shenan, &c., meeting the river again at Danagila.

Goz El Fil 5 149½ On island.

Ereibab 1 150½

Kurdugeili 5 155½

Ganneb 6½ 162 L. About 1¼ miles from R. bank is Shabarga, the nearest point to R. Rahad at H. Sherif Yakub; about 7 miles across.

Bagadi 2 164 L. Large village.

Abd El Karim 6½ 170½ R.

H. Sherif Desis Yusef

1¼ 171¾ L. Rest house.

Doliba 1¾ 173½ L.

El Beriab 4½ 178 L. Large village on river bank in open ground. Supplies plentiful.

Mouth of River Dinder 2 180 Larger and more important river than Rahad. Breadth at mouth 120 yards (see page 114, Vol. I).

Hamed 6 186 L. Three miles inland is the large village of Shukaba.

Abu Sogra 6¾ 192¾ L.

Danagila

5½ 198¼ L. Distant from Wad Medani by direct road 31½ miles. Rest house.

Santobar 2 200¼ L.

Banat 2 202¼ L.

Barsi El Fadl 2¼ 204½ R.

Wad El Dai 3 207½ L.

Wad El Haddad ½ 208 L.

Wad El Abbas

6½ 214½ R. Rest house.

Meshra El Hagirat

5 219½ L. Rest house.

Habbania 1 220½ L.

Shambata 5 225½ R.

Deim El Mashaikh 5½ 231 L.

Sharif 1½ 232½ R.

Sennar 2½ 235 L. Now in ruins and deserted, old mosque with high tower still standing. Vide Vol. I. Rest house at Kabush.

Abu Geili — —

Kassab El Amin 9 244 R. Opposite large island.

Shekh Talha

6½ 250½ R. Rest house.

Ereidiba 2 252½ R.

Ereidiba 2½ 255 L. About 2 miles inland—large village.

Abdin

4 259 L. Rest house.

Abu Shoka 3 262

Dakhla Shellal 7 269 L.

Rammash 8 277 L.

Mena Yusef 6 283 R.

Wad El Ghazali 2 285 L.

Senga

2 287 L. Headquarters of a District and Detachment of Regular Troops here. Rest house.

Mena 1 288 R. People: Fungs and Hawazma; the sheikh Adlan is the descendant of the Fung sultans of Sennar. From here a direct road goes to Lueisa on the R. Dinder, distance about 16 miles.

El Gazair 6½ 294½ R.

Brodras 7½ 302 R.

Karkoj

5 307 R. Rest house. A large straggling village, surrounded by bush and tall grass. It is close to the river, the banks of which are steep. Inhabitants very poor and of various tribes:—Kongeri, Ashraf, Moghrabi, Kamatir, Jaalin and Agalin. Village on high ground, with small khors at intervals running into the river. Soil, limestone mixed with sand and alluvium—subsoil 9 to 10 feet from surface. Three small springs of clear water appear at south end of village, and reach the surface of the steep bank 9 feet from the top. On the L. bank in Nov. there is a large stagnant lagoon, which probably increases the unhealthiness of the site.

One hundred and ten hours by steam from Khartoum.

Karkoj used to be an important trading centre in the old days for gum arabic, tamarinds, cattle, cotton, coffee (from Abyssinia), vegetables, &c. This used to be the last place where one could lay in stores for further travel.

The river here is at high Nile 470 yards broad, average depth 23 feet, current 5 miles per hour; at low Nile the figures are 330 yards, 8 feet, and 1¼ miles respectively.

Surroundings bare. Woods, chiefly acacia, &c., begin at some distance off.

(Marno took 25 days in a nugger from Khartoum to this point, in February.)

The Upper Sennar negro race, the Hameg, now begin to populate both banks; a dirty, indolent race.

From Karkoj upwards both banks are highly cultivated and fertile, but only on the narrow strip which is liable to inundation at flood time. Camels become gradually replaced by donkeys and oxen. Too damp for horses; many mosquitos and poisonous flies (serút). Much rough cloth woven.

Track on R. bank lies through cultivation and occasional thick woods.

Seiru

3 310 L. Rest house.

Zumorka 6 316 R.

Lanni 1 317 L.

Abu Tiga

10½ 327½ R. On main track from Karkoj to Roseires. Rest house.

Barankwa ½ 328 L. Swarms of birds in autumn. Water channel 700 yards.

Abu Naama

1½ 329½ L. Rather less vegetation; soil contains much iron peroxide. Reported immune from fever. Rest house.

Rumeila 3 332½ L.

Tangaru 1½ 334 L. El Lakandi R.

Regeiba

6 340 L. Rest house.

Bunzoga

8½ 348½ R. Boat building yard (?). Two miles before this the Khor El Malwai comes on L., and a track goes from there to J. Gule. Rest house.

H. Sherif Ahmed 24 372½ R. Well-known point on river. Cultivation considerable.

Bados

11 383½ R. Rest house.

El Gereif

7 390½ R. Village up a back-water. Broad conspicuous belt of dom palms begins, and continues along ridge to Roseires. Rest house.

El Karori 2½ 393 R. On L. is mouth of Khor Dunia.

Abu Ramad 9 402 L.

Roseires[19]

3 405 R. End of telegraph. Headquarters of a District and residence of British Inspector; small garrison, post and telegraph offices. Old Roseires lies 3 miles further north. Hilly ground, thick dom palms along banks. Mimosa woods to the E. Plenty of game. Obstructions in the river begin some miles before here, and this is the limit of navigation for steamers or boats. About 2 miles south begin the Roseires cataracts. Malarial fever prevails during October and November. The soil here is composed of alluvium overlying granite, in which the quartz and mica are small-grained, evenly distributed throughout, with a minimum of felspar. Less frequently the blocks are of large grained quartz, combined with felspar. The granite has been extensively disintegrated.

Abu Zoghali

8 413 R. Mouth of khor of same name. Rest house.

El Dakhla

11 424 R. Best camping ground is where hospital was established after fight with Ahmed Fedil, 25th December, 1898. The village is over a mile from the river inland. Village Iwan marked on map is deserted. Latter part of road is thick jungle, and several deep khors intersect the path. Rest house.

Abu Gemai

12½ 436½ L. Abu Gemai, village on W. bank, about 20 people. Rest house. Sheikh el Imam Ramadan. Open road the greater part of the way, but there are several deep khors bounded by thick jungle. In 11th mile you come to watering place, Ardeiba.

Ardeiba 11 447½ R. Watering place.

Abu Sheneina

3½ 451 L. Abu Sheneina, a village on W. bank, about 200 people; Sheikh Abd el Wahid Abu Shenein. Rest house.

Famaka 9 460 R. The latter part of road is very rough indeed, going over shoulder of J. Fazogli; very steep and rocky about 2 to 3 miles.

Fazogli 1 461 L. Easy path.

[10] Здесь нет воды, январь 1901 г.

[11] Сейчас (1904 г.) здесь есть колония арабов баггара, которые были отправлены в этот район после падения Омдурмана (1893 г.).

[12] Эта дорога недавно была выпрямлена и улучшена.

[13] Не та же самая, что Дурраба на Диндере.

[14] Этот отчет о старом маршруте. Новый маршрут временами следует по старому, а временами по телеграфной линии, но места водопоя на обоих маршрутах одинаковые.

[15] 28 марта 1902 года в колодце было всего несколько дюймов воды, и потребовался час, чтобы напоить 13 верблюдов, используя 2 гирбы. — (Бонэм-Картер).

[16]Uninhabited in March, 1902 (Bonham-Carter).

[17] Некоторые названия в этом отчете, вероятно, будут неизвестны многим проводникам.

[18] Мафаса быстро развилась и сейчас (1904 г.) должна стать штаб-квартирой округа.

[19] Дома для отдыха на левом берегу между Регейбой и Росейресом находятся в М. Гурре, Мойя-Ахмар, Абкоке и Эль-Дисе; на правом берегу, между Эль-Герейфом и Росейресом, в Магангани.

ГЛАВА V.

(ЦЕНТРАЛЬНЫЙ СУДАН.)

31. — КАРТУМ до ВАД-МЕДАНИ, СЕННАРА, СЕНГИ и КАРКОДЖА, вверх по левому берегу ГОЛУБОГО НИЛА.

Составлено на основе отчетов майора де Ружемона и капитана Г. Ф. С. Амери.

Исправлено по состоянию на 1904 г.

Между Хартумом и Вад-Медани есть дома для отдыха в следующих местах: Сабил, Масид, Камлин, Хасса-Хиса и Меселлемия; эти места находятся в среднем на расстоянии около 18 миль друг от друга. Плата за ночь, выплачиваемая ответственному шейху, составляет 5 пиастров, взамен чего предоставляются ангариб, зир и вода. Яйца, молоко, птица и т. д. обычно можно достать, но они, конечно, не включены в 5 пиастров.