board a native of the country to show him the passage through the rocks and shallows, attempted to pass immediately; the effort was unsuccessful.  After remaining in the foaming passage for three quarters of an hour, we found that the wind was not strong enough to force the boat through the current, and as the sun was about setting and the wind falling, the Rais was obliged to let the boat drift back to the shore from whence we had departed.

18th of Safa.  At about two hours after sunrise, the Rais thought the wind sufficiently favorable and strong to carry the boat through the rapid.  We quitted the shore, and again faced the current.  The Rais this time was not mistaken; our boat forced her way slowly but victoriously through the torrent, and in about three quarters of an hour carried us safely into smooth water, where we could draw every advantage from a fine wind, which swept us rapidly up the river between shores fertile and cultivated by the inhabitants of a continued succession of villages shaded by palm trees.  About an hour after we had passed the rapid, we stopped to receive on board three of our company who had left the boat yesterday in search of fresh provisions on the western bank of the river.  They reported that they had seen a large pond of fresh water inland, and had found the country for seven miles from the river crowded with villages, and as fertile as possible.  They represented that this country was watered by two ranges of water-wheels; one range on the bank of the river, which threw the water of the Nile into small canals leading to reservoirs inland, from whence the other range took it up and distributed it to this fine territory.  About noon we passed, on the east bank, two very high, large and isolated rocks of irregular and picturesque forms.  On the side of the southernmost were the remains of a considerable fortified town.  The country hereabouts is very beautiful.  About three o’clock we passed another rapid, which was not however very difficult.  Found the river beyond this place much narrowed and impeded by rocks.  Passed two more rapids, the first of little consequence, but the latter somewhat dangerous.  In this last rapid saw two boys sitting on a raft made of cornstalks lashed together, and driving down the current.  They appeared to be much at their ease, and not at all alarmed at the rapid, though the current frequently whirled their fragile raft round and round as it rushed past us.  Soon after passing this rapid the sun set, and we put to shore to pass the night.

19th of Safa.  About two hours after sunrise we left the shore with a fair and fresh breeze.  The river here is broad, and the country on both banks fertile and peopled.  After about an hour’s sail we came up with some beautiful islands, one of them very large and among the finest we had seen.  The islands above the Second Cataract are probably the most beautiful spots watered by the Nile, which rarely over flows them.  They are the most populous and best cultivated parts of this country.  Half an hour after we came up with the large island, the wind became squally, and the boat could not make safe progress.  Our rais therefore put to shore, as did those of five other boats in company with ours.  We remained here for the rest of the day.