26th of Safa.  Remained fast by the shore for the whole of this day, the wind being ahead.  The country on the west bank of the river, where we stopped, is fine, but deserted by the inhabitants.  Some of the boat’s company, who went up the country in search of provisions, reported that they had seen the ruins of a temple, containing fragments of columns of black granite.  I determined, in case the wind on the morrow should continue unfavorable, to visit this place.  They also had met a party of fifteen armed men, who informed them that they belonged to this country, but had been compelled to quit it, and fly, by the brigands of Shageia, who had infested and ravaged the country, but had returned on hearing that the Pasha Ismael had defeated and expelled these robbers, and had invited every fugitive peasant to return home, giving them assurance of future safety and protection.  We were alarmed this evening by the report of several musket shot, which appeared to come from the other side of the river, where, we had been told, still lurked some of the brigands.  Prepared our arms to be ready in case of attack, but passed the night unmolested.

27th of Safa.  Early in the morning, quitted the shore with a fair wind, and proceeded on our voyage; Dongola being, we were told, but half a day’s distance from us.  The appearance of the country still the same.

28th of Safa.  Made but little way today, the wind being light.  About the middle of the afternoon, put to shore on the east bank of the river, as there appeared to be no villages in sight on the other shore, and we were in want of provisions.  The country we saw to-day is very good, and covered with trees, but sparely inhabited.

The country where we landed was, however, tolerably well cultivated by the inhabitants of several villages hereabouts.  The soil, where it was not cultivated, was completely covered with trees, generally of no great height, and with bushes and long rank grass.  The habitations of many of the inhabitants could with difficulty be found; they are frequently nothing but a rough arbor formed in the thickets.  We had continual reason to be surprised, that a country naturally so rich should be so thinly populated and so carelessly cultivated.  The people, however, appeared to be content with raising enough for their subsistence, and to desire nothing beyond this.  Our money they did not value; they would give us nothing for money, but the flour of Egypt readily obtained what they could spare.

29th of Safa.  At sunrise left the land with a fair and strong wind, and proceeded up the river with rapidity.  In about two hours passed what appeared to be the ruins of a large fortified city, situated on a commanding eminence on the east bank of the river.  Shortly after, put to shore on the west bank of the river, the wind having increased to a gale, and the east side towards the city, just mentioned, being inaccessible on account of the shoals that lined it.