"January 30.-The fleet joined in sections during last night and to-day.
Set to work with the long-handled hoes, and cut a channel through the
shallows for fifty yards, and took the vessels forward.
"January 31.-Cut a channel through the shallows, but we could not get
the steamer along.
"February 1.-About 1,200 men at work cutting a channel and towing the
steamer and noggurs through. The diahbeeah and two noggurs passed ahead
for about a mile. We then stopped to await the steamer and other vessels
that were delayed by the powerful current.
"February 2.-Stopped all day waiting for the steamer about a mile ahead
of the noggurs. When we left the dubba, I had left a letter in a bottle,
addressed to Tayib Agha, to order him to come on without delay, and
deepen the channels we have cut, should it be necessary.
"February 3.-The steamer came up at 10 a.m. At 10.45 the diahbeeah made
sail, and after two miles was delayed by a small sudd. Care must be
taken to sail by the west branch of the two streams, as there is no
water in the east channel.
"For six miles we have had nothing but shallows. Even at this season
there is only a depth of four feet in many places, and a month hence the
river will be impassable.
