- Hauled the dingy over the marsh, and explored the old
channel for a distance of fifty minutes. Thank goodness, this was clear
to that point, a distance of about two miles; but at length we were
stopped by vegetation. The latter is of a light character, and can be
easily removed. Clouds of mosquitoes; the dew very heavy at night.
"Shot a Baleniceps Rex, with rifle.
"January 10. - At day-break we distinguished eight sail on the northern
horizon.
"January 11. - Brisk north wind. Raouf Bey arrived in the evening.
"January 12. - Started and passed the choked river with much difficulty,
and entered the channel of last year's clearing.
"January 13. - We only made about two miles yesterday and to-day, being
stopped by vegetation.
"January 14. - Cutting partially, but the channel is much improved since
last year. Made two and a half miles.
"January 15. - Made three-quarters of a mile, and having reached the lake
Timsah (crocodile lake) we found the river blocked up; we therefore cut
our way into an open but shallow channel which last year was impassable
from want of depth.
"January 16.-The diahbeeah went ahead, but the steamer and heavy vessels
were much delayed by shallows. I went on and determined upon the
passage, the open lake being visible about 600 yards distant.
"January 17.-Made about 300 yards of heavy cutting through rafts of
vegetation. The lake of last year nearly choked up; about 100 acres of
rafts having completely destroyed it.
"January 18.-Cut about 350 yards, and at 3.30 p.m. we entered the lake.
From the mast-head it appears that an unbroken sheet of water now exists
for some miles. I trust this may be true, and that no mirage deceives
us.
"January 19.-Sailed four miles, at which place we found a new channel
coming from the south, while our channel of last year from south-east
appeared to be closed at half a mile distance. Explored the new channel
for about two miles; in appearance it was a river of 200 or 300 yards
wide. At length we arrived at a sudd of small dimensions with open water
beyond. We returned to the junction, and passed the night at a sudd half
a mile up our old channel.
"January 20.-At 7 a.m. I took the dingy, and with much difficulty pushed
about a mile through the grass until I found the whole country closed by
vegetation. I think the river has opened a new channel, and that the
passage of yesterday will take us to nearly the same spot above the sudd
that we reached by another route last year.
"Many vessels having arrived, I visited the Englishmen and physicked
Ramsall and Mr. Higginbotham. At 4.15 p.m. we started, poling round the
angle to enter the new channel discovered yesterday. In the evening we
all sailed with a light breeze, and found the river open for three and a
half miles ahead. Halted for the night.
"January 21.-The river being closed ahead, I took the dingy, and after
much trouble succeeded in reaching our old channel in the clear river.
Having started at 7 a.m., I returned at 1 p.m. I had sounded the channel
the whole distance, and I have determined to cut a passage through
to-morrow.
"January 22.-Cut 350 yards through heavy sudd. Last year this piece was
600 yards. We at length reached the small lake where we last year buried
the two artillerymen in an ant-hill.
"January 23.-I took the diahbeeah a mile and a quarter up the river,
while the fleet was being squeezed through our spongy channel.
"January 24.-Yesterday the five vessels that were left behind by Raouf
Bey arrived, and the fleet assembled.
"I am in great anxiety about Tayib Agha who has twelve vessels with him,
none of which are yet in sight.
"This black colonel is not clever, and should an accident occur, he will
be at a loss how to act. Julian is unwell with fever, but Higginbotham
is better.
"I went a long way in the dingy, and succeeded in finding the true
channel of the stream by probing with the twelve-foot pole through the
grass. To-morrow we shall begin cutting, as the whole country is closed.
"The tree that marks the open water of last year is about a mile and a
half distant. There is a solitary dry spot near this, the heart of
desolation - a tumulus of about half an acre, like the back of a huge
tortoise, is raised about five feet above the highest water level. Upon
this crocodiles love to bask in undisturbed sleep.
"January 25.-The men cut about 300 yards.
"January 26.-We again accomplished about 300 yards, and pushed the
vessels within the channel.
"January 27.-We are thankful for a comparatively open ditch, deep, but
covered with grass, through which the diahbeeah cut her path by sailing
before a strong breeze, and we entered the lake at 11.20 a.m. There is
no change here since last year. The steamer and fleet are close up, but
there is a little deepening necessary at the mouth of the channel. The
diahbeeah went ahead for six miles along the lake and broad river, and
anchored for the night.
"January 28.-With a light breeze, the diahbeeah sailed four miles, and
stopped at the three dubbas, whence we turned back last year. Even now
there is only three feet and a half of water, and we shall have great
trouble. Our fisherman, Howarti, caught a great haul of fine boulti with
the casting-net.
"January 29.-I shot some ducks and geese. A slight shower fell in early
morning.
