The western stream takes a northerly direction, as does also the eastern stream, which is increased in its course by various others issuing from the Jibbel Kumri, more to the east of the source, before described; but where the two streams unite (i.e. the Nile of Egypt, and that of Soudan) is not accurately ascertained.[224] It is proper, also, to observe, that the Africans express their astonishment whenever the Europeans dispute the connection of these two rivers, justly observing, that it is a folly to dispute a thing which the experience of a succession of ages has proved to be true; indeed it is remarkable how many empty hypotheses and idle reasonings the course of this river, or the Egyptian Nile, has given rise to; but there are people so bigotted to the opinions which are founded on these empty hypotheses as to disregard the relation of travellers who have actually been upon the spot, and who have, by the evidence of their eyes, confuted all that has been written on the subject. In confirmation of the opinion that there is a navigable communication between Timbuctoo in Soudan, and Cairo in Egypt, the following circumstance was related to me by a very intelligent man, who has, at this time, an establishment in the former city: In the year 1780, a party of seventeen Jinnie Negroes proceeded in a canoe, to Timbuctoo, on a commercial speculation; they understood the Arabic language, and could read the Koran: they bartered their merchandize several times during the passage, and reached Cairo, after a voyage of fourteen months, during which they lived upon rice and other produce, which they procured at the different towns they visited; they reported that there are twelve hundred cities and towns, with mosques or towers in them, between Timbuctoo and Cairo, built on or near the banks of (the Nile el Abeede, and the Nile Massar) the Nile of Soudan, and the Nile of Egypt.