_Saturday, April 1st._—No sleep! Too novel a position. Off at sunrise. The Frenchman remarked classic beauty in the cook of the boat! Stopped for wood at the cataract. Very hot! Off again. Passed the cataract safely, though the water was very low, and many of the passages dangerous. We noted several wrecks of boats about us. One was a ship belonging to Moussalli, who is with us. Had to throw off the line from the steamer in some places, and row ourselves through. Struck the rocks many times, hard enough to sink ordinary boats. Things were thrown into a little confusion by it, but no leak sprung. Passed the wild gorge “Sebeloga.” Camped at sunset. Several of the party ill. Took dinner on the bank. Went to bed on the sand in the open air and the glorious moonlight. _Monday, April 3d._—Up early; waked Ibrahim, plunged into the river with Moussalli, to get the sand out of eyes and ears. The sick ones are very poorly to-day. Stopped at Damer about 2:30 P.M. Had some difficulty to get wood. Moussalli is ill. Midani, his bookkeeper, has a high fever. I turn doctor, and nurse the crowd as well as I can. A gale of wind has been blowing, increasing to a tempest. Slept out in it all. We have not left Khartoum any too soon for the health of the crowd. _Tuesday, April 4th._—Blowing a gale. Start at sunrise. All are ill to-day except myself. The waves are high, and the spray goes over us. Arrived at the rocks, but it was blowing so hard that the captain dared not try to pass them. We tied up at the bank. Tried the pass once more, and tied up again. Finally, we made another attempt; had a very exciting time, but got through part way very well. Sent a boat ahead to pick out the channel. Expected every moment to strike, and perhaps be wrecked. We did strike at last, and were nearly capsized, but, thanks to the strength of the boat, we came out all right. When we were finally clear of the rocks the men cheered and praised Allah, and we gave them a backshish. A little further on we went fast aground on a sand bank, and spent about two hours getting off. At last Berber came into sight, and at 5 P.M. we tied up at the bank, which is now very high, as the river is many feet lower than when we were here before. Went on shore, selected a good site for the tents; put one of ours up, and got into shape for the night.