1.—NO. 6 STATION (S.G.R.) TO DERAHEIB. BY COLONEL HON. M. G. TALBOT, R.E., DECEMBER, 1902. [Sidenote: General.] The road described below is only one of several that might have been taken, but I believe it is perhaps the most direct. The portions between No. 6 and Murrat, and along the Wadi Alagi must be common to all routes. [Sidenote: Nature of road.] There are no gradients on the road sufficiently steep to form a serious obstacle to laden camels, but there are a good many places after the Wadi Abu Bard is left, where the stony nature of the road is trying for the feet of plains camels, though the camels of the country seem to make nothing of it. [Sidenote: Water.] Water is scarce and not always good. If marching with hamla,[1] arrangements should be made to carry at least two nights’ water. [Sidenote: Fuel and shade.] Once the W. Telat Abda has been reached, fuel and shade can always be obtained with very little management. Till then there is practically no shade. No fuel between No. 6 and Murrat; a little between Murrat and W. Telat Abda. [Sidenote: Grain.] No grain is obtainable. Sheep and goats and some milk can be obtained wherever Arabs are met with. The position of the Arabs and their flocks depends on the season of the year, and the distribution of the previous year’s rainfall. ---------+---------------+---------------+---------------------------- | Hamda Hours. | Miles. | Place. +--------+------+--------+------+ Description. | Inter- |Total.| Inter- |Total.| |mediate.| |mediate.| | ---------+--------+------+--------+------+---------------------------- _No. 6 | — | — | — | — |No. 6 Station on Halfa- Station | | | | |Khartoum Railway, 127 miles (S.G.R.)_| | | | |from Halfa, and 1,555 feet | | | | |above sea level. | | | | | | | | | |British foreman. Telegraph | | | | |office. | | | | | | | | | |No station buildings nor | | | | |accommodation for persons | | | | |detained there. | | | | | | | | | |Well with steam pump gives | | | | |12,000 gallons daily. Water | | | | |contains some salts, but | | | | |drinkable. Nile water can be