The Atbara bed lies from 100-200 feet below the level of the surrounding plains. On either side it is bordered by 2 to 4 miles of broken ground covered with scattered bush, through which the track proceeds by easy gradients. As a rule it is unfordable at Asubri from end of June to middle of October. During these months travellers cross by the boat ferry at Suweihil some 5 miles further south. The Gash is liable to be unfordable for several days together during the flood season which lasts during July, August and September. [Sidenote: Supplies.] A good deal of dura is grown near the track and some might be obtainable at the right time of year. Sheep and milk can be got at many places. Firewood is to be found everywhere up to El Giseima (66 miles), after that it is very scarce till the Atbara is reached. [Sidenote: Water.] As tanks are very numerous, water must be very plentiful in autumn and early winter. The wells about El Ereigib are very deep; that at Wad Abu Saleh was found to be roughly 250 feet. There are still many wells that require digging out and tanks that want repair. Water was of good quality throughout, and all the wells visited had an ample supply. [Sidenote: Inhabitants.] The village of Um Dibban and all the country as far as Wad Abu Saleh used to be under El Taib Abd El Salem, the Sheikh of El Soba. Owing to their having joined the Mahdi, the Sheikh of El Obeid family have risen in importance and acquired a certain jurisdiction over the country east of Um Dibban. A few Batahin were met with as far as El Giseima, after that practically all were Shukria or those living with that tribe, as far as the left bank of the Atbara. [Sidenote: Grazing.] There is excellent tree grazing as far as El Giseima, and after that the supply of grass is so great that one can understand how the enormous flocks and herds subsisted, that the Shukria claim to have possessed in their palmy days. The grass seen was never more than 3 feet high. It is not burnt. [Sidenote: Cultivation.] An immense area is capable of growing good crops of dura if the rains are favourable. [Sidenote: Game.] There is practically nothing to shoot at this season (January) between the Blue Nile and a few miles of the Atbara.