The djelabi, would, in like manner, raise the price of the ivory considerably, as soon as they had an idea that the demand for this commodity increased; hence it would probably be the most judicious plan to come to an understanding with a Turkish officer quartered in Kordofan, and to effect the acquisition in his name; the officers would willingly lend themselves to this undertaking, without any pretensions to a share in the profits, if they were only treated to a few bottles of wine or good brandy; many honourable men are, moreover, to be met with among the Turks, to whom the business might fearlessly be intrusted. There would be no difficulty in entering into Darfour or in reaching Kobbe, which is not the capital, but merely the chief commercial town in the kingdom; nor would it be impracticable to obtain ivory by purchase or barter there, or, indeed, at El-Fasher, the capital, where large stores are kept; but no one could answer for his return as long as Sultan Mohammed Fadels is on the throne. Should the government ever devolve upon his brother, Abumedina, Europeans would then have free ingress and egress to the country, for he is favourably disposed towards the Franks, and would willingly serve them. For this assertion I can vouch, as I received the most unequivocal proofs of the kindness of his disposition, at a time when my life was at stake. The further expenses contingent upon this undertaking would be as follows:— Piasters. Day’s journey. To freight of one camel-load of three to three and a half cantari of one hundred rottoli, from Lobeid to Debba on the Nile 60 16 To boat-hire thence to New Dongola for one boat 30-60 4-6 To freight from New Dongola, across the desert to Wady Chalfa 30-50 14-16 To freight from Wady Chalfa to the Isle of Phylae on the first cataract 60-150 8-10 To freight to Assuan (the ancient Syene), a distance of one and a half hour’s march., per camel 3-4 To freight per boat from Assuan to Cairo 400-1000 20-30 To freight, per boat, from Cairo to Atfe 150-400 4-8 To freight, per boat, from Atfe on the canal of Mahmudie 30-80 1 It must be mentioned in giving this estimate, that the boat-hire would vary according to the size of the vessel employed, nor can the time of the journey by water be accurately calculated, as it depends in a great measure on the wind and the height of the water of the Nile. As a general rule three months and a half may be reckoned as the time required to reach Alexandria from Lobeid in travelling with goods.