82 TALL GRASS.

neath, it was Oi. a reddish-brown colour. This tree was easily distinguished from the other species of acacia so common all over the Soudan. It produced considerable quantities of gum ; and we gathered some beautiful amber and white pieces, each weighing three or four ounces, and mostly round in form ; they presented very much the appearance of preserved apricots. A good deal of it, however, was of a bright red colour, and, I should think, worthless, as it was gritty and by no means pure. Gum is not found in sufficient quantities, in these districts of the Soudan, to be worth exporting ; the best comes from Kordofan and Darfour, provinces to the west of the White Nile, and some also from the Blue Nile.

We made a very bad march of not more than ten miles, and encamped in the Gash, where we had to dig seven feet deep for water before we could have our dinner cooked. Lort Phillips dug a great part himself ; he was always most energetic on such occasions, and ever ready to lend a helping hand when anything of the kind had to be done. This had generally a very salutary effect on the Arabs, who were usually very lazy, but always more willing to work when they saw we were desirous to join them ourselves. We were greatly delayed by being obliged to cut a way for the camels through a great deal of very high grass, in order to cross the Gash ; it was literally necessary to fight one's way through it, foot by foot. This tall grass, often attaining a height of from ten to fourteen feet, was a great nuisance : it usually fringed the river's bed on either side, and often ran a long way back ; on horseback or on foot it was almost impossible to get through it, except by following paths trodden down by elephants or buffaloes. Although affording splendid covert for big game, it was often a source of great difficulty in shooting. Animals wotild get into it, and you might often pass