DAM ACKOSS THE GREAT GOHE. 215 golir into a lake. It was now plainly seen that the level was also to be taken well into consideration, and that from the water rising the whole length of tlie dam, it must be forced backwards into the forests higher up. Bad ibod, and the burning sun, had prostrated almost all the soldiers, who were fearfully tyrannised over during tliis labour by their officers. I therefore proposed to the Pascha to continue the dam by means of an earthen mound, and to employ on it the hypocritical Mohammed Ehle and his people ; which task I Mohammed Ehle, with most Juimble reverence to the Pasclia, and a fiery glance of gratitude to me, at once promised to undertake. The dam was thus continued, and ere long had a lengtli of 1613 metres, and, at top, a breadth of five metres.

The Haddenda already felt the Avant of water, as that stood already three metres high in the great golir. Bloody feuds commenced between the Haddenda and Hallenga, and I much rued now my inhuman work. I therefore did not further urge the digging of a canal (bachr terra) to lead the Avater over tlie small rise of the land, into Atbara, and well knew what was coming. One morning the Pascha pulled up his horse befoi'c our recuba, and aroused me by his "Musju!" out of my sleep. There was a fearful tumult in the camp ; all were rushing out from it ; for the Gisser was broken through. I had to mount in all haste, and on the way I heard that the Haddenda, in spite of the guard of 200 men, had broken down this Ai-ab wonder. We rode to the critical point ; bags with sand were cast in ; the Pascha was furious ; he sprung from his horse, rushed into the water, and gazed at me as if he expected I was about to follow his example.

I, however, remained calmly on my horse, and tried by remonstrances to get him out of the water — told him how little such conduct became tlie general ; that it was liis duty to support us ; that here human powers were useless ; and that all came from above (kulo min fok). We now went to the rocks from which the dam ran out, and took our breakfast in the sluide ; wliere I repeatedly advised liim to return at once to the camp, so as not, by remaining in his wet clothes, to incur the danger of fever. He was already green and yellow about his jaws, ere he could be persuaded to leave. Hardly was he in camp, when my brother was called ; found him in the cold fit, and his teeth chattering so much