EMBARK FOll DAMER. 17

also remained with us, as he was now and then employed by my

brother ; and at last, so that I might not have one corner to call my own, there came now on us Dr. Bellotti, a Bolognese, and the

apothecary Duraont, from the neighbourhood of jNIarseilles, who

had established himself at Wollet-Medine, with baggage and

servants, having been ordered to follow their regiments on the

chasua, or campaign.

CHAP. II.

Embiirk for Darner. — Disa.strous Voyage. — Roach Damcr. — Joseph's Suf-

ferings.— The Mareh. — Banks of the Atbara.— An Arab Village.

The troops from Sennaar and Wollet-Medine had encamped

opposite Chartum in Chobba. so as to march by land to Damer.

The o-arrison of Chartum, also, had all^ save a very small force,

been conveyed over to the right bank of tlie Blue Nile. As

I felt very unwell, I proposed following them by water, but

now not a boat was to be seen or heard of, all having been seized

on by government, for the conveyance of military stores, munition,

and provisions, and without either owner or sailor daring to claim

any payment for such services. I sent our cook Achmct down

the Nile to look out, ond there he hit on a boat belonging to our

friend Faragh EfFendi, but sunk to its edge in the water, by the

rais, who had also got out of the way, tliat he might not have to

sail without a fee. However, on our offering a fair sum for the

use of the boat to Damer, as the rais could not be found, his

brother was dragged out to put it in order. Our traps were

carried on board, the mast lowered down so as to form a tent, and we arranged our beds on our chests, placed alongside each other^ij

a necessary precaution in this inhospitable and innhss country,'

Bellotti, Dumont, the merchant, Bruno Rollet, a stout Savoyard,

of Chartum, and myself, formed our party, and our cook, Achmet,*

was to look after the kitchen and victualling department.

c