Getaineh—Abu Kurat. 45 (iii) Mr. Welkin (February, 1880).

After leaving the Nile opposite El Getaineh, the track leads S.S.W., gradually leaving the river, over a burning plain, on to the top of an immense sandbank. Following this for several hours, the traveller has a good view of the conntry. To the east is an expanse of grey mud, covered at high Nile ; otherwise the country is flat, and only broken by the towering height of Grebel Arashkol in the south. The inhabitants in this district retire during the hherif to pastures far distant from the Nile, but follow the water back again, till in the dry season the river banks are very thickly populated. Abu Kurat, 10 miles from the Nile. Brush, grass, many scorpions and snakes. From here is a six days' march to Bara. Very good road, huts (surrounded by thorn fences) for travellers, hyenas ; much thorn bush.

(iv) Abu Kurat—El Obeid (via Khursi or Bara).

N.B.—The wells being as a rule so deep, it would be necessary for an advancing force to be well provided with arrangements for hauling up water at a quicker rate than by the ordinary rope and skin bucket.