FISHING ON THE BLUE NILE 133 and last, but not least, a complete change of diet.

I had travelled in a day and three-quarters what is usually given three days, and so looked forward to a rest in Roseires with friends I had found there.

The position of Roseires is pretty indeed ; the town is high up on the steep hills of the bank, and looks over the swift -flowing current rushing between many great rounded boulders. The mere movement of water after still, sandy river-bed and quiescent pools was refreshing. So an invitation to fish was accepted. It involved the rowing of a Noah's Ark up the stream for a fourth of a mile. The Ark was built up of four-inch thick planks, the oars were the paddles of Brobdingnag, and the stream was the giddy Blue Nile. We were carried far down ere we won our transverse way and crawled up in the slack of the current. Then a wild dash across to an islet, and the Ark was deserted on the strand.

I had read of the experience Baker had with these " cow " fish, which run up to 70 pounds weight and give grand sport. Sol watched my two friends as they handled their heavy bamboos and live bait. Hooks were heavy and long in the shank, arid soon a fish of 1 2 pounds weight came in.

One fisher had gone to the opposite side, and I was aroused by a despairing shout, " Come here, Tangye, and help ; sure I have hooked the devil I" But to call me the line had been slackened, and his majesty cunningly took up the hint, and when I arrived was away. More than once afterwards