82 JOURNEY TO CENTRAL AFRICA.

races, and presents itself like a wedge, against the force oi

such an immense body of water. The material is brick, faced

with ^tone. When complete, it is intended to close the side-

arches during low water, leaving only the central gateway

open, . By this means sufficient water will be gained to fill all

the irrigating canals, while a new channel, cut through the

centre of the Delta, will render productive a vast tract of fer-

tile land. The project is a grand one, and the only obstacle

to its success is the light, porous character of the alluvial

soil on which the piers are founded. The undertaking was

planned and commenced by M. Linant, and has since been

continued by other engineers.

The Egyptian boatmen have reason to complain of the

Barrage. The main force of the river is poured through the

narrow space wherein the piers have not yet been sunk, which

cannot be passed without a strong north wind. Forty or fifty

boats were lying along the shore, waiting the favorable mo-

ment. We obtained permission from the engineer to attach

our boat to a large government barge, which was to be drawn

up by a stationary windlass. As we put off, the wind freshen-

ed, and we were slowly urged against the current to the main

rapid, where we were obliged to hold on to our big friend.

Behind us the river was white with sails—craft of all kinds,

pushed up by the wind, dragged down by the water, striking

against each other, entangling their long sails and crowding

into the narrow passage, amid shouts, cries and a bewildering

profusion of Arabic gutturals. For half an hour, the scene was

most exciting, but thanks to the windlass, we reached smoother

water, and sailed off gayly for Cairo.

The true Nile expanded before us, nearly two miles in