CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

The Landscapes of Ethiopia — My Evenings beside the Nile — Experiences of the Ara-

bian Nights— The Story of tho Sultana Zobeide ai d the "Wood-cutter— Cha/acter of the Arabian Tales— Religion 238

CHAPTER XX.

Arrival at Shendy — Appearance of the Town— Shendy in Former Days — "We Touch a*

El Metemma — The Nile beyond Shendy — Flesh Diet vs. Vegetables — We Escape

Shipwreck — A "Walk on Shore— Tho Rapids of Derreira — Djebel Gerri— The Twelfth Cataract — Night in the Mountain Gorge — Crocodiles — A Drink of Maree3a — My Birth-Day — Fair Wind — Approach to Khartoum — The Junction of the Two Niles— Appearance of the City — We Drop Anchor, 258

CHAPTER XXI.

The American Flag — ARoncontre— Search for a House— The Austrian Consular Agent

— Description of his Residence— The Garden— The Menagerie— Barbaric Pomp and State — Picturesque Character of the Society of Khartoum — Foundation and Growth of the City — Its Appearance— The Population— Unhealthiness of the Cli-

mate— Assembly of Ethiopian Chieftains— Visit of Two Shekhs — Dinner and Fire-

works. :..'.' 270

CHAPTER XXII.

Visit to the Catholie Mission — Dr. Knoblecher, the Apostolic Vicar— Moussa Bey-

Visit to Lattif Pasha— Reception — The Pasha's Palace— Lions — We Dine with the Pasha — Ceremonies upon the Occasion — Music — The Guests — The Franks in Khar-

toum— Dr. Peney — Visit to the Sultana Nasra — An Ethiopian Dinner — Character of tho Sultana, 280

CHAPTER XXIII.

Recent Explorations of Soudan— Limit of the Tropical Rains — The Conquest of Ethio-

pia—Countries Tributary to Egypt— The District of Takka — Expedition of Moussa Bey — Tho Atbara River — The Abyssinian Frontier — Christian Ruins of Abou- Harass — The Kingdom of Sennaar — Kordofau — Dar-Fiir — The Princess of Dar- Fiu- in Khartoum— Her Visit to Dr. Reitz— The Unknown Countries of Central Africa, .;...... 297

CHAPTER XXIV.

Excursions around Khartoum — A Race into the Desert — Euphorbia Forest — The

Banks of tho Blue Nile— A Saint's Grave— The Confluence of the Two Niles— Mag-

nitude of the Nile— Comparative Size of the Rivers— Their Names— Desire to pene-

trate further into Africa — Attractions of the "White Nile — Engage the Boat John Ledyard — Former Restrictions against exploring the River — Visit to the Pasha —

Dospotic Hospitality — Achmet's Misgivings — We set sail, .... S09