OLD DONGOLA great strategic importance. It was an important stronghold in the seventh century before Christ ; it became the capital of the kings of the country, who appear to have embraced Christianity in the fifth century, and it continued to hold a position of great importance until the Muhammadans overran the land in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The river opposite Dongola forms in flood time a fine sight, and is broader than at any place I have seen in Egypt. It rushes along with great strength and swiftness, and the current is so powerful that loaded steamers THE WEST BANK OF THE NILE NEAR OLD DOXGOLA.

going south travel with difficulty two miles an hour. Details ot the antiquities at Dongola are given elsewhere in this book. In the evening we passed Hammar Island, and soon after arrived at Abu Kus, or Abii Kussi, on the west bank.

A few hours later brought us to Al-Debba, where we received news which was for the correspondents and myself somewhat startling. A telegram from the Sirdar at Merawi had been sent to Colonel E. F. David, Commander of Debba, to the effect that the five correspondents and myself were to disembark at Debba, and to await further permission to 107