DAM ACROSS TUE GREAT GOHR. 215 gohr into a lake. It was now plainly seen that the level was also to be taken well into consideration, and that from the water rising the whole length of the dam, it must be forced backwards into the forests higher up. Bad food, and tlie burning sun, had prostrated almost all the soldiers, who were fearfully tyrannised over during this labour by their officers. I therefore proposed to the Pascha to continue the dam by means of an earthen mound, and to employ on it the hypocritical Mohammed Ehle and his people ; which task Moliammcd Ehle, with most humble reverence to the Pascha, and a fiery glance of gratitude to me, at once promised to undertake. The dam was thus continued, and ere long had a length of 1613 metres, and, at top, a breadth of five metres.

The Haddenda already felt the want of water, as that stood already three metres high in the great gohr. Bloody feuds commenced between the Haddenda and llallenga, and I much rued now my inhuman work. I therefore did not further urge the digging of a canal (bachr terra) to lead the water over the small rise of the land, into Atbara, and well knew what was coming. One morning the Pasclia pulled up his horse before our recuba, and aroused me by his "Musju!" out of my sleep. There Avas a fearful tumult in the camp; all were ru.shing out from it; for the Gisser was broken througli. I had to mount in all haste, and on the way I heard that the Iladdenchi, in spite of the guard of 200 men, had broken down this Arab Avoiuler. We rode to the critical point ; bags with sand were east in ; thc Pascha was furious ; he sprung from liis horse, rushed into the water, and gazed at me as if he expected 1 was about to follow his example.

I, however, remained calmly on my horse, and tried by remonstrances to get liim out of the water — tohl him how little such conduct became the general ; that it was his duty to support us ; that here human powers were usi'less ; and that all came from above (kulo min fok). We now went to the rocks from which the dam ran out, and took our breakfast in the shade ; where I repeatedly advised him to return at onci' to the camp, so as not, by remaining in his wet clothes, to incur the danger of fever. lie was already green and yellow about his jaws, ere he couUl be persuaded to leave. Hardly was he in camp, when my brother was called ; found him in the cold lit, and his teeth chattering so much