EMBARK FOR DAMEK. 17

also remained with us, as he was now and then employed by my

brother ; and at last, so that I might not have one corner to call my own, there came now on us Dr. Bellotti, a Bolognese, and the

apothecary Dumont, from the neighbourhood of Marseilles, who

had establislied himself at WoUet-Medine, with baggage and

servants, having been ordered to follow their regiments on the

chasua, or campaign.

CHAP. II.

Embai'k for Damer Disastrous Voyage. — Reach Damcr. — Joseph's Suf-

ferijigs. — The March. — Banks of tlie Atbara. — An Arab Village.

The troops from Sennaar and WoUet-Medine had encamped

opposite Chartum in Cliobba. so as to march by land to Damer. The garrison of Chartum, also, had all, save a very small force,

been conveyed over to the right bank of the Blue Nile. As

I felt very unwell, I proposed following them by water, but now not a boat was to be seen or heard of, all having been seized

on by government, for the conveyance of military stores, munition,

and provisions, and without either owner or sailor daring to claim

any payment for such services. I sent our cook Achmet down

the Nile to look out, ond there he hit on a boat belonging to our

friend Faragli Eifendi, but sunk to its edge in the water, by the

rais, who had also got out of the way, that he might not have to

sail without a fee. However, on our ofl'ering a fair sum for the

use of the boat to Damer, as tlu; rais could not be found, his

brother was dragged out to put it in order. Our traps were

carried on board, the mast lowered down so as to form a tent, and we arranged our beds on our chests, placed alongside each other, — a necessary precaution in this iniiospitable and innless country.

BeUotti, Dumont, the merchant, Bruno RuUet, a stout Savoyard,

of Cliartuni, and myself, formed our party, and our cook, Achmet, was to look aftor the kitchen and victualling department.

c