92 THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

then the town of Ordee, or New Dongola, is reached. It is the capital of Lower Nubia and the residence of the Mudir, whose loyalty to the British during the Soudan rebellion has been so repeatedly questioned. New Don¬ gola is an insignificant place ; and the traveller next reaches Old Dongola and Debbeh. From Debbeh is a direct road across the desert to Khartoum, a ten days’ journey. After Debbeh the next important place is Ainbukol, whence a desert route to Shendy cuts off another bend in the Nile. After Ambukol comes Merawi, whence there is a direct route to Berber. Soon after passing Merawi there is a stretch of 140 miles, impassable at Low Nile, and only passable for small boats at High Nile. There are in this district some seven distinct cataracts, sometimes known as the Cataracts of Shakoujeh.

From Cairo to El Umas, (?) The Fifth Cataract, or Cataract of El Umas, is impracticable at Low Nile. It lies on the stretch of river between Abu Hamad and Berber. There are here no mountains or even hil's, and the falls at a little distance are scarcely perceptible. The boats used on this part of the Nile are mainly “ nuggars. ” From Cairo to Berber, 1,400 miles. Berber (204 miles from Khartoum) is one of the most important towns of the Upper Nile. Once at Berber, the main difficulties of Lord Wolseley’s River Expedition are at an end, for from Berber to Khartoum there are but 204 miles of river, which offer no great difficulties to navigation. Berber itself is an insiguific int and unattractive Nubian town. It is the limit of the southern flight of the quail, and between it and Khartoum crocodiles and hippopotami abound., About twenty miles above Berber is the mouth of the Atbara River. The male population is about 3,000. The streets are dirty and unpaved, the houses are of sun-dried bricks. There is a small bazaar, government buildings and a telegraph office. The town is protected by earth¬ works, 4,500 yards in extent.

From Cairo to Shendy, 1,515 miles.

Shendy is the next town of importance after leaving Berber. In 1872 it had a population of 3,000. There is a bazaar and market. It is the terminus of the desert route from Ambukol. Around Shendy the scenery is flat and uninteresting.

From Cairo to Khartoum, 1,900. At Khartoum, Half Nile occurs in the middle of July, High Nile about the beginning of September, lasting about a month, and falling early in Octo¬ ber. Half Nile occurs again about the end of October. It is High Nile at Khartoum forty days sooner than at Cairo.

From Cairo to Dongola, 960 miles. From Dongola to Debbeh, 105 miles.