The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia, and the Sword Hunters of the Hamran Arabs

by Sir Samuel White Baker

Ahead of the Camels—The Maarif—View from the Peak—The Rhinoceros attacks the Horse—The Bullet saves him—Arrival of the Horses—The Rhinoceros Hunt—Ridden to bay—Arrival of Birds of Prey—Habits of Vultures—The Marabou Stork—Sight, not Scent, directs the Vulture—Abou Seen—"Last but not least"—Route to Nahoot Guddabi—Arrive at the Atbara—Last View of the Atbara—The Atbara Exploration completed.

CHAPTER XX.

ARRIVAL AT METEMMA, OR GALLABAT.

Poisonous Water—The Trade of Abyssinia—We encounter Missionaries—The theological Blacksmith—The Missionaries' Medicine-Chest—Jemma, Sheik of the Tokrooris—The Egyptians' attack upon Gallabat—Settlement of the Tokrooris—Industry of the Tokrooris—Weapons, Type, and Character—The Colonization by Tokrooris—Honey Wine of Abyssinia—All drunk last Night—Distance from an Act of Parliament—We leave Gallabat—A Row with the Tokrooris—I settle the Tokroori Champion—A real flat-nosed African Nigger—Death of Aggahr and Gazelle—Forced March to the Rahad—The River Rahad.

CHAPTER XXI.

FERTILITY OF THE COUNTRY ON THE BANKS OF THE RAHAD.

Journey along the Rahad—Rich Country—We cross over to the
Dinder—Ferocity of Crocodiles in that River—Character of the
Dinder—Activity of the African Elephant—Distinction of
Species—Peculiarity of Form—African and Indian
Elephants—Destruction of Forests—Elephant's Foot a
Luxury—Preservation of Flesh and Fat for the March—Preparation
of Bread for a Journey—The Bos Caffer—The most formidable
Animals—Rifles for wild Countries—Sundry Hints—Bullets for
large Game—Antelopes of Central Africa and Abyssinia.

CHAPTER XXII.

WE LEAVE THE DINDER.

Curious Hunting Party—Character of Abyssinian Rivers—Borassus
AEthiopicus—Rufaar and the Arab Sheik—The Blue Nile—The very
gentlemanly Faky—Regularly "sold"—Arrival at Khartoum—The
British Lion—The Zoological Collection—The Ostriches invite
themselves to Tea—I intercede for Mek Nimmur—King Theodore's
Ultimatum—Climate of the Soudan—The Sageer or
Water-wheel—Uncontrolled Action of the Nile—Suggestions for the
Irrigation of Egypt—Why should not Science create a Delta?—A
Series of Weirs upon the Nile—The Benefits to Egypt and to
Civilization—Ancient Works of Irrigation in Ceylon—Industrious
Population of Egypt—Capabilities for producing Cotton—The Great
Sahara—The Race of Life—Prepare to discover the White Nile
Source.