Tuesday, November 1.—Called at the Consulate. Our baggage, which we sent overland by express, has not come yet, but we are told to give it time—everything needs plenty of time. In the afternoon we called by appointment at the Consul’s residence. Here we met several gentlemen who knew all about the Soudan; one had been there, and another was an intimate friend of the Pasha, the Governor-General. The Consul then took us around and introduced us to Gen. Stone. In his position of Commander-in-Chief he can do more for us than any one else, and he knows more than any one else about Soudan and the Nile. He received us very cordially and seemed eager to do what he could for us. With maps before us he gave us much valuable information in regard to positions and healthfulness. He also put us in the way of transportation across the desert at the least expense of time and money. He strongly advises us to have headquarters at Berber, and in establishing our stations not to stop at the Sobat, but to go on to Fatiko. He is also going to furnish us letters to the Governors. We dined this afternoon at the American Mission House with Mr. and Mrs. Harvey, and spent a very pleasant evening with the teachers. I conducted prayers in the girls’ department, and saw there several children who had been brought down as slaves from the very tribes to which we are going. They seemed to be very bright and intelligent. If we find as good material as that we shall have no cause to complain.
Wednesday, November 2.—Called at Consulate and received letters. We had the clerk translate the telegram which General Stone wrote for us to send to Souakim, with reference to transportation, into Arabic, and then we were advised to get General Stone’s seal to it.
Thursday, November 3.—We have found and engaged a good interpreter at a moderate price. We called on General Stone and obtained his seal to the telegram.
Friday, November 4.—Called at the Consulate. Sent telegram of General Stone to Marquette, at Souakim. It will take some days to get an answer from it. We are told to-day that the English steamer we intended to take down the Red Sea has been delayed for about ten days. It is better to pass our Quarantine here than at Souakim. This is our only consolation, for we are very anxious to be off now, although they all tell us that we are early yet.
Saturday, November 6.—We hope this week to see at least the beginning of the end of our waiting here. Much will depend on the answer to our telegram; some will depend on the letters from General Stone: much more will depend on the movements of that English steamer on the Red Sea.
It is not always possible to make circumstances.