the sailors made fast to the uatad for the night. The following morning they continued tracking till ten, when a breeze sprung up, and we arrived that evening within sight of Corosco; but the wind failing, we did not reach it till the following day, the 27th, at two p.m., and this was our last night in the dahabie.

CHAPTER V.

RESIDENCE OF HALF A DAY AT COROSCO-MEASURING THE WIDTH OF THE NILE-AND DEPARTURE FOR THE DESERT.

Ar last we are arrived at the much-desired Corosco, which is the beginning of our journey across the Desert! Corosco is a little village situated on the East bank of the Nile, at the foot of the mountains of the Desert, of that vast and frightful Desert, which communicates with all Africa, in which so many Arabs are acquainted with the paths, and straying travellers have fallen victims to its vastness with their camels and merchandise. Spending half a day at Corosco, I had time to seek information about the village, celebrated, if for nothing else, for its exquisite dates, and as the station of the Arab conductors across the Desert. It is inhabited principally by Nubians; there are some Arabs, who cultivate plots of ground. The houses of the Nubians are made of stone; those of the Arabs of mud and straw, generally with open roofs, and if one is wanted, they throw two or three beams across and some palm branches, and the roof is complete. Although some of the Arab huts are mixed with those of the

Nubians, they have their encampments separate at the South of Corosco. Nothing in the way of rice, coffee, sugar, cheese, charcoal, for the journey can be got in Corosco. Eggs, milk, and lambs can with some difficulty be procured; there is only one woman, who can make bread in the Egyptian manner; such a thing was rather consoling in Corosco. We spent a quiet night, and the next morning measured the breadth of the Nile, which was 614 yards, according to the captain's measurement; judging it by the naked eye one would think it less, because speaking in a moderate voice, the words can be heard distinctly from one side to the other. This being completed, we asked the inspector of Corosco and the Arab sheik, to prepare the camels. We were assured that precisely at noon, the Arabs and the camels would be before us, and this was really performed. I asked the sheik Ali Abumansur, "who is the minister of the first sheik of all that tribe,-who are Arabs, and what part of the world they inhabit?" He smiled as he replied "the Arabs call themselves Ababde; they live generally near the Nile, some dwell in Upper Egypt, near Osuan, others live in Corosco, spreading themselves as far as Uadi Halfe, and after having passed the Desert of Corosco,*

* The Arabs call that part of the Desert, which they cross from Corosco to Aboohamad, "Atmur Corosco" (the Desert of Corosco.) And they call that part of the Desert from Uadi Halfe to Dongola, "Atmur Dongola" (Desert of Dongola.) They do so for certain reasons, because when they lose some of their brethren in the Desert, they enquire in what Desert they were lost. If the

at Abuhamed and at Barbar, the Arabs Ababde are to be found; in fine," said he, with emphasis, "the Arabs spread themselves to KarThe time of our departure

сар

Ababde are numerous, and tum,-all are our Arabs!" drew near, and the sheik began to divide the burden of the camels, and the Arabs to load them. The captain in the meantime gave the bachshih to the sailors, who will ever praise him for his generosity. Taking a last look at our dear dahabie, and counting our things, we mounted our dromedaries, assisted by the sheik and kabir (guide). The sailors shouted after us "go in peace, God protect you;" our Arabs were not behind in shouts, exchanging greetings till the two parties were far separate. It was very pleasing to see all the Nubians and Arabs come from their huts, and shouting from every corner-"good wishes for Ali, Ahmed and Sleh" and thus amidst the shouts of the sailors, Nubians, and Arabs we set off, at twenty-five minutes after noon, the heat being in full plenitude. Now, my soul, I exclaimed, you are entering into solitude! What solitude? Not to contemplate the holy attributes of God, the happiness, which our immortal spirit, stripped of this body, will enjoy, as a reward of its virtuous actions, not to leave the cares of the world, to give oneself up entirely to holiness; but to cross this frightful solitude, and suffer for the sake of suffering. My mind is oppressed at the recollection of that solitude!

answer is, in the Desert of Dongola, then they know where to go and search for them. They despatch many men on dromedaries, with water and food, to that part of the Desert in search of the lost one.

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But since I am to write what I and my companion suffered, and what we saw and what befell us, come forth my pen and write what little there is about this solitude! tell us the truth. Very well, being as anxious as the mind, which dictates, and the hand which directs me, I will try and satisfy you by writing minutely the events of all the journey, especially the eight bitter days of the Desert of Corosco. Hardly had we mounted our dromedaries at Corosco, than we entered the Desert. "Oh God," said I to the captain, "how hot!" this long speech sufficed for the half-day! The sun was above us, giving out its heat, the black mountains well warmed in all parts aiding the scorching sand; no trees, no bushes, not a blade of grass, which by its verdure could relieve the traveller, -only the burning sun, the heated mountains and roasting sand. The south wind blew into our faces, and almost suffocated us. Although we were well clothed, and had over our heads a strong white umbrella, yet the wind seemed vapour come down from the mountains of sandy stones, or rather the very sand itself. The thermometer was at 109° when I drew it from my pocket. What would it have been had it been exposed to the sun? And what did the Arabs? They travelled with their feet covered with a sort of sandal peculiar to them, almost naked, the head and body anointed with castor oil, mixed with some sort of grease, (I do not remember what kind it was). They oil themselves to lessen the sensation of heat. We went