THE ATBARA RIVER 109 



December 28th. Spent another fruitless night in 

 machan, and dismantled it. Missed a couple of sand- 

 grouse on the way home. Very little game near Sofi. 

 Interviewed the Sheikh of Sofi, who knew Baker. 

 Started off M. N., interpreter, with 5 advance, for 

 Souakin via Wad Medani with one hippo mask, skull, 

 four feet, and a strip of hide, three leopards' skins and 

 skulls, eight Heuglin gazelle-skins, masks, and skulls, 

 and two puff-adder skins. This man is of no use 

 except as an interpreter, and I think the parting has 

 been a relief to both of us, though how my Arabic 

 will carry me further is problematical. I also gave 

 Ibrahim, camel-man, 3 advance and the auction 

 price of M. N.'s donkey, to bring a consignment of 

 goods from Gedarif . 



