CHAPTER IX 



THE RAHAD RIVER 



March $th. Started at 6 a.m. and marched till 9 a.m. 

 Saw no game but one flock of guinea-fowl. Got off 

 again at 2 p.m. and marched to 7 p.m. say 20 

 miles. The thorn disappeared as the Atbara was left 

 behind, being succeeded by grass 3 feet high. Finally 

 the country became rocky and undulating, and 

 villages commenced. The camp was by some wells 

 about 4 miles short of Gedarif . 



March 10th. Marched into Gedarif, and break- 

 fasted with Captain D. ; where I found that it was a 

 holiday, being Friday, but purchased some turpentine 

 and started work killing the beetles in my skins. 



March llth. Ordered a couple of packing-cases, 

 and soldered up and secured two cases of lion and 

 leopard skins. 



March 12th. Received 50 from the Treasury. 

 Started lining packing-cases with tin and soldering. 



March 13th. Secured one packing-case and started 

 work on the second. 



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