3^6 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



iremely weakened, they could with difficulty bark. 

 Such is, as it is well known, the effect produced 

 upon dogs by the influence of very hot climates. 



The wind had been contrary to us the whole 

 day. In the evening it became favourable, and 

 we protitcd by it to continue our voyage. The 

 night being very dark, we stopped at an isle of 

 sand waiting for the rising of the moon. 



Below this island, the Nile forms a large sinuo- 

 sity ; the current undermines the western shore, 

 which is steep in this broad angle, and detaches 

 from it enormous masses of marshy earth. The 

 fftquent fall of such masses as these renders the 

 passage of this place very dangerous for boats, 

 which run the risk of being sunk by them. We 

 had got clear of it without any accident, although 

 every instant, both before and behind us, several 

 large pieces fell, separated from the shore. I con- 

 gratulated myself on having escaped a danger, 

 against which we had not to struggle ; but we 

 found ourselves exposed anew, and in a very dis- 

 agreeable manner, ov^ing to the improvidence of 

 the boat's crew. 



The rets and the sailors were asleep upon the 

 beach; I had passed half of the night in watching, 

 and I composed myself to sleep, after giving the 



watck 



