fc TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



effed in failing, that whereas the bed of the Nile, when the- 

 water grows low, is full of fand banks under water, the keel 

 under the item, where the curve is greateft, firft ftrikes up- 

 on thefe banks, and is faft, but the reft of the Ihip is afloat ; 

 fo that by the help of oars, and affiftance of the ftream, 

 furling the fails, you get eafily off; whereas, was the keel 

 ftraight, and the veiTel going with the preflure of that im- 

 menfe main-fail, you would be fo faft upon the bank as to 

 lie there like a wreck for ever. 



This yard and fail is never lowered. The failors climb and 

 furl it as it Hands. When they fliift the fail,, they do it with 

 a thick ftick like a quarter ftaff, which they call a npbeot, put 

 between the laming of the yard and the fail ; they then twill 

 this ftick round till the fail and yard turn over to the fide re- 

 quired. 



When I fay the yard and fail are never lowered, I mean 

 while we are getting up the ftream, before the wind ; for, 

 otherwife, when the vefTel returns, they take out the maft, 

 lay down the yards, and put by their fails, fo that the 

 boat defcends like a wreck broadlide forwards ; otherwife,. 

 being fo heavy a-loft, were me to touch with her ftem gc+ 

 ing down the ftream, fhe could not fail to carry away her 

 malls, and perhaps be ftaved to pieces. 



The cabin has a. very decent and agreeable dining-room* 

 about twenty feet fquare, with windows that have clofe 

 and latticed mutters, fo that you may open them at will 

 in the day-time, and enjoy the freflmefs of the air ; but 

 great care muft be taken to keep thefe flmt at night. 



A CERTAIN 



