6 2 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



as direct upon it as they could lie. But if, as Dr Sliaw thinks,, 

 they made the Pyramids iirll, I would with to know in what 

 manner they conducted their navigation to come down up- 

 on Geeza. 



Their veffels go only before the wind, and they had a 

 flrong Heady gale almoll directly in their teeth. 



They had no current to help them ; for they were in ftiil 

 water ; and if they did not take down their large yards and 

 fails, they were fo top-heavy, the wind had fo muchpurchafe 

 upon them above, that there was no alternative, but, either 

 with fails or without, they muft make for Upper Egypt ; 

 and there, entering into the firft practicable caliih that was- 

 full, get into the main ftream. 



But their dangers were not ftill over, for, going down 

 with a violent current, and with their Handing rigging up, 

 the moment they touched the banks, their malls and yards 

 would go overboard, and, perhaps, the veffel Have to pieces. 



Nothing would then remain, but for fafety's fake to flrike 

 their mails and yards, as they always do when they go down 

 the river ; they muft lie broadfide foremoft, the flrong wind 

 blowing perpendicular on one fide of the veffel, and the vio- 

 lent current pufhing it in a contrary direction on the other; 

 while a man, with a long oar, balances the advantage the wind 

 has of the ftream, by the hold it has of the cabin and upper 

 works. 



This would moll infallibly be the cafe of the voyage from 

 Naucratis, unlefs in ftriving to fail by tacking, (a manoeuvre 



of 



