THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. AIS 
he expofed them in the public market-place at Sennaar in 
that fituation, and fold them to the higheft bidder, at the 
vile price of fomething like a farthing each. After this 
degradation, being circumcifed, and converted to the Maho- 
metan religion, they were reftored each to their govern- 
ment, as flaves of Sennaar, upon very eafy conditions of tri- 
bute, and have been faithful ever fince. 
Noruine is morepleafantthanthecountry aroundSennaar, 
in the end of Auguft and beginning of September, I mean fo 
far as the eye is concerned; inftead of that barren, bare wafte, 
which it appeared on our arrival in May, the corn now 
{fprung up, and covering the ground, made the whole of 
this immenfe plain appear a level, green land, interfperfed 
with great lakes of water, and ornamented at certain inter- 
vals with groups of villages, the conical tops of the houfes 
prefenting, at a diftance, the appearance of fmall encamp- 
ments. Through this immenfe, extenfive plain, winds the 
Nile, a delightful river there, above a mile broad, full to 
the very brim, but never overflowing. Every where on 
thefe banks are feen numerous. herds of the moft beauti- 
ful cattle of various kinds, the tribute recently extorted 
from the Arabs, who, freed from all their vexations, return 
home with the remainder of their flocks in peace, at-as 
great a diftance fromthe town, country, and their oppreflors, 
as they poflibly can. 
Tne banks of the Nile about Sennaar refemble the pleas 
fanteft parts of Holland inthe fummer feafon ; but foon 
after, when the rains ceafe, and the fun exerts his utmoft 
influence, the dora begins to ripen, the leaves to turn yel- 
low and to rot, the lakes to putrify, fmell, and be full of 
3-0 2 vermin, 
