514 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER: 
at thirty-five minutes paft three we arrived at Halifoon;. 
about five miles from the ferry on the eaft fide of the Nile. 
One mark of the boatmen’s attention I cannot but mention :: 
The weather was very hot, and we had’plenty of time; the’ 
water being clear and tempting, I propofed fwimming overto- 
the other fide for the pleafure of bathing ; but they, one and? 
all, oppofed my defign with great violence, and would not 
fuffer me to undrefs. They faid: there was a multitude of - 
crocodiles in the river near that place, and although they 
were not large enough to kill, or carry off a camel, they 
very often wounded them, and it would be a wonder if- 
we pafled without feeing them; indeed the laf boat had. 
not reached the fhore before two of them rofe in the mid-. 
dle of the ftream.. I made what haite I could to get a gun, . 
and fired at the largeft, but, as far as I could judge, without 
effect. 
On the 22d, at three o’clock in the afternoon we left Ha-- 
lifoon, and by ten at night came to Halfaia, a large, hand- 
fome, and pleafant town, although built with clay. The: 
houfes are terraffed at the tops, their inhabitants being no- 
longer afraid of the rains, which: have been for fome time: 
here very inconfiderable. The Battaheen were encamped 
near Umdoom, a large village on the fide of the river, about: 
feven miles from Halifoon;. They are a thievifh, pilfering 
fet, and we paffed them early in the morning, before it was. 
light. The road is very pleafant, through woods of acacia- 
trees, interfperfed with large fields covered with bent grafs,. 
At Umdoom we found troops of women: going to: their. 
morning occupation, that of gatherimg feeds to make bread. . 
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