KHARTOUM. 
61 
distance of Khartoum. Great eflPorts were made one evening to 
reach it — I think it was on October llth^ but I had taken no note 
of time since leaving Berber_, and now do not trust to my memory. 
The men were knocked up^ and soon after sunset left off towing. 
The following morning the wind was dead against us ; all day the 
crew slowly dragged along the boat. About three o’clock a cry 
was raised that Petherick’s felucca was coming towards us from 
Khartoum ; and there she was_, sailing gaily before the wind; her 
colours flying. A rapid firing was kept up by her men and by ours. 
She was soon alongside^ and friends of Petherick came on board; 
accompanied by several of our elephant-hunterS; and an old and 
valued servant; Ibrahim. Such a scene of joy ensued that it be- 
came almost a pain. We heard; that the baggage sent from Korosko 
across the desert; a few days after our arrival there; had reached 
Khartoum only four days previously; so contrary had been the 
winds from Berber. 
Here the two riverS; the Blue Nile and the White Nile; flowed 
side by side. A marked difference was in their colour. 
It was sunset ere we arrived at Khartoum. The firing had been 
incessant; and the shore was lined with -people. As we stepped 
from the boat; Petherick was almost separated from me as his 
friends crowded to greet him. We could hardly force a passage to 
the Consulate. I cannot even now recall my feelings. As I entered 
the courtyard I was fearfully agitated; and when an inner yard 
was reached; and the women set up a shrill zachareet of joy; the 
guns still firing; and when the threshold was crossed; and my hus- 
band embraced me and bade me welcome home;^’ I was fairly 
overcome. By-and-bye a good burst of tearS; tears of thankfulness; 
relieved me; and I was able thoroughly to appreciate the luxurious 
dinner provided. The host of servants; bearing each a dish; with 
