SONS OF THE KING. 
88 
the low banks were covered with verdure^ and lovely groups of the 
mimosa tree_, looking in the distance like our English oak. To 
our right; but on the left bank of the river^ ran a long range of 
hills called Wallad il Meek; or Sons of the King.^'’ Tradition says 
that here two sons of a king of the Hassaneyeh tribe; but not by the 
same mother; fought for the succession; upon the death of their 
father; so long and so determinedly; that they killed each other. The 
river soon took a considerable bend; and the wind blew violently 
from the east. Passed a long island in the centre of the rivei*; 
without a tree; but covered with luxuriant herbage; on which thou- 
sands of cattle were pasturing. The herdsmen were filling their 
water-skins while the cattle were drinking. The tribe who culti- 
vate this island are called the Jallieen. They have a settlement on 
the right bank ; so have the Amara; nomad Arabs ; and farther 
on are the tribe Wallad Shooker Allah. The river was now rough; 
breaking in waves over the deck. Attached to the dahabyek, 
in addition to the small boat; was a canoe laden with fire- 
wood. A cry came that she was breaking from her fastenings and 
filling. Sail was taken iii; and the canoe was lightened and baled. 
The gusts of wind were frequent and severe; but the sails again 
were set; and we were rapidly scudding on; .when in a moment 
the Lady of the Nile^^ heeled over so alarmingly; that we were 
in danger. Petherick rushed to one of the cannon; dragging it to 
windward ; the crew moved everything available; and the old boat 
soon righted. Again; on our left; the Wallad Moosa Sons of 
Moses were congregated; with a quantity of cattle. A barren 
mountain called Djebel Auli; or Primeval Mountain;^^ rose; a 
conspicious object; on the same side of the river. Then came the 
settlement of the Wallad Gar il Nebbi; or Sons of the Pro- 
phet^s Neighbour;^^ and then the Mohammadyeh. All these tribes 
6 — 2 
