THE ''LADY OF THE NILE'' IN PEEIL. 
143 
Pryssenaire^ a Belgian^ aud Monsieur Bartliolemy^ a Frenchman. 
They had left Khartoum a week previous to ourselves for Gondo- 
koro, but were' now returning, having failed to reach that place. 
They almost dishearten us, but we shall go on. They had experi- 
enced some unpleasantness in the Shyr territory, the negroes having 
attacked them without provocation. After an hour's conversation 
we proceeded. A light breeze springing up, before sunset we came 
up to the boats ; anchored for the night in the centre of the stream. 
Heard with deep regret that Toto's little child was dead. A slight 
accident having happened to the yard of the dahabyeh’s consort, 
she remained in her company j whilst the " Lady of the Nile," as 
the breeze was still favourable, continued her course to join Sur 
Katti's boat. At eight p.m., the wind having died away, anchored 
in the centre of the river. 
At midnight roused from sleep by the reis, who announced that 
the " Lady of the Nile " was filling fast. Hurrying on deck, we 
found it was indeed too true : the water was almost flush with the 
deck ; not an instant was to be lost. 
Hushing the screaming women and children, I set them to work 
to bale with all kinds of vessels, whilst I held the lantern. The 
felucca was sent ofl* with a few of the crew to discover a bit of terra 
firma where the cargo might be discharged, and soon, to our inex- 
pressible relief, the men shouted that it was found. They quickly 
pulled back, and towed the " Lady of the Nile." to the desired spot. 
Meanwhile, I was a beacon to the mosquitoes : only partially dressed 
— head, hands, and arms uncovered — I suffered tortures. The oars 
were placed out upon the long damp grass, and on these boxes and 
saturated packages were thrown. I was carried on shore, and there, 
Avith Halima and one guard, remained a considerable time, until 
the leak was discoA^ered and staunched. 
