DOWN THE NILE. 
317 
My work-baskets had been replenished^, and I was enabled to 
give Ringa a store from the same : he had learnt to sew well. To 
his care I consigned sundry comforts for Halima_, my former hand- 
maiden_, now the wife of Wod Ali, our chief elephant hunter: 
she^ with her husband^ remained at Wayo. The monotonous river 
journey had now fairly commenced : some days the wind helped 
our onward progress^ but the sweeps were generally in requisition. 
Short of grain ; different villages were visited with the hope of pro- 
curing it. Sometimes a small quantity the men were able to get, 
but more frequently they returned empty-handed. The negroes 
were all friendly, coming fearlessly to the boats. Hippopotami 
abounded. Petherick occasionally shot wild fowl, whilst Foxcroft 
was indefatigable with his fishing lines. The mornings were in- 
tensely cold and damp, at mid-day the heat oppressive, and at sunset 
the mosquitoes were merciless in their ravages. 
April 7th . — Arrived at a port in the Shyr, where we were enabled 
to barter for grain, baskets, and mats, which had been purchased 
from the Barri. A breeze springing up, we proceeded to another 
settlement of the Shyr, where it was said a bullock might be bought. 
The natives crowded round : their skin was stained with red clay in 
a remarkable manner, some affecting stripes like the zebra. The 
chief, who spoke Arabic, was instrumental, after some considerable 
delay, in persuading the owner of goats to sell two at an exorbitant 
price. The larder thus replenished, we went on our way. 
April \Oth . — A terrific storm : it lasted four hours, brought us 
to anchor in the centre of the river, and till sunrise the following 
morning we made but little way, rowing — the wind, still strong, 
being against us. 
