CHAP. I.] 
THE BOY OSMAX. 
33 
The junction of the two Niles is a vast flat as far. as 
the eye can reach, the White Nile being about two 
miles broad some distance above the point. Saati 
my vakeel (headman) is on board one noggor as chief; 
Johann on board the other, while I being on the diah- 
biah, I trust all the animals will be well cared for. I 
am very fearful of Johanns state of health : the poor 
fellow is mere skin and bone, and I am afraid his lungs 
are affected; he has fever again to-day; I have sent 
him quinine and wine, &c. 
20 th Dec .—The whole of yesterday employed 
in splicing yard, repairing mast, and re-rigging. At 
8.30 a.m. we got away with a spanking breeze. The 
diahbiah horridly leaky. The “ tree ” or rendezvous 
for all boats when leaving for the White Nile voyage* 
consists of three large mimosas about four miles from 
the point of junction. The Nile at this spot about two 
miles wide—dead flat banks—mimosas on west bank. 
My two cabin boys are very useful, and Osman's ring¬ 
ing laugh and constant impertinence to the crew and 
soldiers keep the boat alive;—he is a capital boy, a 
perfect gamin, and being a tailor by trade he is very 
useful—this accounts for his father wishing to detain 
him. The horses and donkeys very snug on board. 
At 1 p.m. passed Gebel Ouli, a small hill on south 
bank—course S.W. \ S. At 8.30 p.m. reached Getene, 
VOL. i. 
D 
