24 CHARACTER OF THE RIFER . [chap. i. 
have already reduced my men from wolves to lambs, 
and I should like to see the outrageous acts of mutiny 
which are the scape-goats of the traders for laying 
their atrocities upon the men’s shoulders. I cannot 
agree with some writers in believing that personal 
strength is unnecessary to a traveller. In these savage 
countries it adds materially to the success of an ex¬ 
pedition, provided that it be combined with kindness 
of manner, justice, and unflinching determination. 
Nothing impresses savages so forcibly as the poiver to 
punish and reward. I am not sure that this theory 
is applicable to savages exclusively. Arrived at Wat 
Shely at 9 p.m. 
23 d Dec. —Poor Johann very ill. Bought two 
camels, and shipped them all right: the market at 
this miserable village is as poor as that at G-etene. 
The river is about a mile and a half wide, fringed with 
mimosas; country dead flat; soil very sandy; much 
cultivation near the village, but the dhurra of poor 
quality. Saw many hippopotami in the river. I 
much regret that I allowed Johann to accompany me 
from Khartoum; I feel convinced he can never rally 
from his present condition. 
24 th Dec. —Sailed yesterday at 4.5 p.m., course 
south. This morning we are off the Bagara country 
on the west bank. Dead flats of mimosas, many of 
the trees growing in the water; the river generally 
shallow, and many snags or dead stumps of trees. I 
have been fortunate with my men, only one being 
drunk on leaving Wat Shely; him we carried forcibly 
on board. Passed the island of Hassaniah at 2.20 p.m. ; 
the usual flats covered with mimosas. The high-water 
mark upon the stems of these trees is three feet above 
the present level of the river ; thus an immense extent 
of country must be flooded during the wet season, as 
there are no banks to the river. The water will retire 
in about two months, when the neighbourhood of the 
river will be thronged with natives and their flocks. 
All the natives of these parts are Arabs; the Bagara 
