This being completed, I ordered the boats to keep in
close line until the arrival of the main body, otherwise the floating
rafts would again block up the channel should the boats proceed.
"January 9. - Hauled the dingy over the marsh, and explored the old
channel for a distance of fifty minutes. Thank goodness, this was clear
to that point, a distance of about two miles; but at length we were
stopped by vegetation. The latter is of a light character, and can be
easily removed. Clouds of mosquitoes; the dew very heavy at night.
"Shot a Baleniceps Rex, with rifle.
"January 10. - At day-break we distinguished eight sail on the northern
horizon.
"January 11. - Brisk north wind. Raouf Bey arrived in the evening.
"January 12. - Started and passed the choked river with much difficulty,
and entered the channel of last year's clearing.
"January 13. - We only made about two miles yesterday and to-day, being
stopped by vegetation.
"January 14. - Cutting partially, but the channel is much improved since
last year. Made two and a half miles.
"January 15. - Made three-quarters of a mile, and having reached the lake
Timsah (crocodile lake) we found the river blocked up; we therefore cut
our way into an open but shallow channel which last year was impassable
from want of depth.
