Amidships, and we succeeded in dragging the vessel from
the river's bed, and placing her upon the new shelf that we had prepared
for her in little more than three feet of water. During this time many
men had been baling out with large buckets, and now that she was safe, a
general rush was made on board to empty the water with every conceivable
utensil - gourd-shells, basins, cooking pots, &c.
"When baled out, we discovered and stopped the leaks, and floated her.
She was one of the largest and finest vessels of the fleet, perfectly
new, and was laden with steamer sections and machinery, the loss of
which would have been fatal to the object of the expedition.
"I ran a flag up the mast as a signal to those at the station that she
was safe. I then ordered the steamer to light her fires, and the wreck,
together with the two kyassas and my diahbeeah, were taken in tow, and
delivered at the bank that we had made our head-quarters. Thus we have
happily saved the vessel and cargo that had been so disgracefully
abandoned, when a large force was at hand to have assisted her.
"During the morning, a vessel arrived from Khartoum, laden with goods on
speculation, from a French trader of my acquaintance, Monsieur Jules
Poncet. She also brought the section of the lifeboat which my officers
had neglected on the wreck, and which the governor had taken to Fashoda.
"December 28. - I sent the steamer to Fashoda for the sail and yard of
the wrecked vessel. All hands are engaged in caulking ship, re-hoisting
yards, rigging, &c., and refitting. Thermometer, 6 A.M., 66 degrees;
noon, 81 degrees.
"December 29.-Thermometer, 6 A.M., 66 degrees; noon, 81 degrees. Julian
and Higginbotham both ill with fever. Vessels progressing.
"December 30. - I shot a water-buck at daybreak (Redunca Ellipsyprimna).
Yesterday evening, Quat Kare and his two favourite wives came to take
leave. I gave him a musical box and a meerschaum pipe, with a lovely
woman's face carved on the bowl. He was very much amused with the idea
of the smoke issuing from the head. I also gave his wives some grey
calico, red handkerchiefs, and gaudy ear-rings. They went away
delighted.
"At 9 P.M., the steamer's boat came up to report her arrival at
Tewfikeeyah. I immediately sent off a kyassa to join her for a cargo of
wood.
"December 31. - The steamer arrived with the kyassa in tow at 11 A.M.,
with an immense supply of wood, together with ten oxen and ten sheep
from Fashoda. The wreck will be taken in tow by the steamer, as her yard
was taken on the day of the accident by Colonel Tayib Agha.
