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aground！ The steamer was so helplessly deserted by the water； that she
would have served for a Nilometer upon which to mark the level； like the
rock at Assouan。 It was simply impossible to move her； as she was as
solidly fixed as a church。 Every other vessel of the fleet stood high
out of the water； which had run out by the clear channel we had opened
in the rear。
The officers and men were in consternation。 With the prize within our
grasp； it would be physically impossible to proceed Those sort of people
are soon disheartened； and I made great allowance for them； as the work
of the last two months had been sufficient to destroy all energy。
I at once determined to make a dam behind the vessels so as to inclose
the position in which we lay like a mill pond。 Common sense assured me
that this must succeed in raising the level； provided we could construct
a dam of sufficient strength to bear the pressure of water。
I had a great quantity of fir timber in the shape of beams and rafters
for building purposes。 I therefore instructed Mr。 Higginbotham to
prepare two rows of piles which were to be driven across the river。 This
able engineer set to work with his usual energy； assisted by Lieutenant
J。 A。 Baker and the Englishmen； together with all the mechanics that had
been brought from Cairo。
The piles were driven with some difficulty； and diagonal struts were
fastened from the top of the front row to the base of the rear。
Horizontal beams then secured the entire line of skeleton bridge。
For two days 1；500 men were employed in making fascines of long； thick
reeds tied in large bundles； in the centre of which was concealed a mass
of about fifty pounds of stiff clap。 These bundles were firmly lashed
with twisted rushes。 I had 500 corn sacks filled with sand and clay；
these were to form the foundation of the dam； and to prevent the water
from burrowing beneath。
Every company of troops had to prepare a certain number of fascines；
which were piled on the side of the river； which had now exposed solid
banks overgrown with the high reedy grass。 This immensely long and thick
grass； resembling sugar…canes； was exactly the material that we
required。 It was this gratis that created natural obstructions； and
would therefore assist us in our artificial obstruction or dam。 The
sailors of the fleet worked in divisions under separate officers。
On March 13； all the preparations were completed for the work of filling
in the dam。 Great piles of solid balls of clay； of about 40 lbs。 each；
had been arranged in convenient places to stop up any leaks that should
occur。
I stood on one of the stranded boats only a few yards from the row of
piles。 The men were all in their places。 The buglers and drummers stood
upon another vessel ready to give the signal。
At the first bugle； every two men lifted the sacks of sand and clay。 At
once all the drums and bugles then sounded the advance； and 500 heavy
sacks were dropped into the row of piles； and firmly stamped down by the
men。 The troops now worked with intense energy。 It was a race between
the Soudanis and the Egyptians； this was labour to which the latter were
accustomed in their own country。 The sailors worked as vigorously as the
troops； piles of fascines and clay balls were laid with extraordinary
rapidity； while some stamped frantically and danced upon the entangled
mass； all screaming and shouting in great excitement； and the bugles and
drums kept up an incessant din。 A long double line of men formed a
transport corps； and passed a never…failing supply of fascines to the
workers who stood in the water and kneaded firmly the adhesive mass。
At 2。15 P。M。 the river was completely shut in； and the people with
increased energy worked at the superstructure of the dam； which now rose
like a causeway for about one hundred and ten yards from shore to shore。
At 3。30 the water had risen to an extent that obliged the men in some
places to swim。 The steamer that had been hopelessly stranded； and the
entire fleet； were floating merrily in the pond。 Thank God； I had
forgotten nothing in the preparatory arrangements for the expedition。
Without the spades； hoes； grass…knives； bill…hooks； timber； &c。； &c。；
we never could have succeeded in this journey。
My diahbeeah was in the lake waiting for the fleet to accomplish the
passage。 I had made an excursion one day in the dingy to examine the
south end of the lake； which I found to be about eight miles in length。
On returning； I was rather anxious for the small boat； as a bull
hippopotamus made a hostile demonstration。 The water was not more than
five feet six inches deep； thus as the hippo； after having snorted and
sunk； continued to approach the boat； I could distinguish the path of
his advance by the slight wave raised upon the surface。 He presently
raised his head about twenty yards from the boat； but at the same time
he received a Reilly explosive shell under the eye which ended his
worldly cares。
There were many hippopotami in this lake； and； very shortly after I had
killed the first； I shot a second much in the same manner。 I always
carried a harpoon in the boat with the rope and ambatch float。 The
latter was painted red； so that it could be easily observed。 I
therefore； stuck the harpoon in the dead hippopotamus as a mark； and
hastened back to my diahbeeah for assistance； as the flesh of two
hippopotami would be very welcome to the people； who had not received
rations of butcher's meat for many weeks。 On arrival at the diahbeeah we
quickly made sail； and soon returned to the hippopotamus。 By the time we
had cut up this large animal and secured the flesh； the sun was so low
that I considered it would be better to fasten the other hippo by a rope
attached to the hind legs； and tow it bodily astern of the diahbeeah。 It
could then be divided on the following day。
In this manner we returned to our anchorage at the tail of the lake；
close to the entrance of the new channel。 By the time we arrived； the
moon was up。 The diahbeeah was close to a mud…bank covered with high
grass； and about thirty yards astern of her was a shallow part of the
lake about three feet deep。 A light boat of zinc was full of strips of
hippopotamus' flesh； and the dingy was fastened alongside。
After dinner and a pipe； the usual arrangements were made for the night。
There were many servants； male and female； on board； these began to
suspend their mosquito curtains to the rigging and to creep beneath； the
sailors； after chatting for a considerable time； dropped off to
sleepuntil the sentry was the only man on board who was on the alert。
I always slept on the poop…deck； which was comfortably arranged with
sofas and carpets。
The night was cold； and the moon clear and bright。 Every one was wrapped
up in warm blankets； and I was so sound asleep； that I cannot describe
more until I was suddenly awoke by a tremendous splashing quite close to
the diahbeeah； accompanied by the hoarse wild snorting of a furious
hippopotamus。 I jumped up； and immediately perceived a hippo which was
apparently about to attack the vessel。 The main deck being crowded with
people sleeping beneath their thick mo