The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: a compendium prepared by officers of the Sudan government, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Sudan. Wizarat al-Naql wa-al-Muwasalat and Edward Lord [Editor] Gleichen
[_All rights reserved._
=The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan:=
=A Compendium Prepared By Officers Of The Sudan Government.=
EDITED BY LIEUT.-COLONEL COUNT GLEICHEN, C.V.O., C.M.G., D.S.O. (_Late Director of Intelligence, Sudan Government and Egyptian Army, and Sudan Agent, Cairo._)
* * * * * =Volume II.=
(Routes.) * * * * *
LONDON: PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY HARRISON AND SONS, ST. MARTIN’S LANE, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY. * * * * * And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from WYMAN AND SONS, LTD., FETTER LANE E.C.; or OLIVER & BOYD, EDINBURGH; or E. PONSONBY, 116, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN. * * * * * 1905. _Price Seven Shillings and Sixpence._
(Wt. 8207 1000 9 | 05—H & S 3874)
Editorial Note To Volume II.
* * * * *
The Routes in this Volume have been arranged according to the Chapters in Vol. I.
Additional matter is given in the shape of an Appendix, describing the main Routes leading out of the Sudan.
Almost the whole Volume has been edited by Captain H. H. S. Morant (Assistant Director of Intelligence), to whom my best thanks are due; Captain W. Lloyd is chiefly responsible for the excellent Routes in Kordofan.
Intermediate places where water is to be found (except those obviously on a river) are given in italics.
[It being impossible to provide a map showing even all the terminal places mentioned, intending travellers are referred to the map at the end of Vol. I, and to the Sudan Ordnance Survey Maps (scale, 1:250,000), a list of which is given in Vol. I, p. 349.]
A certain number of copies of each Chapter in this Volume have been printed and bound separately in strong paper covers for practical use when travelling. Application in Egypt should be made to the Director of Intelligence, Egyptian War Office, Cairo, or to any Bookseller in Great Britain, of whom copies may be obtained, price One Shilling each.
G.
_Berlin, 2nd April_, 1905.
=Table Of Contents.=
* * * * *
Vol. II. (Part III.)
(Routes.)
* * * * *
Chapters I And II.
_Nil._
Chapter III.
North-Eastern Sudan.
Page
No. 1. — No. 6 Station to Deraheib. (_Talbot_) 1
„ 2. — Suakin to Berber — (α) Northerly route. (_Sparkes_) 5
(β) Southerly „ „ 9
„ 3. — Berber to Kassala. (_Various_) 12
„ 4. — Suakin to Tokar. (_Various_) 14
„ 5. — Trinkitat to Tokar. (_Bower_) 15
„ 6. — Suakin to Erkowit — (α) _viâ_ Tamaneb and K. Arab. (_Powell_) 16
(β) _viâ_ Kolkalai Pass. (_Powell_) 16
„ 7. — Erkowit to Sinkat — (α) _viâ_ Baramil Plains. (_Powell_) 17
(β) _viâ_ K. Gebet. (_Powell_) 17
„ 8. — Kassala to Suakin, _viâ_ Filik and Maman. (_Mitford_) 18
„ 9. — Tokar to Kassala, _viâ_ K. Baraka. (_Various_) 22
„ 10. — Kassala to Maman direct. (_Morant_) 26
„ 11. — Adarama to Bir Oshi (K. Langeb). (_Kenrick_) 27
„ 12. — El Getite to Adarama. (_Kenrick_) 29
„ 13. — Umbrega to Sofi. (_Morant_) 30
N.B.—Other routes which apply to this chapter are:—
No. 123. — Aswan to Deraheib. (Appendix) 195
„ 19. — Gedaref to Kassala. (Chap. IV) 41
„ 14. — Khartoum N. to Kassala. (Chap. IV) 32
„ 124. — Kassala to Massaua. (Appendix) 196
„ 125. — Takarashorit to Umbrega. (Appendix) 200
Chapter IV.
Eastern Sudan.
No. 14. — Khartoum N. to Kassala, _viâ_ Geili, Rera and Asubri. (_Talbot_, _Boulnois_ and _Morant_) 32
„ 15. — Goz Regeb to Shendi, _viâ_ Abu Deleig. (_Boulnois_) 36
„ 16. — El Damer to Fasher. (_Bulkeley Johnson_) 36
„ 17. — Khartoum N. to Abu Deleig. (_Native information_) 39
„ 18. — Rufaa to Geili. (_Talbot_) 40
„ 19. — Gedaref to Kassala. (_Mitford_ and _Morant_) 41
„ 20. — „ Gallabat. (_Collinson_ and _Morant_) 43
„ 21. — Abu Haraz to Gedaref. (_Mitford_) 45
„ 22. — Gedaref, _viâ_ Hawata, to Abu Haraz. (_Bulkeley 47 Johnson_)
„ 23. — Sofi _viâ_ Abu Gulud to Seraf Said. (_Smith_) 48
„ 24. — Famaka to Abu Ramla. (_Gwynn_) 49
„ 25. — Karkoj to Hawata. (_Bonham Carter_) 50
„ 26. — Roseires to Abu Shaneina. (_Gwynn_) 50
„ 27. — Senga, _viâ_ Durraba, to Um El Rug. (_Amery_) 51
„ 28. — Mouth of Khor Gelagu (Dinder) to Gallabat. (_Amery_) 52
„ 29. — Gallabat to Wad Medani, _viâ_ R. Rahad. (_Lewin_) 53
„ 30. — Itinerary of Blue Nile. (_Amery_) 57
N.B.—Other routes which apply to this chapter are:—
No. 126. — Gallabat to Chelga. (Appendix) 202
„ 127. — Lake Tsana (Goja) to Gandoa. (Appendix) 204
„ 128. — Addis Abbaba to Gallabat. (Appendix) 206
„ 130. — Roseires to Dunkur. (Appendix) 215
„ 131. — Dunkur to Gallabat. (Appendix) 217
Chapter V.
Central Sudan.
No. 31. — Khartoum to Wad Medani, Sennar, Senga and Karkoj (L. B. Blue Nile). (_Compiled_) 61
„ 32. — Khartoum to Goz Abu Guma and Jebelein, _viâ_ R. B. White Nile. (_Conolly, Boulnois_) 63
„ 33. — „ Gule, _viâ_ Managil and Segadi. (_Morant_) 66
„ 34. — Managil to Sennar. (_Smyth_) 70
„ 35. — Keili, _viâ_ Gule, to Senga. (_Gorringe_) 70
„ 36. — Senga to Jerok, _viâ_ K. Ofat. (_Roberts_) 71
„ 37. — Roseires to Keili, _viâ_ Gule. (_Smith_) 73
„ 38. — Fazogli to Gezan. (_Jackson_) 73
„ 39. — Gezan to Kurmuk. (_Gwynn_) 75
„ 40. — Gule to Renk. (_Morant_) 75
„ 41. — Jebelein to Renk. (_Wilson_) 76
„ 42. — Renk to Kaka Old Wood Station. (_Morant_) 77
„ 43. — „ Kodok (R. B.) partly along Telegraph line. (_Wilson_) 79
„ 44. — J. Ahmed Agha to Awitong and Kash-Kash. (_Wilson_) 82
„ 45. — Itinerary up Khor Adar. (_Wilson_) 83
„ 46. — J. Jerok to Wad Deluka (52 miles S.E. of Melut). (_Smith_) 84
„ 47. — Uryong (Sobat) to opposite Kodok. (_Gwynn_) 85
N.B.—Other routes which apply to this chapter are:—
No. 133. — Kirin to Kodok. (Appendix) 222
„ 132. — Fazogli to Kirin. (Appendix) 218
„ 129. — Addis Abbaba to Famaka. (Appendix) 210
Chapter VI.
South-Eastern Sudan.
No. 48. — Nasser to Uryong. (_Gwynn_) 87
„ 49. — Gokjak to Keik (Khor Filus). (_Wilson_) 88
„ 50. — Itinerary up the Bahr El Zeraf. (_Stanton_) 90
N.B.—Other routes which apply to this chapter are:—
No. 47. — Uryong to opposite Kodok. (Chapter V) 85
„ 134. — K. Bosuk, _viâ_ K. Eine, to Goha. (Appendix) 225
„ 135. — Goha, _viâ_ K. Barsu, to Bosuk. (Appendix) 225
„ 136. — Camp (K. Bosuk) to Asosa. (Appendix) 226
„ 137. — Asosa to K. Bosuk, _viâ_ K. Surgalla. (Appendix) 227
„ 138. — Gore to Abwong. (Appendix) 227
Chapter VII.
Bahr El Ghazal.
No. 51. — Meshra el Rek to Tonj. (_Lloyd_) 93
„ 52. — Wau to Meshra el Rek. (_Lloyd_) 94
„ 53. — Tonj Post to Wau. (_Lloyd_) 95
„ 54. — Tonj Post to Rikta’s Village. (_Lloyd_) 97
„ 55. — Wau to Tembura. (_Bethel_) 99
„ 56. — Wau to Deim Zubeir. (_Boulnois_ and _Sparkes_) 100
„ 57. — Chak Chak to Deim Zubeir. (_Fell_) 101
„ 58. — Deim Zubeir to Kossinga. (_Boulnois_) 102
„ 59. — Kossinga to Wau. (_Boulnois_) 103
„ 60. — „ Hofrat el Nahas. (_Sparkes_) 104
„ 61. — Ragaa to Deim Zubeir. (_Sparkes_) 105
„ 62. — Kojali to Tonj. (_Sparkes_) 106
„ 63. — Tonj to Rumbek. (_Armstrong_) 107
„ 64. — Rumbek to Shambe. (_Armstrong_) 108
„ 65. — Rumbek to Darago’s and M’volo. (_Wood_) 109
„ 66. — M’volo to Kiro. (_Sparkes_) 109
„ 67. — Rumbek to Awodi. (_Armstrong_) 111
„ 68. — „ Mangi’s. (_Boardman_) 113
N.B.—Another route which applies to this chapter is:—
No. 101. — El Obeid to Dar El Jange. (Chapter VIII) 151
Chapter VIII.
Kordofan.
No. 69. — Sheikh Sadik to Homra. (_Various_) 117
„ 70. — El Dueim to Homra. (_Various_) 117
„ 71. — Homra to El Obeid, _viâ_ Bara. (_Various_) 118
„ 72. — El Dueim to Obeid, _viâ_ Hashaba. (_Lloyd_ and _More_) 119
„ 73. — Gedid to El Dueim, _viâ_ Um Deisis. (_Lloyd_ and _Talbot_) 120
„ 74. — Shat Wells to El Obeid, _viâ_ J. Kon. (_Talbot_ and _Lloyd_) 120
„ 75. — Shawal to Gedid, Dar El Ahamda and Tagale. (_Morant_) 122
„ 76. — Goz Abu Guma to Dar El Ahamda. (_Morant_) 124
„ 77. — „ „ El Obeid, _viâ_ Sherkeila and Rahad. (_Leveson_) 125
„ 78. — Gedid to El Rahad. (_Lloyd_) 126
„ 79. — Kaka to opposite Jebelein. (_Wilson_) 127
„ 80. — Omdurman to El Safia Wells. (_Smyth_) 129
„ 81. — Debba to El Obeid, _viâ_ Safia. (_Currie_) 130
„ 82. — Shegeig to El Showa, _viâ_ Kagmar. (_Lloyd_) 131
„ 83. — Bara to Kagmar. (_Lloyd_) 132
„ 84. — El Obeid to Foga, _viâ_ Masrub. (_Lloyd_) 133
„ 85. — „ „ _viâ_ Gleit, etc. (_Carter_) 134
„ 86. — Abu Agaga to Bara. (_O’Connell_) 135
„ 87. — Foga to Kaja (Bir Soderi). (_Mahon_) 136
„ 88. — Nahud to El Fasher. (_Carter_) 137
„ 89. — „ Bur Islam. (_Townsend_) 137
„ 90. — „ Foga. (_Lloyd_ and _Wilkinson_) 138
„ 91. — Foga to Um Badr. (_Wilkinson_) 139
„ 92. — Bara to Foga. (_O’Connell_) 140
„ 93. — Nahud to El Eddaiya and Muglad. (_Mahon_) 141
„ 94. — Foga to El Eddaiya, _viâ_ Kaja Serrug. (_Carter_) 142
„ 95. — El Obeid to Nahud (direct). (_Meyricke_) 143
„ 96. — „ „ _viâ_ Abu Zabbat. (_Lloyd_ and _Townsend_) 144
„ 97. — „ El Eddaiya, _viâ_ Sungikai. (_Lloyd_ and _Townsend_) 145
„ 98. — „ Keraia (J. Tagale), _viâ_ J. Daier. (_Various_) 146
„ 99. — Keraia to Rashad and Gedir. (_Various_) 148
„ 100. — Kaka to Gedir. (_Mahon_) 148
„ 101. — El Obeid to Dar El Jange. (_Wilkinson_) 151
„ 102. — River Kir to Fauwel. (_Wilkinson_) 156
„ 103. — El Obeid to Sungikai, _viâ_ El Atshan. (_Lyall_) 157
„ 104. — Dilling to El Obeid, _viâ_ Sungikai, etc. (_Lyall_) 157
„ 105. — Routes in Dar Nuba. (_Leveson_) 158
Chapter IX.
North-Western Sudan.
No. 106. — Selima to Nile, opposite Kosha. (_Hodgson_) 167
„ 107. — Dongola to Lagia El Kebir. (_Hodgson_) 167
„ 108. — „ Bir Sultan. (_Hodgson_) 169
„ 109. — Debba to El Obeid. (_Compiled_) 171
„ 110. — „ Omdurman. (_Ravenscroft_) 172
„ 111. — „ „ _viâ_ Elai. (_Compiled_) 174
„ 112. — Ambugol or Korti to Metemma. (_Compiled_) 174
„ 113. — Korti to Bayuda and Sedeiri. (_Bunbury_ and _Sudley_) 178
„ 114. — Merowe to Jakdul. (_Talbot_) 179
„ 115. — „ Berber. (_Smyth_ and _Friend_) 181
„ 116. — Sani to El Zuma, _viâ_ Jura. (_Henry_) 181
„ 117. — Jura to Kirbekan. (_Henry_) 182
„ 118. — Omdurman to Gabra. (_Talbot_) 183
„ 119. — Gabra to Korti. (_Talbot_) 184
„ 120. — Korti to Bayuda Wells. (_Talbot_) 186
„ 121. — Bayuda Wells to Tangasi. (_Talbot_) 187
N.B.—Other routes which apply to this chapter are:—
No. 81. — Debba to El Obeid, _viâ_ Safia. (Chapter VIII) 130
„ 122. — Arbain Road. (Appendix) 189
Appendix.
Routes Partly Outside The Sudan.
No. 122. — The Arbain Road. (_Various_) 189
„ 123. — Aswan to Deraheib. (_Bramly_) 195
„ 124. — Kassala to Massaua. (_Morant_) 196
„ 125. — Takarashorit (K. Gash) to Umbrega (Setit). (_Morant_) 200
„ 126. — Gallabat to Chelga. (_Parker_) 202
„ 127. — Lake Tsana (Goja) to Gandoa. (_Parker_) 204
„ 128. — Addis Abbaba, _viâ_ Gojjam and L. Tsana, to Gallabat. (_Baird_) 206
„ 129. — „ to Famaka. (_Gwynn_) 210
„ 130. — Roseires to Abu Ramla and Dunkur. (_Gwynn_) 215
„ 131. — Dunkur to Gallabat. (_Gwynn_) 217
„ 132. — Fazogli to Kirin. (_Jackson_) 218
„ 133. — Kirin to Kodok. (_Gwynn_) 222
„ 134. — K. Bosuk, _viâ_ K. Eine, to Goha. (_Smith_) 225
„ 135. — Goha, _viâ_ K. Barsu, to Bosuk. (_Smith_) 225
„ 136. — Camp (K. Bosuk) to Asosa. (_Smith_) 226
„ 137. — Asosa to K. Bosuk, _viâ_ Surgalla. (_Smith_) 227
„ 138. — Gore to Abwong. (_Wilson_) 227
„ 139. — Gondokoro to Uganda. (_Dugmore_) 231
„ 140. — Roads in the Lado Enclave. (_Various_) 236
=Part III.=
=Routes.=
* * * * *
Chapters I. And II.
(_Nil._)
Chapter III.
(North-Eastern Sudan.)
* * * * *
1.—No. 6 Station (S.G.R.) To Deraheib.
By Colonel Hon. M. G. Talbot, R.E., December, 1902.
[Sidenote: General.]
The road described below is only one of several that might have been taken, but I believe it is perhaps the most direct. The portions between No. 6 and Murrat, and along the Wadi Alagi must be common to all routes.
[Sidenote: Nature of road.]
There are no gradients on the road sufficiently steep to form a serious obstacle to laden camels, but there are a good many places after the Wadi Abu Bard is left, where the stony nature of the road is trying for the feet of plains camels, though the camels of the country seem to make nothing of it.
[Sidenote: Water.]
Water is scarce and not always good. If marching with hamla,[1] arrangements should be made to carry at least two nights’ water.
[Sidenote: Fuel and shade.]
Once the W. Telat Abda has been reached, fuel and shade can always be obtained with very little management. Till then there is practically no shade. No fuel between No. 6 and Murrat; a little between Murrat and W. Telat Abda.
[Sidenote: Grain.]
No grain is obtainable. Sheep and goats and some milk can be obtained wherever Arabs are met with. The position of the Arabs and their flocks depends on the season of the year, and the distribution of the previous year’s rainfall.
---------+---------------+---------------+---------------------------- | Hamda Hours. | Miles. | Place. +--------+------+--------+------+ Description. | Inter- |Total.| Inter- |Total.| |mediate.| |mediate.| | ---------+--------+------+--------+------+---------------------------- _No. 6 | — | — | — | — |No. 6 Station on Halfa- Station | | | | |Khartoum Railway, 127 miles (S.G.R.)_| | | | |from Halfa, and 1,555 feet | | | | |above sea level. | | | | | | | | | |British foreman. Telegraph | | | | |office. | | | | | | | | | |No station buildings nor | | | | |accommodation for persons | | | | |detained there. | | | | | | | | | |Well with steam pump gives | | | | |12,000 gallons daily. Water | | | | |contains some salts, but | | | | |drinkable. Nile water can be | | | | |obtained for small parties | | | | |from station supply. Some | | | | |“selem” bushes give firewood | | | | |and a little grazing for | | | | |camels. No inhabitants | | | | |except railway staff. No | | | | |supplies. | | | | | | | | | |Is the base of the staff of | | | | |the Egypt and Sudan Mining | | | | |Syndicate now developing Um | | | | |Nabari or Nabadi mine. | | | | | | | | | |The track, now pretty well | | | | |marked, makes straight for | | | | |the N. end of J. Keheli, | | | | |after rounding which it | | | | |makes for J. Mindara, | | | | |keeping a couple of miles to | | | | |the N. of it. Road | | | | |practically level and mostly | | | | |good trotting surface, | | | | |though sand a little heavy | 7 | 7 | — | — |in places. | | | | | | 3¼ | 10¼ | — | — |Road crosses a low saddle | | | | |and descends into one of the | | | | |branches of the Wadi Murrat, | | | | |amongst a lot of low tangled | | | | |hills. After following the | | | | |wadi for 300 yards or so, | | | | |another saddle is crossed to | | | | |cut off a bend, after which | | | | |the wadi is followed till it | | | | |joins the main wadi, just | | | | |before the fort of Murrat is | | | | |reached. | | | | | _Murrat_ | 1 | 11¼ | — | 34 |The engineer of the Egypt | | | | |and Sudan Mining Syndicate | | | | |has fitted a pump in one of | | | | |the wells in the wadi, which | | | | |gives cleaner, though not | | | | |less bitter water than | | | | |before. The Arabs and | | | | |Berberi servants drink it | | | | |uncomplainingly, but | | | | |Europeans are advised to | | | | |avoid it if they can. About | | | | |10 miles slightly N. of W. | | | | |up the main Wadi Murrat is | | | | |the site of the Um Nabari or | | | | |Nabadi mine, now being | | | | |developed by the Company. | | | | |Road quite easy along the | | | | |wadi. | | | | | | | | 1½ | 35½ |On leaving Murrat fort the | | | | |track keeps down the wadi | 1 | 12¼ | 1½ | 37 |for 1½ miles, then turns off | | | | |to the left over somewhat | | | | |stony ground, and, crossing | | | | |a saddle and the head of | | | | |another affluent of the Wadi | 1¾ | 14 | 4 | 41 |Murrat about 1½ miles | | | | |further on, descends easily | | | | |into the basin of the Wadi | | | | |Dayob. Across slightly | | | | |undulating ground, aiming | | | ½ | 41½ |just to the left of J. Abu | | | | |Dayob, a rocky sand-covered | | | | |hill (with a pillar on the | | | | |top) which, though only 200 | | | | |or 300 feet high, stands up | | | | |well amidst its | | | | |surroundings, and turns down | | | | |the wadi past its northern | | | | |foot. | | | | | | ½ | 14½ | ½ | 42 |Along the wadi passing a | | | | |gorge about 50 yards wide; | | | | |wadi then turns rather to | | | | |S.E. There is some camel | | | | |grazing here. | | | | | | | | | |Road now turns to left out | | | | |of wadi, and, after crossing | | | | |low ridges for about one | | | | |hour and passing near some | 1 | 15½ | — | — |“selem” bushes in one of the | | | | |wadis, enters a plain ½ to 1 | | | | |mile broad, and heads | | | | |generally for J. Kerar | | | | |Berar. | | | | | | ½ | 16 | 3¾ | 45¾ |Half-a-mile further on J. | | | | |Mosiai (pillar on top) is at | | | | |right angles about 1 to 2 | | | | |miles distant on left. | | | | | | 1½ | 17½ | — | — |Track leaves plain over low | | | | |ridges and descends by | 1 | 18½ | — | — |gentle slope obliquely to | | | | |Wadi Mosiai. There are a few | 1¾ | 20¼ | — | — |of the peculiar dom palms of | | | | |the country above where wadi | | | | |is struck, and a little | | | | |“selem” and some scrubby | | | | |plants below. Track keeps | | | | |down wadi generally, till it | | | | |gets well clear of the low | | | | |hills, when it turns half | | | | |left over open plain, good | | | | |going, and passes an | | | | |isolated patch of “selem” | | | | |bushes in Gabgaba. | | | | | W. | 2 | 22¼ | 16 | 61¾ |The bed of the Gabgaba is ¾ Gabgaba | | | | |to 1½ miles wide in places, | | | | |consisting of several | | | | |channels separated by flat | | | | |gravel. The bed itself is | | | | |sandy, honeycombed with rat | | | | |holes, and very bad going. | | | | |Immense quantities of the | | | | |“handal” plant grow in it, | | | | |and in years of good | | | | |rainfall dura is cultivated. | | | | | | | | | |Track, leaving the wadi half | | | | |right, keeps over a gravel | | | | |plain with gentle slopes | | | | |till it strikes the W. Telat | | | | |Abda just outside the low | 2¼ | 24½ | 6 | 67¾ |hills. | | | | | | | | | |There is plenty of “selem” | | | | |in the wadi, giving good | | | | |camel grazing and abundance | | | | |of firewood. | | | | | _Bir | 3 | 27½ | 8¼ | 76 |Track keeps up wadi, Telat | | | | |occasionally making short Abda_ | | | | |cuts to right to get better | | | | |going, as wadi is heavy in | | | | |places, to well at foot of | | | | |rather higher hill on left | | | | |bank which has two stone | | | | |pillars. | | | | | | | | | |The well gives good water, | | | | |but not very much of it. | | | | |About ¼ mile higher up under | | | | |the right bank where the | | | | |wadi forks is another well | | | | |generally used for watering | | | | |camels. From here the roads | | | | |to Abu Tabag and Naba | | | | |branch. That to Naba keeps | | | | |straight on, that is up the | | | | |right-hand branch of the | | | | |fork. Naba is about 17 miles | | | | |from Telat Abda, whence it | | | | |draws its drinking water. | | | | |Near Telat Abda well is a | | | | |sayal tree that gives good | | | | |shade. | | | | | | | | | |The track starts up the Khor | | | | |Liseiwi, or left-hand branch | | | | |of the fork, past the upper | | | | |well, but soon turns to | | | | |right from it to cut off a | | | | |corner, and drops into the | | | | |khor again at a water hole | | | | |(generally dry) under Jebel _J. | 3 | 30½ | 6 | 82 |Liseiwi (marked by a Liseiwi_ | | | | |pillar). | | | | | W. | 2 | 32½ | 6 | 88 |Keeps up khor and, crossing Abaraga | | | | |a low saddle, descends into | | | | |Wadi Abaraga. | | | | | | ¼ | 32¾ | ¾ | 88¾ |Keeps up wadi, which is well | | | | |wooded with selem, sayal and | | | | |the single-stemmed fan palm | | | | |(_Medemia argun_), and | ½ | 33¼ | 1½ | 90¼ |passes some wells close | | | | |under left bank. The wadi | | | | |flows through very broken | | | | |low hills, 200 to 400 feet | | | | |high. | | | | | | 1¼ | 34½ | 3½ | 93¾ |Track issues on to open | | | | |space where the hills recede | | | | |and wadis come in from all | | | | |directions. | | | | | | — | — | 4 | 97¾ |Track now turns N.E., | | | | |passing between some low | | | | |hills over gravelly plain, | — | — | 4¼ | 102 |and turns S.E. up wadi, now | | | | |confined between rounded | | | | |reddish hills. The palms | | | | |have now ceased, but selem | | | | |is still found. The hills | | | | |soon get lower and wadi less | | | | |confined. | | | | | | — | — | 4½ | 106½ |A track from Hesmet Omar. | | | | | | — | — | 2¼ | 108¾ |Saddle at head of Wadi | | | | |Abaraga is reached, easy | | | | |ascent and descent commenced | | | | |over gently sloping gravel Wadi Abu | 7¾ | 42¼ | 2¼ | 111 |to the Wadi Abu Bard which Bard | | | | |flows through an open valley | | | | |2 to 3 miles wide. Plenty of | | | | |wood in wadi. | | | | | | — | — | 2 | 113 |The same direction is | | | | |continued across the wadi | — | — | 3½ | 116½ |till a low saddle is | | | | |crossed, and track descends | | | | |a branch of Abu Bard for a | | | | |little more than a mile; | | | | |then across an open space | | | | |N.E. up an affluent of the | | | | |same branch till it crosses | | | | |a low saddle at its head and | | | | |descends into an affluent of | | | | |the Wadi Hesmet Omar. This | | | | |part is very stony and | | | | |severe on plains camels, | | | | |though the gradients are not | | | | |heavy. The track keeps down | | | | |the valley, crossing a | | | | |couple of affluents bounded | | | | |by low hills, till it | | | | |reaches another low, but | | | | |stony saddle, whence it | | | | |descends into and crosses an | | | | |affluent of the Wadi Abu | | | | |Tabag or Wadi Ga; after | — | — | 5 | 121½ |another 2 miles of stony | | | | |ground the track descends | — | — | 2 | 123½ |into another branch of the | | | | |Abu Tabag wadi, which it _Abu | 5½ | 47¾ | 2 | 125½ |follows till it reaches the Tabag_ | | | | |well. | | | | | | | | | |The valley opens out a bit | | | | |here, though immediately | | | | |over the well there are low | | | | |hills which still carry the | | | | |breastworks erected by | | | | |Beshir Bey’s men as a | | | | |protection against | | | | |dervishes. | | | | | | | | | |The well is about 20 feet | | | | |deep, of which the lower 12 | | | | |feet, is revetted with | | | | |stone. Plenty of water. Many | | | | |small partridges. | | | | | | | | | |An Inspector’s rest house | | | | |has been built here. Some | | | | |fine sayal trees. | | | | | | | | | |There are a number of dom | | | | |palms trying to come up, but | | | | |none have succeeded in | | | | |showing any trunk yet. | | | | | | | | | |The wadi here is, I believe, | | | | |called the Wadi Ga, but I am | | | | |not sure. | | | | | Wadi Ga | — | — | 2 | 127½ |The track continues down the | | | | |wadi for 2 miles and turns | | | | |off to the left over flat | | | | |and undulating ground; easy | | | | |going for some miles, the | 4¼ | 52 | 10 | 137½ |general direction being a | | | | |little to the left of J. | | | | |Kirmai, crosses the Wadi Ga | | | | |(plenty of selem) and cuts | | | | |over a low saddle at the | | | | |north end of Kirmai. | | | | | Wadi Abu | — | — | 2 | 139½ |After about 2 more miles, Kitabab | | | | |heavy going, over sand- | | | | |covered ridges the track | | | | |descends into the Wadi Abu | | | | |Kitabab, which joins the | | | | |Wadi Ga about 1½ miles below | | | | |where the track crosses it. | | | | |There are plenty of trees of | | | | |several different sorts. | | | | | | 2 | 54 | 3 | 142½ |Road continues up wadi for 3 | | | | |miles to a point where it | | | | |forks. | | | | | | | | | |The southern branch is also | | | | |called Abu Kitabab. The | | | | |track to Sohanit and Onib, | | | | |viâ _Mashushenai well_ (very | | | | |little water), ascends it. | | | | |The other branch is called | | | | |Ebeirid. After ascending it | — | — | 4 | 146½ |for 4 miles, low saddle is | | | | |crossed; after 4½ more miles | | | | |of mostly very stony ground, | | | | |ending in a short and very Wadi | 3½ | 57½ | 4½ | 151 |rough descent, the Wadi Abdelala | | | | |Abdelala is reached. This | | | | |wadi is here well wooded. | | | | |Lots of marakh. The track | | | | |ascends it a short distance | | | | |and then turns up a side | | | | |khor, out of it to left into | | | | |another and over an easy | | | | |saddle down into Wadi Bitna | | | | |or Butna; confined bed, high | | | | |hills on right bank. | | | | | | 1½ | 59 | 4½ | 155½ |Top of Mashushenai just | | | | |visible, a few selem and a | | | | |good many samr trees. | | | | | | | | | |Track keeps down wadi, | | | | |cutting off one or two | | | | |corners, stony, but not very | | | | |bad going. The bed gets | | | | |narrower and low cliffs more | | | | |perpendicular till wells are | | | | |reached at a place where a | | | | |projecting cliff appears to | | | | |bar the passage. Just before | | | | |reaching it some tombs are _Wells_ | 1½ | 60½ | 4 | 159½ |passed. | | | | | | | | | |There are two wells or water | | | | |holes about 5 feet in | | | | |diameter, surface of water 6 | | | | |feet below bed of wadi. Lots | | | | |of good water. | | | | | | | | | |The track continues, | | | | |original direction, for | | | | |about ½ mile and then turns | | | | |E., and a mile further on | | | | |meets the Wadi Elei coming | | | | |from the S.E. The united | | | | |wadi now flows a little E. | | | | |of N., the hills diminish | | | | |and the valley increases in | | | | |width and the vegetation | | | | |decreases. After 2 miles the | | | | |track turns off to right, up | | | | |what was a good track a year | | | | |or so ago, but is now barred | | | | |by waves of sand. After some | | | | |three miles, most part of | | | | |which is very heavy going, | | | | |the track descends into the | | | | |broad and ill defined bed of | | | | |an affluent of the Wadi | 2 | 62½ | 4½ | 164 |Elei. Little grazing. | | | | | | | | | |Over bare undulating plain, | | | | |dotted with hummocky ridges | | | | |of decomposed granite more | 3½ | 66 | 10 | 174 |or less covered with sand. | | | | |Good going till a low and | | | | |easy watershed is crossed Wadi | 1¼ | 67¼ | 3 | 177 |and track descends easily to Nasari | | | | |Wadi Nasari, a broad well | | | | |wooded wadi that comes from | | | | |Jebel Sohanit, and joins the Wadi | 1½ | 68¾ | 4 | 181 |Alagi a few miles N. of Alagi | | | | |where the track strikes it. | | | | |Track crosses wadi in the | | | | |direction of Jebel Eigat | | | | |and, passing through some | | | | |low hills, reaches the Wadi | | | | |Alagi. Track quite easy. | | | | | | | | | |The Wadi Alagi here is at | | | | |least ½ mile wide, bounded | | | | |by low hills on both banks, | | | | |but rising higher behind on | | | | |the right bank. It contains | | | | |many refreshingly green | | | | |trees of several sorts, | | | | |marakh, heglig, sayal, sidr, | | | | |arak, &c. | | | | | _Wadi | 2 | 70¾ | 6 | 187 |Up wadi, which narrows to Taimurit_| | | | |about 300 to 400 yards. It | | | | |is joined on the left bank | | | | |by a khor called Taimurit, | | | | |up which there is a | | | | |waterhole, good water. On | | | | |the right bank opposite it | | | | |is a hill conspicuously | | | | |higher than the majority of | | | | |those that overhang the | | | | |wadi. | | | | | | | | | |On both banks are remains of | | | | |houses, and a quartz reef is | | | | |conspicuous on the left | | | | |bank. The latitude of | | | | |junction of Taimurit and | | | | |Alagi is 22° 1′ 11″, so | | | | |most, if not all, the reef | | | | |is north of 22°. It shows | | | | |marks of having been | | | | |prospected. | | | | | _Wadi | 1 | 71¾ | 3 | 190 |One hour further on, where Neshd_ | | | | |the wadi changes the | | | | |direction of its flow from | | | | |S.W. to N.W., some tombs | | | | |close under the right bank | | | | |are a landmark for the Wadi | | | | |Neshd, which comes in on the | | | | |left bank opposite. There is | | | | |good water in the Wadi | | | | |Neshd. | | | | | | | | | |The wadi now begins to wind | | | | |more. Two hours further on _Wadi | 2 | 73¾ | 6 | 196 |the Wadi Kamotit on right Kamotit_ | | | | |bank is passed. There is | | | | |good water a short way up | | | | |it. | | | | | Deraheib | 4¼ | 78 | 12 | 208 |The wadi now begins to | | | | |wriggle about without, | | | | |however, much decreasing in | | | | |width. The hills on either | | | | |side continue to be of no | | | | |great height, and in one or | | | | |two places the track crosses | | | | |low saddles to cut off | | | | |corners; good trees all the | | | | |way. | | | | | | | | | |At Deraheib is a ruined | | | | |castle of stone set in mud, | | | | |with two or three pointed | | | | |arches set in lime. Another | | | | |building of nearly equal | | | | |size in plan, but not so | | | | |high, and the ruins of a | | | | |number of houses and | | | | |shelters are on the left | | | | |bank. On the right bank, | | | | |nearly opposite, are a | | | | |number of ruined stone | | | | |houses arranged in streets, | | | | |and covering 3 to 4 acres. | | | | |They are built in stone and | | | | |mud, but a few arches in | | | | |lime are to be seen. The | | | | |ruins are evidently greatly | | | | |filled in and might possibly | | | | |repay excavation. There are | | | | |small stone shelters of the | | | | |same kind up various khors. _Water_ | — | — | — | — |The _nearest water_ now is 2 | | | | |or 3 miles off up a wadi | | | | |that joins the left bank of | | | | |the Alagi about 1½ miles | | | | |further up. | | | | | | | | | |The latitude of the N.W. | | | | |corner of the ruined castle | | | | |is 21° 56′ 48·5″. | | | | | | | | | |On the low hills on left | | | | |bank, within ½ mile of the | | | | |fort, are a number of shafts | | | | |sunk in the reef which is | | | | |here very apparent. In | | | | |December there were very few | | | | |Arabs in the Wadi Alagi. In | | | | |the summer there are many. | | | | | | | | | |The rate of the hamla has | | | | |been taken at 2½ to 3 miles | | | | |per hour, as, I think, my | | | | |camels went. Neither times | | | | |nor distances, therefore, | | | | |can be relied on absolutely. ---------+--------+------+--------+------+----------------------------
2.—Suakin To Berber.
[Sidenote: Roads.]
There are two main routes between Suakin and Berber, both joining at Obak. The first, _viâ_ Tambuk—Dissibil—Kokreb—Ariab and Obak, the most northerly of the two, is the usual caravan route. Major Prout (1877) states that “this route is quite practicable for wagons, the greater part of it being indeed an admirable road for wheels; some difficulty would, however, be found in getting wagons over the passes of Hareitri and Kokreb, and the dunes of Obak. At these three points some work, not much, but rather expensive, would have to be done to make the route a good wagon road.” The chief difficulty lies in the arid stretch of 114 miles between Ariab and Berber, for which Obak, lying about halfway, provides the only water.
The second route, _viâ_ Sinkat—Hormareb—Amet—Rowaya and Obak is 5 or 6 miles shorter, but not so well known. It is occasionally used by caravans, but although the water supply is good, the road is bad about Sinkat.
(α) NORTHERLY ROUTE.[2]
Major W. S. Sparkes, October, 1897, And December And January, 1897-98.
--------------+--------------------+---------------------------------- | Miles. | Place. +-------------+------+ Description. |Intermediate.|Total.| --------------+-------------+------+---------------------------------- Suakin | — | — |Road runs in north-westerly | | |direction alongside formation | | |level of old Suakin-Berber | | |railway. Good road, and easy going | | |through scrub, with mimosa and | | |acacia trees. Plain covered with | | |camels and flocks of goats | | |grazing. Gentle rise all way to | | |Handub. | | | _Handub Well_ | 10 | 10 |Water here practically unlimited, | | |slightly brackish; good camp | | |ground, fuel, and grazing for | | |camels. Water about 20 feet down. | | | | 3 | 13 |Track enters hills, which | | |gradually close in on either side, | | |going still good and gentle rise. | | | _Otao Well_ | 6 | 19 |Two wells here, giving good water, | | |holes in ground, could be easily | | |developed, at present sufficient | | |for two companies infantry and | | |their transport. Formation level | | |of old railway ends here. | | | _Tambuk Well_ | 5 | 24 |Good water, supply practically | | |unlimited, now three wells, would | | |be easily increased. Good camp | | |ground, fuel and grazing. Gazelle, | | |hares, partridges, and doves along | | |road, Handub and Tambuk. Water in | | |wells about 15 feet down. | | | | 2 | 26 |To here going stony and rough, | | |then through a short defile, and | | |somewhat better; trees and shrubs | | |all along. | | | Khor Ossaud | 5 | 31 |A sudden, short, sharp ascent, a | | |½-mile level, stony ground, Olip | 1 | 32 |without a shrub, and down to Khor | | |Ossaud broad khor, full of trees, | | |&c.; excellent going. | | | Khor Adit | 1 | 33 |Khor Adit, the main khor from | | |Sinkat, which is about 20 miles | | |distant, meets Khor Ossaud. Some | | |gazelles, many doves in this khor, | | |also numerous herds, goats and | | |camels grazing. Junction of khor, | | |called Olip. | | | | 3 | 36 |Track bends suddenly to right, and | | |crosses a short and easy “agaba,” | | |or pass. This is a short cut, main | | |khor could be followed, and pass | | |avoided, if necessary. This would | | |make good halting place for | | |infantry. It is 15 miles from | | |Tambuk; plenty fuel and grazing. | | |No water, but probably could be | | |found if sunk for. | | | _Dissibil | 7 | 43 |One large well, which is merely (well)_ | | |hole scooped in ground, gives | | |plentiful supply good water; | | |similar water holes could be dug | | |without difficulty, and supply | | |water practically unlimited; good | | |camp ground, fuel, and grazing. | | | | | |Dissibil khor full of trees and | | |shrubs; many gazelle and rock | | |grouse and doves. | | | | 4 | 47 |Track crosses small pass or agaba, | | |thence runs under high mountains | | |on left hand, called Jebel Tamei. | | |Chain of low stone hills on right, | | |going fair all time. | | | Odrus | 7 | 54 |Track debouches on wide open | | |plain, perhaps 15 miles by 10, | | |called Wadi Odrus; is covered with | | |coarse grass and stunted mimosa. | | |Gradual rise up to here, now | | |gentle descent to centre of Wadi | | |Odrus, where a narrow khor known Tekarti | 6 | 60 |as Tekarti. In good rain season | | |considerable quantity of dura is | | |grown along edge of this khor, but | | |on Dissibil side and to eastwards | | |only. Several well-grown trees | | |along edge of khor. This is 15 | | |miles from Dissibil, and would | | |make suitable halting place for | | |infantry. No water, except after | | |rains; good camp ground, fuel, and | | |grazing. A gradual rise from here. | | | | 3¼ | 63¼ |On right of track, under low hill, | | |several stone huts of Hamdab | | |tribe. | | | | 2 | 65¼ |Wadi Odrus ends and track crosses | | |outlying stony ridges of Amud | | |range. | | | | 2 | 67¼ |A sharp gradient and highest point | | |of whole route is reached 2,870 | | |feet above sea level. A sharp | | |descent by about ¾ mile of rocky | | |agaba or pass, which, however, | | |presents but little difficulty to _Khor Hareitri| ¾ | 68 |passage of all arms, leads to Khor (well)_ | | |Hareitri, a rather narrow defile (Tamai) | | |between high stone hills. Stony, | | |baddish going, full of sunt or | | |mimosa trees, and patches of | ¾ | 68¾ |coarse grass. Three-quarters mile | | |up khor is well, known as Bir | | |Tamai by some, by others as simply | | |Hareitri, a stone revetted well, | | |giving good water about 12 feet | | |down, rough wood huts on other | | |side of well. | | | _Adel Aweb_[3]| 3¼ | 72 |Rain pools found all along edges | | |of khor, and 3 miles from Tamai a | | |very large deep pool, giving any | | |quantity good water. Natives say | | |pools all disappear in winter a | | |few months after rain ceases, but | | |wells could be sunk with success | | |anywhere in khor. The big pool | | |above called by natives Adel Aweb. | | |Good grazing and fuel here, | | |indifferent camp ground on account | | |of stones. Rock grouse and doves | | |in khor, which is about 5 miles | | |long. | | | | 1 | 73 |Hareitri defile ends, and wide | | |open plain called Wadi Tisartem is | | |reached. Here dura is cultivated. | | | | 1½ | 74½ |A few huts on right, and some dura | | |grown in good rain season, a good | | |camp ground near here, fuel and | | |grazing, but no water, though not | | |impossible, might be found. | | | | 4 | 78½ |Track crosses low rough ridges for | | |½ mile. | | | _Salalat | ½ | 79 |Khor Haab thick with fair-sized (well)_ | | |trees, a sandy plain. Two and | | |a-half miles off track, to left or | | |south, is Bir Salalat, two wells, | | |partially revetted wood, water | | |good, about 40 feet down. Supply | | |limited, each well could, perhaps, | | |supply 600 gallons, and would then | | |require three hours to refill, | | |more wells could easily be sunk. | | |Good camp ground, fuel and | | |grazing, and some fair-sized trees | | |near wells. These wells cannot be | | |relied on as permanent. In 1903 | | |they had been dry for 2 years. | | | | 3½ | 82½ |A slight rise brings track to | | |level plateau of gravelly trap, | | |smooth and firm, no vegetation, | | |leading down to Khor Furd. | | | | 2½ | 85 |A very large patch cultivation | | |dependent on rainfall, nothing | | |could be grown this year. | | | | 5½ | 90½ |Across a neck, high irregular- | | |shaped rocky hill few hundred | | |yards to right, large black | | |boulder to left. Quarter mile | | |further is level, open, gravelly | | |piece of ground, suitable for | | |camp, with fuel and grazing, but | | |no water. From here vegetation | | |gradually ceases. | | | | 2 | 92½ |Cross neck of Iglaladat, outlying | | |ridge with high mass of rock on | | |left. From here hills close in and | | |track along base of outlying spurs | | |and ridges. | | | Khor Kokreb | 3½ | 96 |Agaba or pass leading to Khor | | |Kokreb begins, a descent, a slight | | |rise, then a steep and rocky, but | | |not difficult, piece, in all about | | |½ mile, and khor is entered; ½ _Hayaba | 1 | 97 |mile on and well called Hayaba, a (well)_ | | |hole in ground, water a few feet | | |down and good, only one hole at | | |present, but others could be dug | | |in very short time, giving a | | |practically unlimited supply. | | |Rough wooden hut and Arab grave, | | |and on left of well good camp | | |ground, water, fuel, and grazing. | | | _Sarbit | 1½ | 98½ |Revetted stone well, good water (well)_ | | |about 10 feet down, sufficient for | | |battalion, good ground, fuel, and | | |grazing. | | | | 4 | 102½ |Track, now well to right of khor, | | |runs over a neck between small | | |rocky hills for short way, then | | |sand, then rocks, with graveyards | | |on each side; ½ mile on and low | | |rocky chain hides main khor from | | |track, hills gradually close in. | | | | 1½ | 104 |Hills now come in from north at | | |right angles to track, and appear | | |to entirely block up khor; under | | |these hills was situated the | | |Dervish post of Osman Digna. A | | |collection of tukuls, sufficient | | |for about 200 men, and surrounded | | |by a thick thorn zariba; clear, | | |level space, some 700 yards to | | |front and flanks, within 200 yards | | |of hills at back; a well enough | | |chosen position as regards | | |covering road from Suakin. A | | |narrow and short defile on extreme | | |left affords an exit, and khor | | |again widens somewhat. | | | _El Matar | 1½ | 105½ |A hole scooped in ground, good (well)_ | | |water a few feet down, enough for | | |half battalion at present, but | | |could be quickly increased by | | |digging other holes. Camp ground, | | |grazing, and fuel here. Track now | | |bends to left and crosses neck | | |between two old graveyards. | | | _Abd El Haabit| 1½ | 107 |Two wells here, about ½ mile (well)_ | | |apart, one on track, other ½ mile | | |to left. The one on track a hole | | |in khor, good water, limited | | |supply, enough for about 100 | | |camels, before refilling in two | | |hours. Other revetted stone, now | | |dry, but could easily be reopened. | | | | | |All these four last wells in Khor | | |Kokreb, which is wide, full of | | |trees and shrubs, with stony hills | | |here and there, many gazelle, | | |doves and rock grouse. Track | | |follows khor in all about 10 | | |miles, when it branches to right. | | | | | |Track now enters wide open plain | | |of black stone, but good going, | | |bare but for few stunted mimosa, | | |and coarse patches of grass. | | | | 5 | 112 |Stone ceases, and firm sand takes | | |its place. | | | | 2½ | 114½ |Track bends to right among patches | | |of huge boulders. | | | | | |Directly after entering Agortitweb | | |Plain, a black hill, surmounted by | | |what appears to be two tower-like | | |masses of rock, makes an excellent | | |landmark, as tracks leads straight | | |on to it. | | | Lagag Aweb[4] | 1½ | 116 |Above-mentioned landmark is (called by | | |passed, it lies to left of road, natives half | | |and on close inspection becomes a way to Berber)| | |smooth, oval base of rock, with | | |irregular mass at approach end, | | |while other block dissolves into | | |two huge boulders, one with a | | |considerable lean to east. Pass | | |between this, which is called | | |Lagag Aweb, on left, and a smaller | | |rocky hill on right, is considered | | |by natives as half way to Berber. | | | | | |Track now winds for 2 miles round | | |base of low stony hills, crosses a | | |neck, then on left a strip of | | |coarse grass and stunted mimosa, | | |bearing away to left, while hills | | |on left also spread away. For some | | |way further, track winds along | | |base of hills on right, when they | | |also spread away, and the stony Wadi Yungul or| 2½ | 118½ |plain called Wadi Yungul is K. Yomga | | |reached, going good. Good camp | | |grounds, but indifferent grazing, | | |and no water or fuel in Wadi | | |Yungul. Yungul Plain ceases, track | | |winds to right between low stony | | |hills. A little over 1 mile and | 6½ | 125 |narrow khor, with few trees and | | |coarse grass, is crossed, then | | |again winds through low hills. Two | | |connected hillocks of white marble | | |being a prominent feature | | |immediately to left of track. | | | | 3 | 128 |The Ariab valley is entered, it is | | |thick with scrub and fair-sized | | |trees, with numerous herds, goats, | | |&c. The hills stretch away on | | |either side. Natives report there | | |is a well called Makardi off track | | |to left under the hills, but that | | |it gives but little water. | | | _Ariab[5] | 3 | 131 |Three miles up valley are Ariab (well)_ | | |wells. One large stone-revetted in | | |centre of khor, giving practically | | |unlimited supply, excellent water. | | |Water about 20 feet down. 150 | | |yards from this well are two | | |others, also revetted, stone one | | |gives plentiful supply, other | | |partially choked for want of use. | | |Good camp ground, grazing, water | | |and fuel. Many of gazelle, doves, | | |and rock grouse in valley. Track | | |now leaves Khor Ariab on right, | | |and goes south-west through black | | |stone hills, low on right, high on | | |left, somewhat bad going. | | | | | |Level plain, covered tufts coarse | | |grass, half stony, half sandy, | | |good going. | | | | | |Through low hills, rather bad | | |going. | | | Wadi Barud | — | — |Wide level plain, covered coarse | | |grass, good going. | | | Wadi O’Duruk | — | — |Level plain, good going, some | | |coarse scrub, stunted trees. | | | | | |Track leaves O’Duruk on right and | | |passes to left of, and immediately | | |below, a high stone hill, across a | | |small khor, and then winds among | | |low stone hills. | | | Wadi Temartua | — | — |Good going, partly firm sand, | | |partly stony. | | | Khor Laiameb | 44 | 175 |A broad khor running about east | | |and west, almost at right angles | | |to track. Said to contain pools | | |after rain, about 4 miles to west | | |of track. Small mimosa trees and | | |coarse grass; water might be found | | |if sunk for. Track after crossing | | |Khor Laiameb again goes over hilly | | |stony ground. | | | Jebel O’Fik | 2½ | 177½ |On right of track country open and | | |level again, a few trees and some | | |grass here. | | | Wadi Tatua | — | — |After passing Jebel O’Fik the Wadi | | |Tatua is entered; sandhills, &c., | | |in khor; Obak can be seen in | | |distance; good going. | | | | 5½ | 183 |Across a low ridge, going still | | |good. | | | | | |Plain becomes covered with small | | |mimosa bushes; 1½ miles through | | |these bushes and Obak sandhills | | |and drifts are entered. | | | _Obak (well)_ | 9 | 192 |Large new well, gives 2,000 | | |gallons when full; takes 10 hours | | |to refill. Water slightly | | |brackish. Natives say that there | | |were formerly 50 or 60 of these | | |wells, but have fallen in from | | |want of use. Wells, revetted wood; | | |water about 40 feet down. | | |Indifferent camp ground, some | | |grazing and fuel. | | | | | |For 3 miles after Obak track lies | | |through heavy sand over hills and | | |drifts, then good level going, | | |only occasional sand. | | | | 14 | 206 |Some trees and grass here; | | |suitable camp ground; water might | | |possibly be found. Site of | | |proposed well. | | | Jebel Eremit | 2 | 208 |A low granite hill on left of | | |track. | | | Abu Odfa | 5 | 213 |Curious-shaped mass of rock on | | |right of track. | | | Wadi Abu Selim| 21 | 234 |Some trees and grass; water could | | |probably be found. Site of | | |proposed well. | | | _Maho Bey | 11 | 245 |Good revetted well, 40 feet down, (well)_ | | |covered by mud brick fort; | | |excellent water, practically | | |unlimited supply, good camping | | |ground, fuel and grazing. | | | Berber | 6 | 251 |Except for first 3 miles all going | | |from Obak to Berber excellent. --------------+-------------+------+----------------------------------
Summary Of Wells On Northerly Route.
-------------+--------+--------------------------------------------- Name of well.|Distance| Description. | apart. | -------------+--------+--------------------------------------------- | Miles. | | | Handub | 10[6]|Slightly brackish, unlimited supply. | | Otao | 9 |One well, hole in khor; good water could | |be developed. | | Tambuk | 5 |Good water about 15 feet down, unlimited | |supply. | | Dissibil | 19 |One well, good water hole in khor, at | |present (1898) sufficient half battalion | |and transport; could be increased at will. | | Tamai | 25 |In Khor Hareitri; well also by some | |called Hareitri. Stone, revetted, about | |12 feet deep, good water; well itself | |sufficient for half battalion and | |transport, but supply easily increased. | |Rain pools all along Khor Hareitri; one | |very large and deep called Adelaweb, 3 | |miles from Tamai. | | Salalat | 11 |One and a-half miles to left of road, two | |wells, revetted stone, one practically | |choked. Good water about 40 feet down, | |limited supply, enough for 50 camels, and | |takes 2 hours to refill. | | Hayaba | 18 |Hole in sand, 4 feet deep, met | |immediately on entering Khor Kokreb; good | |water, supply practically unlimited, as | |similar holes can be dug in very short | |time. | | Sarbit | 1½ |In Khor Kokreb, good water about 10 feet | |down, revetted stone. | | Matar | 7 |Hole in khor, still Kokreb, good water, | |supply half battalion, but could be | |developed. Former watering place of | |Dervish Kokreb post 1½ miles off. | | Id El Haabit | 1½ |Hole in khor, good water, sufficient half | |battalion, could be developed. | | Ariab | 24 |One very large well, revetted stone, good | |water about 20 feet down; two smaller, | |also revetted stone, one now choked. | |Water sufficient at present for one | |battalion and transport, and could be | |developed. | | Obak | 61 |One large stone revetted well, giving | |excellent supply of good water. | | Maho Bey | 52 |Large stone revetted well, good water, | |large supply. -------------+--------+---------------------------------------------
(β)—BERBER TO SUAKIN (SOUTHERLY ROUTE).
The mileage is estimated by pace of camels, and there appears to be but little difference between the northerly and southerly routes; the Arabs, however, call the south road the longer.
Water supply is quite equal to that on north road, and all wells, being more or less deep sunk, do not get fouled by animals drinking direct from them, as is the case with surface wells, such as Dissibil, Hayaba, &c. These wells are also much more used by Arabs for watering their flocks than those on other track, and, without exception, they are surrounded by diruks, or earth-made drinking pans, which are scarce on other road.
A long rope and deluk, or native sort of bucket of thin hide, would be required at each well.
For movements of troops the north road is infinitely to be preferred, as going throughout is comparatively easy for all arms. On south road, numerous agabas, or passes over the hills, make going hard and difficult. The big agaba between Sinkat and Tamaneb is almost impossible for wheeled artillery.
(β) SOUTHERLY ROUTE, _viâ_ OBAK, RAUAI, KHOR ARAB, AND SINKAT.
By Major W. S. Sparkes, November, 1897.
--------------+--------------------+---------------------------------- | Miles. | Place. +-------------+------+ Description. |Intermediate.|Total.| --------------+-------------+------+---------------------------------- Berber | — | — | | | | _Maho Bey_ | 6 | 6 |_Vide_ report on north road. | | | Khor Abu Selim| 11 | 17 | „ „ | | | Abu Odfa | 21 | 38 | „ „ | | | Eramit | 5 | 43 | „ „ | | | _Obak Wells_ | 16 | 59 | „ „ | | | Ofik | 14 | 73 | „ „ | | | | 4½ | 77½ |Track to Rauai branches away to | | |right. Also a track to Rauai a few | | |miles after leaving Obak. | | | | 1½ | 79 |Through low stony hills and Khor | | |Laiameb is struck; track runs | | |straight along khor. Going good; a | | |gradual rise; Khor Wusser runs | | |side by side with Laiameb, and | | |appears to form part of it. | | | | 17 | 96 |Track leaves Khor Laiameb and | | |crosses low neck of rock; low | | |black stone hills on right hand; | | |scattered boulders, some of | | |similar shape to Abu Odfa on left | | |hand. Hills gradually close in, | | |and track crosses stony but not | | |difficult agaba, or pass, some ¾ | | |mile long. | | | | ¾ | 96¾ |A path to left leads over hills to | | |Ariab. | | | | 1¾ | 98½ |Over stony khor, then into hills | | |again, and is stony, steep, bad | | |going. | | | _Rauai Wells_ | 2 | 100½ |Stony sort of square, surrounded | | |By stone hills, with a narrow khor | | |running out each corner. Large | | |graveyard on right. A few mimosa | | |trees and some coarse grass. | | |Indifferent camping ground. Wells | | |½ mile up a narrow, rocky defile, | | |running from east corner of | | |square; two wells, revetted stone, | | |good water 15 feet down; | | |practically unlimited supply. This | | |defile impassable for animals, | | |which must go by easier way over | | |hills to south-west, and then down | | |side of hill again to the wells. | | |Some rough drawings of camels, | | |men, &c., scratched on rocks round | | |wells. Rock grouse and partridges | | |here. Track now runs north-west | | |over short agaba, across a stony | | |khor, and again an agaba winding | | |over bare, stony hills; bad going; | | |then a long, narrow, sandy khor; | | |fair-going; then a rough, stony | | |agaba leading over hills called | | |Hadia Aweb or blackwater rock; | | |thence into Khor Thela, a short _Makadia | 14½ | 115 |agaba, and Bir Makadia, in small Wells_ | | |khor same name, at head of Ariab | | |valley; Ariab wells, about 6 miles | | |west of north from here; one well | | |good water 30 feet down, enough | | |for one battalion, which would | | |require 1½ hours to refill; good | | |grazing ground and fuel. Some | | |gazelle and grouse; north road | | |about 3 miles from well. Going | | |from Rauai bad, nearly whole way a | | |succession of stony agabas. Prom | | |here cross stony neck, then across | | |head of Ariab valley. Pass Jebel | | |Bokmaali on left hand, cross a | | |stony neck, and | | | Yungul | 4 | 119 |Reach Wadi Yungul; north road | | |about 8 miles to left; 4 miles, | | |then cross another stony neck, and | | |Wadi Beakwa, called by Arabs | | |halfway to Suakin. | | | Khor Atbai | 7½ | 126½ |Cross Khor Atbai; 3 miles on cross | | |old dura patch, none this year on | | |account of bad rains. Over two | | |sandy and stony ridges and | | | Wadi Kokreb | 3½ | 130 |Enter Kokreb valley; good going, | | |firm sand, and thick with trees | | |and shrubs. Over some stony ridges | | |and | | | Khor Olowe | 2½ | 132½ |Enter Khor Olowe, still a part of | | |Kokreb. | | | _Magwala | 3½ | 136 |Two wells, good water, 75 feet Wells_ | | |down, sufficient for one | | |battalion; would require some | | |hours to refill; these wells are | | |said by Arabs to be oldest on | | |road; they are revetted granite, | | |which is deeply grooved all round | | |from constant hauling up of water. | | |Are much used by Shebodinab tribe, | | |who have huts close here. Many | | |hods, or earth-made drinking pans, | | |round each well. Some old Dervish | | |“tukuls,” which used to be | | |occupied by a detachment, for | | |collecting taxes. Good camp | | |ground, fuel and grazing, pigeons | | |and sand grouse; no gazelle. Wells | | |of Abd El Haabit lie some 7 or 8 | | |miles to north, and Jebel Wowitte, | | |about 8 miles to north-east; Jebel | | |Lagagaweb, the halfway rock on | | |north road, is seen some 6 miles | | |to north of west from here. | | | | | |Khor now gradually gets bare and | | |intersected by strips of stone. | | | | 4 | 140 |Cross a ridge and Khor Lasheb, | | |going indifferent, cut up by small | | |watercourses over a ridge. | | | _Wadi Habub_ | 3 | 143 |Wadi Habub. Going still | | |indifferent, across many ridges | | |running into khor, 5½ miles on; | | |track runs along edge of hills, | | |and then enters the Komotitai | | |hills by very stony and difficult | | |agaba or pass, about 1½ miles | | |long, then into sandy khor, full | | |of vegetation of sorts. 2 miles up | | |this khor to the | | | _Kamotitai | 11 | 154 |Wells of same name, _i.e._, Wells_ | | |Kamotitai, three wells, revetted | | |stone, good water 25 feet down | | |unlimited supply. Many other wells | | |in this khor now closed up; much | | |used by Arabs, and at each well | | |numerous hods. Good camp ground, | | |fuel, and grazing; sand grouse and | | |pigeons in abundance. | | | | | |A short way past wells, track | | |bends to left past large | | |graveyard; then across alternate | | |khors and ridges; indifferent | | |going. | | | Khor Arab | 7 | 161 |Thick with trees of all sorts, and | | |considerable cultivation in good | | |season. Two deep watercourses | | |crossed soon after entering khor; | | |3 miles on the track runs to north | | |of khor, over stony ridges, with | | |low stone hills on either hand. | | | Jebel Okwer | 7 | 168 |Jebel Okwer begins on left of | | |khor, several small pyramid-shaped | | |hills on right, and khor | | |stretching away beyond them. | | | _Khor Amate | 3½ | 171½ |Over a low ridge, and Wadi Amate Wells_ | | |begins; track running across large | | |patch of old cultivation into a | | |sandy khor; one well some 200 | | |yards to right, another ½ mile | | |straight on. There is a third | | |well, now closed. These wells, | | |revetted wood, good water 12 feet | | |down; supply practically | | |unlimited; many hods. Good camp | | |ground, fuel and grazing. A stone | | |hut close to well, and place thick | | |with sheep and goats, and some | | |cattle. | | | | | |Track from here runs north-west, | | |over small agaba into narrow khor | | |thick with trees. Okwer range | | |still on left; low hills on right | | |3½ miles, and hills on right hand, | | |and track again enters main Khor | | |Amate. Batta range on far right | | |and in front; ½ mile on Okwer | | |range ends. | | | | 4½ | 176 |Track to _wells of Abu Goloda_ | | |runs north from here. | | | | 3½ | 179½ |End of Khor Amate, and Batta range | | |entered by fairly easy agaba, | | |running east 1½ miles; then cross | | |small stony khor, then another | | |agaba through smaller hills, going | | |bad. | | | _Hormareb | 3½ | 183 |Jebel Homugwer away in distance to Well_ | | |right, ¾ mile off track to north | | |in small khor same name, Bir | | |Hormareb; one well, good water 25 | | |feet down; supply about 1,000 | | |gallons; requires some hours to | | |refill. Several hods round well; | | |good grazing and fuel, indifferent | | |ground. _Another well_ reported, | | |same description, 3 or 4 miles | | |further up khor to north. From | | |here bad going, over stony ridges | | |and small khors. | | | Wadi Ma’areit | 3½ | 186½ |Large graveyard on right, and | | |track turns sharp to left up Wadi | | |Ma’areit, a broad level valley, | | |running north and south; good | | |going, and considerable | | |cultivation after good rains. This | | |year a few patches dura. North- | | |west corner of valley thickly | | |studded with trees, and was in old | | |days a favourite summer resort of | | |people from Suakin. | | | | 6½ | 193 |Hills close right in on either | | |side, and the narrow wooded Khor | | |Ashaf leads through hills 2 miles; | | |track bends north-east, 1½ miles | | |on, and cross a flat khor, with | | |sparse vegetation, thick with | | |flocks. | | | | | |Now over alternate rough ridges | | |and small ragged khors. 2½ miles | | |down a sharp agaba into a small | | |khor, green and sweet smelling, | | |then wind round base of hills | | |miles, and enter Khor Tabikuk. | | | Khor Tabikuk | 7½ | 200½ |Across this khor, 3½ miles, top a | | |ridge, and view Sinkat valley, | | |green and thick with people and | | |flocks; down small agaba, over low | | |ridge, and enter valley. | | | _Sinkat Well_ | 4½ | 205 |One large well, good water 25 feet | | |down; unlimited supply. Several | | |large gemmeiza trees round wells | | |give excellent shade; ruins old | | |Egyptian fort also close to wells. | | |Large village in valley, with | | |several thousand people, built | | |partly straw huts, partly Arab | | |tents, small bazaar, and large | | |stores of gum. | | | | | |Good ground, fuel and grazing. | | |Khor Adit leads from north Sinkat | | |valley towards Khor Ossaud. | | | | | |Track from well runs east across | | |valley, then over low ridge across | | |two deep watercourses, and up a | | |stony, gradually-narrowing khor, | | |which winds through the hills. | | | _Khor Gebet_ | 6½ | 211½ |A short but bad agaba, a small | | |khor, a ridge, another small khor, | | |another ridge and Khor Gebet; | | |about 3 miles up this khor to | | |right are two wells. | | | | 3 | 214½ |Commencement of the great Sinkat | | |Agaba or Pass, along which track | | |runs for 3½ miles; very bad, | | |difficult going, practically | | |impassable for wheeled artillery, | | |and would be altogether | | |impracticable but for the work | | |done years ago by Mumtaz Pasha, | | |then Governor of Suakin. In this | | |agaba the Khor Gwob rises, which, | | |gradually widening, eventually | | |reaches the sea some 7 miles south | | |of Suakin. | | | _Khor Gwob_ | 3½ | 218 |End of agaba, and good going over | | |firm sand; gradual descent down | | |khor, which gradually widens. | | |Hills on either side, thick with | | |tamarisk, and cactus, &c. Huge | | |boulders on each side also | | |protruding from bed of khor. Pools | | |of water, with thick reeds here | | |and there, in which were many | | |teal; also many partridges, rock | | |grouse, and pigeons in khor. | | | _Tamanib_ | 6 | 224 |Unlimited supply, good running | | |water; fair camp ground; excellent | | |grazing; plenty fuel. Many cattle | | |grazing here. | | | | | |Road now leaves Khor Gwob and | | |turns to right; runs over low | | |ridges, with small khors between; | | |full of gazelle, ariel and hares. | | | | 10 | 234 |Hills cease, and a straight down- | | |hill run into Suakin, over plain | | |covered with coarse vegetation. | | | Suakin | 10 | 244 |Suakin. --------------+-------------+------+----------------------------------
3.—Berber To Kassala.
COMPILED IN INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, KHARTOUM, FROM VARIOUS SKETCHES AND REPORTS, JUNE, 1902.
This route is very difficult to map or describe so as to be of use to the traveller, as there are hardly half a dozen unmistakable objects along it by which he could identify his position.
As the Atbara dries up, it leaves a series of pools along its bed. Where the banks allow of these pools being approached by animals, the Arabs’ flocks are taken to water, and paths are beaten or cut through the bush leading to these meshras.
[Sidenote: Guides.]
The ordinary Arab guide, even if he has been in the habit of travelling by this road for years, knows only a small number of these meshras, _i.e._, those most conveniently situated for the class of journey he has been in the habit of performing, and only one or two of the countless tracks. The only people who know all the small meshras off the road, and they perhaps over a limited portion of the river, are the Arabs (Hadendoas) who are grazing their flocks there. If the traveller, therefore, because he is marching with troops or for any other reason, wishes to use the less well-known meshras, he must depend on local inquiries and should, therefore, have with him men who speak Hadendoa.
Another great difficulty is the comparatively small number of men who know the names of any except the chief meshras. Consequently the average guide makes the names he knows extend over the whole length of the river. Where one ends, another begins. The Arabs grazing their flocks by the Atbara, on the other hand, will give you names for each little bit of the river, but these names are of little value, as no one else knows them.
[Sidenote: Rest houses.]
There are rest houses at intervals of about 20 miles between Berber and Kassala.
[Sidenote: Grazing.]
There is good grazing for camels practically the whole way.
[Sidenote: Travellers.]
Persons travelling by themselves in the hot weather may find it best to march very early in the morning, halt at water, and march again near sunset, carrying enough water for the night-halt away from the river.
[Sidenote: Supplies.]
No supplies of any sort are to be got along road, except perhaps milk and sheep.
[Sidenote: Game.]
There is good fishing in the Atbara. Gazelle, bustard and ariel are seen along the route in localities, varying with the season. Wild asses are numerous north of Goz Regeb.
[Sidenote: Inhabitants.]
Some Bisharin are met, and a good many nomad Hadendoas.
--------------+--------------------+---------------------------------- | Miles. | Place. +-------------+------+ Description. |Intermediate.|Total.| --------------+-------------+------+---------------------------------- Berber | — | — |From Berber the road runs between | | |the river and the railway. | | | Darmali | 13 | 13 |A mud built village on the Nile; | | |the usual road now branches | | |southwards, crosses the railway | | |and than a bare, gravelly, Khor El Hudi | 17 | 30 |waterless plain to Khor El Hudi. | | |(If preferred, the Atbara can be | | |followed by continuing along the | | |Nile to Atbara Station, which is | | |about 7 miles from Darmali.) | | | | | |From El Hudi, where the remains of | | |the Anglo-Egyptian zeriba are | | |still visible, the road skirts the | | |river which is fringed with dom Khor Abadar or| 8 | 38 |palms and other bush to Khor Abu Adar | | |Abadar, near the junction of which | | |there is a small stone wall | | |enclosure and the remains of | | |another Anglo-Egyptian zeriba. | | | | | |From here the road cuts off an | | |angle from the river and lies _Khor El Hilg_| 19 | 57 |across open gravelly desert till (Rest House) | | |Khor El Hilg is reached. | | | | | |(Nakheila, the site of Mahmud’s | | |zeriba and the battle of the | | |Atbara, is passed at the 12th | | |mile, about 5 miles to the west.) | | |There is dense bush about here, | | |and the ground is likely to be | | |swampy in the rains. | | | Sheikh El | 3½ | 60½ |The house stands on slightly Sebib’s House | | |rising ground. After passing this (Rest House). | | |the country continues to be broken | | |by small khors until after passing _Gemmeiza_ | 12 | 72½ |Gemmeiza, a good halting place, (Rest House) | | |but much bush hereabouts. | | | | | |The country soon becomes open and | | |level, and is covered with | | |scattered selem and sunt bushes. | | |The river is generally nowhere | | |more than a mile and half to the | | |west. | | | El Hagar | 14½ | 87 |Here there are rocks in the river | | |bed. | | | Khor El Fil | 1 | 88 |The going continues excellent | | |until reaching Khor Adarama which Khor Adarama | 8 | 96 |is about 1½ miles in width and is | | |marked by very thick scrub of | | |sunt, talh, and tundub, as well as | | |by the badly cracked cotton soil | | |indicative of standing water. | | | _Adarama_ | 1½ | 97½ |Adarama consists of a large number (Rest House) | | |of mud walled enclosures, | | |scattered over about ¾ of a square | | |mile of ground. These are almost | | |entirely deserted and mostly | | |ruined. With the exception of the | | |inspector’s house, camel corps | | |lines, and a few tukls, there are | | |practically no inhabited houses. | | |In the dry weather there are two | | |water pools in the vicinity, one | | |at the foot of Khor Adarama, and | | |another about ¾ mile higher up. | | |The approach to the river is easy, | | |but the bank shelves steeply to | | |the river bed from a height of | | |about 25 feet. | | | El Hejera | 1½ | 99 |A large zeriba of Osman Digna’s is | | |passed. | | | Um Bashim | 2 | 101 |The name of this district. After | | |passing through two patches of | | |bush about a mile apart, the | | |country becomes open and sandy, | | |and sand ridges appear to the | | |east. | | | El Siwan | 8 | 109 |Here the river may be approached, | | |and further on the track passes | | |within a few yards of the river | | |bank. | | | _Shellalab_ | 10½ | 119½ |Shellalab, a sandy hill covered (Rest House | | |with marakh bushes. From here the near here). | | |track continues to the river bank, | | |through scattered marakh bush, and | | |sand hills lie away to the east. Gala Amarus | — | — |The river can be approached almost | | |anywhere, and the path is never _Meshra Baluk | 21½ | 141 |more than about ½ a mile from it. or Um Beiba_ | | |Jebel Ayob is visible about 7 (Rest House). | | |miles due east. | | | | | |From here the path traverses | | |scattered bush, and in places | | |badly cracked cotton soil, | | |indicating the existence of water | | |in the rains, and gradually | | |ascends an easy slope on to the | | |plateau, and thus cuts off a bend | | |in the river. | | | Debba Gulal | 13 | 154 |Debba Gulal. | | | | | |The descent from the plateau | | |begins 3 miles further on, and the _Meshra_ | 7 | 161 |river is struck at a good meshra. | | | _Meshra | 3 | 164 |The path continuing near the Mitateb_ (Rest| | |river, Mitateb, the first meshra House). | | |in the Hadendoa country, is | | |reached. The Bisharin country on | | |right bank ends here, as also the | | |Berber Province; the Province of | | |Kassala is now entered. Rest house | | |here. | | | | | |From here the path gradually | | |ascends a gentle slope to the | | |plateau, from where Jebels Ofreik | | |and Erembat soon become visible. | | |Scattered heglig, tundub, and samr | | |trees are noticeable, of these | | |samr predominate as Goz Regeb is | | |approached. | | | | | |Two miles before reaching old | | |telegraph hut the road descends | | |from the plateau, and the river is | | |reached at this hut, which forms a | | |good halting place. The village of _Goz Regeb_ | 15 | 179 |Goz Regeb is situated on a slight (Rest House) | | |eminence close to the river on the | | |left bank, and is marked by a few | | |dom palms. Some Government | | |buildings are now in course of | | |construction on the right bank, | | |the idea being that Goz Regeb | | |should form a sanatorium for | | |Kassala during the rains. The | | |direct track to Kassala and that | | |in general use leaves J. Erembat | | |to the north, and strikes straight | | |across the level plain. At about _Bir Teishum_ | 38 | 217 |38 miles, Bir Teishum is passed in (Rest House) | | |the bed of a branch of the Gash, | | |about 3 miles off the direct road. | | |It has been lately opened up, and | | |has a good supply of water, and | | |Arabs were living here (March, | | |1902). There is little shade to be | | |had on this road until after Khor Ebret | 20 | 237 |passing Khor Ebret, when kurmet | | |and other green trees and bushes Khor Gash | 5 | 242 |become numerous. On nearing the | | |Gash, signs of cultivation appear. | | | _Tukruf_ | 1¾ | 243¾ |Many wells in bed of Gash; | | |unlimited supply of water. | | | Kassala | 2¾ | 246½ |Destination.
ANOTHER ROUTE MAY BE TAKEN FROM GOZ REGEB _viâ_ ASUBRI TO KASSALA.
_Goz Regeb_ | 179 | 179 |The track ascends to the plateau | | |and follows the edge of it, | | |leaving the river several miles to | | |the west. There are several | | |meshras, all of which, however, | | |are almost impossible to find | | |without a guide. | | | _Meshra Um | 30 | 209 |This meshra is somewhere about Bereika_ | | |half-way. | | | _Asubri_ | 35 | 244 |Good meshra and shade. | | | | | |About 5 miles after leaving the | | |river for Kassala, the road from | | |Suweihil joins in, and rather | | |thick laot and kittr bush is Goz El Handal | 8½ | 252½ |traversed till reaching Goz El | | |Handal, an open gravelly plain | | |with short grass extending for | | |about 2 miles From here to | | |Umsiteiba there is little bush. | | | Umsiteiba | 13 | 265½ |A place where water stands in the | | |rains; not much shade. | | | Khor Garatet | 3 | 268½ |Rather swampy and difficult for | | |camels in the rains. | | | Khor Um Dahan | 6 | 274½ |Water stands in this khor in the | | |rains. It is about 6 yards wide | | |and 3 feet deep. | | | | | |There are Arab settlements near | | |here in the rains for cultivation. | | |After passing through some rather Khor Kunti | 6 | 280½ |thick laot, &c., bush, Khor Kunti, | | |about 8 yards wide and 6 feet | | |deep, is crossed. | | | Khor Gash | 4¼ | 284¾ |Many marakh and kurmet bushes | | |until the Gash is reached. | | | Kassala | ¾ | 285½ | --------------+-------------+------+----------------------------------
4.—Suakin To Tokar.
BY LIEUTENANT A. M. TAGGART, 1ST BOMBAY LANCERS, JULY, 1896; CAPTAIN MCKERRELL, CAMERON HIGHLANDERS, DECEMBER, 1897.
--------------+--------------------+---------------------------------- | Miles. | Place. +-------------+------+ Description. |Intermediate.|Total.| --------------+-------------+------+---------------------------------- Suakin | — | — |For the first 25 miles the track | | |is well defined, and leads over | | |hard ground never more than a mile | | |or two from the sea shore. During | | |the next 6 miles it changes in | | |character, and for the last 25 | | |miles leads through bushes and | | |over sandhills, the tracks varying | | |according to the season and the | | |difficulties (drifting sand, &c.) | | |to be encountered. There is no | | |water to be had on the way. A | | |telegraph line leads direct from | | |Suakin to Tokar, but does not | | |always follow the best road. | | | | | |Leaving Suakin in a S.S.E. | | |direction, the track is broad and | | |distinct, passing over hard, sandy | | |ground, with a few bushes 1 to 3 | | |feet high. | | | Khor Gwob | 7½ | 7½ |Crosses broad Khor Gwob. | | | | 3 | 10½ |Track now 5 to 10 feet broad, | | |approaches sea shore, then bears | | |away again. Near this point (4 | | |hours from Suakin) there are | | |reported to have been some wells | | |in 1885; water 6 feet down and | | |brackish, hardly ever used. | | | | 2 | 12 |Saw some trees due east, halfway | | |to the sea; said to be _wells of | | |Helub_. Water bitter, and but | | |little used. | | | | 3 | 15 |Track meets telegraph line. | | | | 2½ | 17½ |Over rising ground. Extensive view | | |in all directions to the westward, | | |well-defined khor trending north- | | |west. Sparse bushes 2 to 3 feet | | |high, ground hard and sandy, | | |overlying coral. Track descends | | |again; then level ground. | | | Khor Asab | 7½ | 25 |Reached Khor Asab, which runs in | | |from the hills to the west; it is | | |called half-way to Tokar. Here a | | |track branches off to the left, | | |and leads to Teb. | | | | 6 | 31 |Mud huts in ruins. Track becomes | | |narrow and indistinct. Bush | | |thicker, 4 to 8 feet high. | | | | | |Surface shifting sand, with clay | | |patches. | | | | 8 | 39 |Crosses several small khors, | | |sometimes traces of water here. | | |Bush very thick. | | | Khor Tamai | 2 | 41 |Small pool of rainwater (at | | |certain seasons only). | | | Mamuria | 4 | 45 |Ruined Mamuria of Mumtaz Pasha—mud | | |house. Telegraph line crossed | | |three times since the 31st mile. | | |Bush becomes thicker. | | | Old Tokar | 5 | 50 |Old Tokar—in ruins. Broken ground | | |and thick bush. | | | _Abdulla Rai_ | 2 | 52 |Abdulla Rai Fort (fat loopholed | | |tower, with pointed roof), on an | | |eminence, visible from some | | |distance. Nine wells here, water | | |good—never known to fail, 54 feet | | |down (July). Large herds of camels | | |and goats in the district. Thick | | |bush all round. | | | | | |Track now due south-east to Tokar, | | |surface hard and clayey, covered | | |in places with drifted sand; bush | | |3 to 6 feet high. Tokar signal | | |tower visible. | | | | 3 | 55 |Leave the bush, across level mud | | |plain to | | | _Tokar_ | 1 | 56 |Tokar, _vide_ Part I, Chap. III. --------------+-------------+------+----------------------------------
5.—TRINKITAT TO TOKAR, _viâ_ TEB.
By Captain Bower, I.S.C., And Editor, July, 1896.
--------------+--------------------+---------------------------------- | Miles. | Place. +-------------+------+ Description. |Intermediate.|Total.| --------------+-------------+------+---------------------------------- Trinkitat | — | — |The whole road from Trinkitat to | | |Tokar is passable for all arms, | | |and it is only when approaching | | |Tokar that the scrub about the | | |country becomes thick enough to | | |interfere with the action of | | |cavalry. | | | | | |For 2½ miles from Trinkitat the | | |road runs along a broad | | |embankment, on which for 1 mile an | | |18-inch gauge railway has been | | |laid down. After leaving the | | |embankment there is a sandy | | |stretch, and then about 2 miles of | | |narrow embankment just broad | | |enough for the railway line. This | | |embankment in places has rather a | | |serpentine course, and would have | | |to be straightened before rails | | |could be laid down. | | | _El Teb_ | 7 | 7 |At El Teb there is a small fort, | | |and an ample supply of water at a | | |depth of 17 feet. | | | | | |Three wells inside fort and | | |numerous ones outside, these | | |latter mostly for animals. | | | | | |The water in the different wells | | |varies in quality, but is all | | |slightly brackish. No ill effects, | | |however, appear to attend drinking | | |it, and the men quartered there | | |spoke favourably of it. | | | | | |The parapet of the fort is a brick
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