Not only had he thus protected our effects, but he had taken the opportunity of delivering the polite message to Mek Nimmur that I had entrusted to his charge--expressing a wish to pay him a visit as a countryman and friend of Mr.Mansfield Parkyns, who had formerly been so well received by his father.
My intention was to examine thoroughly all the great rivers of Abyssinia that were tributaries to the Nile.

These were the Settite, Royan, Angrab, Salaam, Rahad, Dinder, and the Blue Nile.

If possible, I should traverse the Galla country, and crossing the Blue Nile, I should endeavor to reach the White Nile.

But this latter idea I subsequently found impracticable, as it would have interfered with the proper season for my projected journey up the White Nile in search of the sources.

The Hamran Arabs were at this time encamped about twenty-five miles from Wat el Negur.