Note 219 — Chapter XIII

These boats are thirty days in reaching Jinnie; during the passage the Nile takes a considerable turn to the south, and returns again, forming a semi-circle; this curve is denominated (El Kos Nile) the curve, or bow of the Nile. A large stone is a substitute in these boats for an anchor, which would not hold in the muddy bottom of the river; these are attached to a cable, and thrown overboard at night, during which, watch is kept to prevent the Negroes from approaching, who often swim to, and plunder the boats, when not kept off by fire-arms.