ants was not hampered nor their attention engaged by arrangements for the sick, which now demand the greatest attention, and are a source, in the present dangerous and unnavigable condition of the river, of much anxiety.
It must be a satisfaction to those at home to feel that no effort is spared along the line to facilitate the transport and lessen the discomfort of the wounded and sick going north. At present they are leaving Korti in considerable numbers, and their passage is easy and simple for some 150 miles down the river; then the cataracts and inevitable portaging begin again, and the men who a few months ago were engaged all day in the long struggle up the stream, now revisit the scenes of their labour under very different conditions. In convoys of from twenty to thirty, under a medical officer, of whom there are not too many, they start in whalers from the foot of the cataract at Hannek, and in a day, or a day and a half, they arrive at Kajbar. There tents and grass-huts close to the river are provided for their reception, into which the lying-down cases are at once conveyed by fatigue-parties with stretchers ready on the shore; meals are cooked, wounds dressed, and if another whale-boat convoy is ready at the foot of the cataract, and there is daylight sufficient for the move, only a few hours' halt is made, and the journey north continued. Those who are able to walk get over the distance – about a mile – on foot; the others are carried on stretchers, or on mules and cacolets, the baggage of all being conveyed on camels. About five ordinary or two lying-down cases go in each boat; coverings are provided, though at present not much required; and notwithstanding the inevitable discomfort, the minimum of grumbling is to be heard. Of course, after the transport across the desert from Gakdul and further south, the river journey is a pleasant change; and it is satisfactory to observe that, even in the worst cases of wounds, the pain occasioned by portage from head to foot of cataract is very slight. Occasionally when the health of the men has deteriorated en route, they are transferred to the station hospital; but the keen desire of all being to get on, the disappointment caused by such an arrangement is held to counterbalance the advantage, and the change is seldom made.
At Dal the same routine is again gone through; but the portage being longer, the invalids have to be portaged, generally on mules and cacolets, the whole distance. At Akasha the whale-boat transport ceases; and another desert march – which is comfortably arranged – of two short days takes place. The railway is now reached, which deposits its burden within a few yards of Surgeon-Major Will's admirably managed hospital, where, in addition to all that can be done for them by the doctors, they have the advantage of the Sisters' skilful care.
Simultaneously with sick going down in the empty returning whalers, the full convoys coming south, with a few camels by land, and scores of native craft by water, keep up the unceasing flow of rations, medical and ordnance stores. Thus all is still bustle and activity along the line, and with working hours modified by the great heat, will continue so to be for the summer months; the force guarding the communications and its commander being alike to be
