The previous night had been one of the most unpleasant Gregory had ever spent.

The long-expected rain had come at last.

It began suddenly; there was a flash of lightning, and then came a violent burst of wind, which tore down the tents and the flimsy shelters of the Egyptians and Soudanese.

Before this had ceased, the rain poured down in a torrent; lightning, wind, and rain kept on till morning, and when the start was made, everyone was soaked to the skin.

The Egyptian baggage left at the same time, in native craft.
That evening they arrived at the mouth of the Shabluka Cataract.