Now Kerri is below the junction of
the Nile and the Asua; while Mahade, where all agree the other rapids
are, is above the junction; so that I may hope at Mahade to have a less
violent current to contend with, and to have the Asua waters in some
degree cushioning up that current. I have little doubt of being able
to take my steamer (the one constructed by Baker's[2] engineers at
Gondokoro) up to Kerri, for I have already there boats of as great a
draught of water. From Mahade it is some one hundred and thirty miles to
Magungo. About seventy miles south of Mahade a split takes place in the
river: one branch flows from east, another from west. I imagine that to
north of the lake a large accumulation of aquatic vegetation has taken
place, and eventually has formed this isle. Through this vegetation the
Victoria Nile has cut a passage to the east, and the lake waters have
done this to the west. Baker passed through a narrow passage from the
lake to Victoria channel. From Magungo to the Victoria Nile is said to
be a torrent to within eighteen miles of Karuma Falls. Perhaps it is
also in steps. Karuma Falls may be passable or not. And then we have
Isamba and Ripon Falls. If they are downright cataracts, nothing remains
but to make stations at them, and to have an upper and a lower flotilla.
If they are rapids, there must be depth of water in such a river in the
rainy season to allow of the passage of boats, if you have power to stem
the current.
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