II.] UPHOLDING OUR DIGNITY. 35 



refused to show the way to our rooms, but that the Balooches March, 

 had dispersed them. I again sent for Jemidar Issa, acquainting ^^'^^- 

 him that the British flag had been insulted by the attack on the 

 house over which it was ilying, and unless he arrested the cul- 

 prit at once, I should refer the matter to the admiral at Zan- 

 zibar. At the same time I dispatched messengers to Jemidar 

 Sabr, requesting his immediate presence to restore order. 



A lull now took place, and a passing thunder-storm having 

 afforded us a large supply of water, we thought it a capital op- 

 portunity for washing our dogs. And while engaged in this 

 interesting operation in a light costume, consisting only of py- 

 jamas and soapsuds, the turban of Jemidar Sabr appeared at 

 the top of the ladder, and we had to bolt incontinently, and 

 dress sufficiently to receive him with due respect. 



At first he professed his inability to do any thing ; but we 

 upheld our rights as Englishmen, and still insisted that the 

 man who had threatened and insulted us should be secured, or 

 we would report the case to Zanzibar, adding that he well knew 

 that if we adopted such a course neither his nor Jemidar Issa's 

 place would be worth five minutes' purchase. 



Both the jemidars still attempted to run with the hare and 

 hunt with the hounds; but seeing that we were determined 

 not to withdraw from the position we had assumed, promised 

 compliance with our demands, and in the evening reported that 

 the man was in prison. 



Two days' palaver about the matter then followed. We 

 wished the man to acknowledge his offense, or to be sent to 

 Zanzibar to be dealt with by the sultan ; while the two jemi- 

 dars and the principal inhabitants desired that no further ac- 

 tion might be taken in the affair. 



On the third day the father of the offender, a fine, dignified, 

 gray -bearded old Arab called on us, and made me feel almost 

 ashamed of myself by kneeling down and kissing my hands. 

 His son was very ill, he said, and promised that himself and 

 some of the principal inhabitants would be responsible for his 

 actions. This old man's humiliation was more than I could 

 bear, and I readily agreed to the immediate release of his son, 

 but added that in future we should all carry pistols, and told 

 him to caution his son that if he again attempted to draw 



