﻿96 REMARKS ON THE ISLAND 



with Akvi's younger son, in whose manner and ad- 

 dress there was something remarkably pleasing. 



Before sun-rise, on the 2d of August, I went alone 

 on shore, with a small basket of such provisions as I 

 might want in the course of the day, and with some 

 cushions to make the prince's palanquin at le-ist a toler- 

 able vehicle ; but the prince was resolved to receive 

 the dollars to which his men were entitled ; and he 

 knew that, as I was eager for the journey, he could 

 prescribe his own terms. Old Ahvi met me on the 

 beach, and brought excuses from Salim, who he said 

 was indisposed. He conducted me to his house, and 

 seemed rather desirous of persuading me to abandon 

 my design "of visiting the king ; but I assured him, 

 that, if the prince would not supply me with proper 

 attendants, I would walk to Domoni with my own ser- 

 vants and a guide. Shaikh Salim, he said, was 

 miserably avaricious, and that he was ashamed of a 

 kinsman with such a disposition ; but that he was 

 no less obstinate than covetous; and that, without 

 ten dollars paid in hand, it would be impossible to 

 procure bearers. I then gave him three guineas, 

 which he carried, or pretended to carry to Salim ; but 

 returned without the change, alleging that he had no 

 silver, and promising to give me on my return the 

 few dollars that remained. In about an hour the ridi- 

 culous vehicle was brought by nine sturdy blacks, who 

 could not speak a word of Arabic, so that I expected 

 no information concerning the countrv through 

 which I was to travel ; but Ahvi assisted me in a point 

 of the utmost conseqrfence. ' You cannot go,' said 

 he, ( without an interpreter, for the king speaks only 

 ' the language of this island ; but I have a servant, 

 4 whose name is Tumitni, a sensible and worthy man, 



• who understands English, and is much esteemed 



* by the king; he is known and valued all over 



