OFF ZEILA. 



33 



people, I had reason to feel happy that circum- 

 stances had thus thrown me, upon the eve of the 

 commencement of my own travels, into the society 

 of an experienced and clever voyageur. 



March 6th. — We found ourselves this morning, 

 on awakening, anchored at some distance from 

 Zeila, at least six miles. The shallowness of the 

 sea over the outstanding coral reef prevented even 

 our small vessel from approaching nearer to the 

 town, and I could see from the deck several natives 

 wading from our own and other vessels towards the 

 shore. In about one hour, the keeper of the prin- 

 cipal gate seaward came on board in a small boat, 

 bringing three sheep as a present from the governor. 

 He was accompanied by two or three of the Arab 

 soldiers, of whom sixty or seventy are employed to 

 defend the town, in case of its being attacked by 

 the Soumaulee of the surrounding countries. 



From what I could learn, Zeila was held by 

 Arab and native merchants ; the Dowlar, or 

 governor, being appointed by the Sheriff of Mocha, 

 who formerly received some small tribute from the 

 town. Allee Shurmalkee has since my visit 

 either seized or purchased this town, and hoisted 

 independent colours upon its walls ; but as I know 

 little or nothing save the mere fact of its possession 

 by that Soumaulee chief, and as this change oc- 

 curred whilst I was in Abyssinia, I shall not say 

 anything more upon the subject. 



The officer who visited us in our boat,- carried 



VOL. I. D 



