4 ARRIVAL AT TAJOURAH. 



that we anchored in front of that town. The sails 

 being furled, a salute of seven guns was fired by 

 the brig, but some time elapsed before any notice 

 was taken of the honour by the people on shore, a 

 delay which was soon accounted for by Sultaun Ebin 

 Mahomed, the Sheik of the town, sending on board 

 for some gunpowder to enable him to return the 

 compliment. 



Capt. Young and Mr. Hatchetoor landed almost 

 immediately. I remained for the present on board, 

 as it was considered impolitic for me to appear 

 desirous of passing through the Adal country until 

 some positive information could be obtained respect- 

 ing the second division of stores which had been 

 sent up to Abyssinia some months before under the 

 charge of Mr. Bernatz, the artist, and the assistant 

 surveyor, Mr. Scott, respecting which none but the 

 most disastrous accounts had been received in Aden. 

 On the return of Capt. Young to the brig, I found, 

 much to my disappointment, that he did not feel 

 himself justified, under present circumstances, in 

 trusting into the hands of the people of Tajourah, 

 several boxes and packages which were to constitute 

 my charge. He also considered it would be highly 

 injudicious in me to make any attempt to pass 

 through the country in the disturbed state it was 

 then represented to be. Part of the mail, however, 

 he determined to forward, if possible, and had fixed 

 the next day for another interview with the Sultaun 

 to conclude some arrangements with him and his 



