BAY OF AM PHI LA. 146 
accordingly prepared a letter for the Ras, at the top of which I 
drew the Abyssinian cross and characters usually prefixed to 
their epistles, and confided it, together with those written at 
Mocha, to his care. After partaking of some refreshments, and 
amusing himself with looking at some pictures, with which he 
seemed greatly delighted, he departed, accompanied, at his own 
desire, by Hadjee Belal, a native of Hurrur, before mentioned, 
whom he wished to attend him as a witness of his pro- 
ceedings. 
The latter subsequently proved as unequal to the undertaking 
as my former messenger, for on the 23d he returned alone, after 
having advanced only three days journey, at the end of which 
he was compelled by fatigue to give up the attempt. He in- 
formed me that the young chief travelled night and day like a 
dromedary," so that he found it totally impracticable to keep 
pace with him. At parting. Alii Manda made free to borrow 
from the Hadjee his shield and cummerband, under pretence that 
he might have occasion for them, a conduct which produced so 
much alarm in the old man's mind, that it led him to expect 
assassination every step he took on his return. I could not help 
pitying his difficulties and disasters^ though it may be observed 
" that the Arabs bred in towns are generally feeble, and irresolute, so 
that it is probable these hardships were greatly exaggerated. 
Since the day of our arrival at Amphila, Captain Weatherhead 
had been actively engaged in examining the bay and in sounding 
among the islands, with the hope of finding a better anchorage for 
the ship ; and on the 13th his zeal and perseverance were reward- 
ed by the discovery of a secure harbour, a circumstance peculiarly 
