164 
BAY OF AMPHILA. 
dissensions whicli had arisen between them and the inhabitants. 
I found also that intelligence had been received respecting 
the English expedition against the Johassiin Arabs, and the 
destruction of Ras el Kire, which, as the Dola informed me, had 
given rise to considerable alarm, lest we might intend a similar 
expedition against Massowa. I quieted his fears on this head, but 
avoided giving him any insight into my future intentions, through 
fear that they might transpire among the natives of the coast ; but 
I afterwards found that this precaution was needless, as the 
people on board the gelve did not dare to hazard the slightest 
communication with the shore, owing to the unsettled state of 
affairs among the tribes. 
As the Dola was anxious to return to Massowa, on account of a 
Mahomedan festival which was at this time celebrating, I imme- 
diately prepared an answer in Arabic to Mustapha Aga, thanking 
him for his attentions, and stating that it was my intention to be 
at Massowa in fourteen days ; at which time I expected the Ras's 
people down to meet me. The Dola departed with this letter 
on the eleventh. 
While the gelve was getting under sail, we witnessed an extra- 
ordinary instance of skill in diving. In the attempt to weigh 
the anchor the cable parted, when one of the natives instantly 
flung himself into the water, dived, and with the utmost resolu- 
tion dexterously fastened the two broken ends of the cable, a 
task which he completed in about two minutes, in so effec- 
tual a manner, that the anchor was immediately drawn by it out 
of the ground. The man after this daring exploit rose perfectly 
unconcerned, and without any apparent fatigue. Some of the 
