166 
BAY OF AMPHILA. 
Nayib had come down to the neighbourhood of Arena with his 
troops. I attributed the desponding tone of this intelligence in 
a great degree to the effects produced on the minds of the natives 
by the heavy rains which had fallen in the three preceding days^ 
as it is a circumstance that always occasions serious inconvenience 
in a place where the huts are so slightly constructed as to be 
unable to resist the torrents which usually pour down at this 
season; and on going on shore the following day, I discovered 
that my conjectures were well-founded ; the whole village being 
in a deplorable state : the mats which had covered the huts 
were partly blown away, the rest were soaked completely through 
with the wet, and the inhabitants had got huddled together in 
the inner apartments, like cattle in ashed during a storm. Their 
wretched appearance strongly excited compassion, though it was 
not unmixed with contempt, at witnessing their extreme folly 
and want of precaution in not making the slightest preparation 
against such occasions. 
On the 19th, Alii Goveta and some of his friends came off to 
the ship by appointment, when I communicated to them, in as 
conciliating a manner as I could, my intention of proceeding to 
Massowa, and the circumstance of my having directed Mr. Pearce 
to meet me at that place. I pointed out to them the necessity for 
my adopting this plan, in order to prove to the Nayib and Aga 
of Massowa the contempt in which I held their threats, and my 
determination to communicate with Abyssinia by whatever route 
I might think proper. I proceeded to declare my perfect satisfac- 
tion at the treatment I had received from the Dumhoeta during my 
stay at Amphila, and I promised^ notwithstanding the change in 
