174 
BAY OF AMPHILA. 
that the sea, when at its highest elevation, rises above the level of 
some of the springs by which the wells are supplied ; and, hence, 
finding its way through the sands, renders the water at such times 
brackish. The natives on the coast, as well as the Arabs, do not 
term the water, when so impregnated, salt water, but call it by a 
name implying bitter water," and it may have proceeded from 
this cause that the term, which is used in the Scriptures, derived 
its origin. 
Near the wells a number of troughs made of clay are placed 
for watering the camels that are brought down every morning by 
the natives, who generally occupy the place from eight to ten 
o'clock. Our watering parties found these people uniformly civil, 
though, on the following occasion, a circumstance ridiculous in 
itself had nearly produced very unpleasant and serious conse- 
quences. One of our sailors, named Robinson^ during the absence 
of the mate, wantonly took a piece of fat pork, and rubbed it 
over the head and neck of a native who had been sent to attend 
the party. This incensed the man so highly, that, though old 
and feeble, he caught up his shield and spear, and swore by the 
Prophet that he would have revenge. At this threat the sailor 
with some reason became alarmed, when the rest of the party were 
obliged to interfere and get him off as speedily as possible to the 
boat. By this time the mate, who had been wandering a short dis- 
tance only with his gun, fortunately returned, and by kind words 
and a present of tobacco succeeded in appeasing the old man^s 
anger ; but the affair was not finally arranged till a regular com- 
plaint had been laid before me by the chief of the tribe, when it 
was settled with some difficulty, by the payment of twenty dollars. 
