198 
MASSOWA. 
On Saturday the 10th, we reached the harbour of Massowa, 
and as we entered it, saluted the fort with three guns. Immedi- 
ately after, on coming to an anchor, we had the gratification of 
seeing our super-cargo, and a party of Abyssinian s standing on the 
pier. We immediately sent off a boat to the shore, and soon had 
the pleasure of welcoming the former, Mr. Pearce, and a young 
Abyssinian, chief^ named Ayto Debib, op bQ^i*^. Pfhe latter had 
been sent down by the Has to attend me, and provide whatever I 
might want during my proposed journey and residence in Abys- 
sinia. He was one of the young men about the court during my 
former visit, and a portrait of him is given in Lord Valentia's 
work. I found him much improved in person, and I learned 
from Mr. Pearce that his conduct had proved so agreeable to the 
Ras, that about two years before my arrival, he had reinstated 
him in the district, from which his father had been driven by Fit 
Aurari Zogo. I had always entertained a very favourable opi- 
nion of this young man's abilities, and his character was raised 
still higher in my estimation on learning that he had shewn a 
faithful attachment to Mr. Pearce, throughout all the difficulties 
with which he had had to contend. 
I shall here introduce a short account of Mr. Coffin's journey 
aft^r leaving us at Amphila on the evening of the 10th of Janu- 
ary, until the party reached Massowa. 
" He soon discovered that the characteristic description of Alii 
Manda, given by Hadjee Belal, of his travelling like a drome- 
dary,'' was perfectly correct ; for notwithstanding that they met 
with an incessant fall of rain for two days, the young chief kept 
them constantly on the march for twelve hours each day. Their 
