52 
ANTALOW. 
present, among these one, who, we were informed, was one of his 
brother's wives, sat on the same couch with the Ras ; others were 
seated on the floor, and all seemed to do justice to the brinde and 
maize. 
"We were much distressed in the evening at the loss of our in- 
terpreter, Hadjee Hamed, who withdrew himself, as he informed 
us, from dissatisfaction at the treatment he had experienced from 
some of the Ras's people, telling me, that he would, " Please God," 
return in the morning. 
" September Z — We did not see any thing of the Ras in the 
morning, our breakfast being brought to our own apartment, and 
from hearing less noise than usual in the large hall, we had every 
reason to suppose it was one of their fasts. The day passed over, and 
we heard nothing of Hadjee Hamed, although we sent repeated 
messengers after him. From this circumstance, and certain reports 
which our servants collected in the town, we were led to believe 
that there was something not very pleasant going on ; but what it 
was, we were unfortunately not able to ascertain, being shut out 
from all communication, except with the Ras, to whom we sent our 
sal aams in the evening, which were politely returned. The ther- 
mometer at noon, in our room, was 63": much rain fell in the course 
of the evening. 
September S.— Being determined to explain myself, as well 
as I could, through Ibrahim, who spoke imperfectly the language 
of the country, I sent early in the morning to the Ras, requesting to 
speak to him. He returned for answer, that he would see me on 
the morrow. I sent a second message, but with as little effect, as 
he excused himself on the plea of being much engaged in business. 
