MASSOWAH. 
^97 
on shore with Andrew, but sent him in the long boat, in which 
there w^ere none but natives. 
Andrew and the boat returned early in the morning, with the 
information that none of them had been permitted to land, and 
that the naqueda of the dow had been seized for coming to us 
without permission. Andrew was given to understand, that the 
Sirdar of the Ascari had heard of our distress, and that he flat- 
tered himself with the hope, that by cutting off all supplies of fresh 
provisions and water, and by preventing any person from carrying 
our letters to Mocha, he should oblige us to surrender to him the 
large property which the Panther was supposed to contain. 
I immediately consulted with Captain Court on the measures 
which it would be proper to pursue. The imprisoning of the 
Hodeida naqueda, and the seizing his boat, were evidently acts of 
open hostility, as the man was in our immediate service, and, con- 
sequently, under our protection. It was therefore determined that 
we should endeavour to liberate him, by securing one of the market 
boats, which passed daily from Arkeko to Massowah; for this 
purpose the cutter and long boat were manned with Europeans, 
and armed. 
The boats appeared about two on their return, when Mr. Denton 
gave chase in the cutter, having received positive orders from 
Captain Court not to fire on them, unless hostilities were com- 
menced by them, and on no account to land, either on the island 
or main. On perceiving the cutter approach, the natives made 
for the nearest shore, when Mr. Denton, finding he could not over- 
take them, inconsiderately fired two guns over their heads to bring 
them to ; which they could not understand as a signal, but con- 
