S06 
JIDDA. 
know if I thought any arms or ammunition might be procured in 
India ; I said I thought there might, and offered my best services in 
making the appHcation, which were willingly accepted. The Vizier 
and Jelani both urged very strongly that we should leave them 
four of our men, who understood the use of great guns. He de- 
clared that they should not be tempted to change their religion, 
and that they should be allowed a house, and be made as comfort- 
able as the place would admit. I assured him we had none to spare, 
and that even if we had, it was contrary to our laws to dispose of 
any Englishman who belonged to a ship of war, or to any other, 
without his own consent, and, that I was sure none of my men 
wished to leave me. I gave strict injunctions to my servant and 
Andrew, on my return, not to mention this to any one, as I was by 
no means so confident as I pretended to be. We had rose water 
again, when we took our leave. I promised to send an officer with 
my seal to put it to the Sheriffe's letter ; which I did when we 
reached the ship at five o'clock, heartily tired with the day's work, 
though every thing had been most satisfactorily conducted, and 
we had reason to hope a relief from most of our distresses. I was 
saluted on my return with seventeen guns. 
December 11. — I went on shore about ten, landed at the Vizier's 
quay, and proceeded directly to Jelani. He was waiting to receive 
me at the door. We more fully detailed our wants. He promised 
twenty-five bags of rice, which was half the quantity we wanted, 
and said he would try for the rest. He seemed to speak more 
hesitatingly on the subject of our supplies ; complained of the great 
scarcity, and told us at once no fire wood was to be had. At length 
it turned out that we ought to make a present to the Vizier. I was 
