JIDDA. 
311 
the former for six dollars each, and were oflPered the same number 
at the same price in the morning ; but on sending for them we 
learned they had been all sent on shore. The selling them to us 
was a trick of the naqueda's. Jelani was very urgent to buy some 
pistols. The Captain told him there were none on board except 
common ones — that I indeed had one pair, but those I wanted for 
for my own protection. He begged at least he might be permitted 
to see them. The Vizier sent to request the Doctor would visit 
some of his slaves, who had been wounded by the Wahabee. 
December 13. — All the party, except I and Captain Rudland, went 
on shore. Mr. Macgie had a great many patients, but the slaves were 
not to be seen, though he went to the palace twice, because the 
Vizier was asleep. A great many questions were asked about me : 
why I had been to India, as I was neither an admiral, a general, 
nor a governor? and what was to be the consequence now I was on 
my return home ? To all this they got very unsatisfactory replies ; 
curiosity they knew nothing about ; and it would have been very 
difficult to persuade them that pleasure brought me so far from 
home. 
In the morning the Emir Bahar came off with an answer from 
the Sheriffe to my letter. Andrew being on shore, we had no one 
to translate it ; he therefore left it, and said he would come again 
the next day. 
December 15. — The Emir Bahar came off according to his pro- 
mise, and read the Sheriffe's letter, w^hich Andrew contrived to ex- 
plain tolerably well. It contained the usual Asiatic compliments, 
and expressed his satisfaction, that his Vizier had received me in a 
manner becoming my rank, which he would have done himself had 
