AT SEA. 
333 
it would be almost impossible for him to escape without a native 
pilot. The best pilots are Ali el Gaceni, Abou Mogannam, and 
Hassan Shaie. 
January 2. — We this day took leave of Captain Loane, who went 
on shore to try once more to dispose of his cargo. They had hitherto 
offered him only three dollars per bag for his rice, though they 
charged us ten. He asked six and a half, and was determined, if 
they would not give that, to quit the harbour.* 
With the morning breeze from the land, we quitted the harbour 
by the northern passage, when, dismissing our pilot, we proceeded 
on our way, till we saw the breakers off Charles's river. We were 
then much surprised and gratified at discovering a vessel to the 
westward, which, on approaching, we were convinced was not Said 
Doud s ship, nor his grab, we therefore hoped it might be the Prince, 
with our stores. We fired several guns, and made signals, but with- 
out obtaining any answer, or inducing her to alter her course, or 
wait for our coming up. We continued the chase all night. 
January 3,- — At five in the morning we came up with the strange 
vessel, and discovered, to our disappointment, that she was the 
Soolimaun, Captain Wilder, an Arab ship loaded with rice, but 
sailing under English colours. During the day we had light land 
and sea breezes from the southward. 
January 5.— Yesterday evening the favourable wind, which had 
carried us into lat. 23^ N. left us, and a stiff breeze set in from the 
northward, accompanied by a heavy swell, which greatly damped 
* Captain Loane did not sell his rice, quarrelled with the Vizier, who would not give 
him a pilot, ran aground in attempting to leave the harbour, but got off, to be cap- 
tured by a French privateer in the Indian seas. 
