V 
BAB-EL-MANDEB. 13 
the names of Ass's Ears. Another bay is west of them, in size and 
appearance exactly like the former. Its western boundary is a range 
of rocksj one of which so perfectly resembles a funnel as to deserve 
that name : it can never be mistaken. The coast is shelving to the 
south of west. Before sunset the Cape itself was perfectly visible like 
a gunner's quoin, Cape St. Anthony being on our bow. This is not 
very high land. We kept at the distance of three or four leagues 
to avoid a shoal that extends out from it. The breeze continued 
from the eastward, and freshened as we advanced. At ten the island 
of Perim was in sight, and soon afterwards we entered the smaller 
straits which run between it and the land. We kept nearer the island 
than the main, with from eleven to six fathom water. The breeze 
was assisted by the tide,^nd soon brought us under shelter of the 
promontory. We anchored by twelve in smooth water, in defiance 
of a very strong breeze. 
Before day on the 17th the small boat was hoisted out. My 
servant and Mr. Hall were sent on shore with their guns and dogs, 
in hopes of killing us some game. After an early breakfast Mr. 
Salt and I, attended by Mr. Hurst the midshipman, and four sepoys, 
went on shore to see the country, and collect shells. We landed 
on the beach, on which nothing grows but a species of salicornia. 
A ridge of broken hills, detached from the Cape, rises about a mile 
from the shore : this we determined to ascend. The way up was 
craggy, but the heat of the sun was tempered by the strong breeze, 
and the fatigue was relieved by discovering several curious plants, 
and some mineral specimens. From the summit we had an excel- 
lent view of Cape Bab-el-mandeb and the island of Perim. A bay to 
the eastward of the Cape extends inwards a considerable way: the 
