BAB-EL-MANDEB. 
15 
ship, who, from being more exposed, were soon of a perfectly red 
colour. 
On the beach is the tomb of a Mussulmaun saint, which, though 
a heap of fuins, is much visited. The extreme point is low, but 
rocky. We procured from its sides several shells, but none of 
value. It was now three o'clock, and we were all heartily fatigued. 
We took to our boat, but the breeze had so freshened that nothing 
but the shelter of the land prevented its being difficult to get on 
board. I am convinced that the Straits are not above three miles 
wide. We all took the precaution of anointing our faces; those 
who had had their bodies exposed, suffered severely ; we, who were 
more prudent, escaped with losing the skin off our noses. The 
bay in which we had anchored was most excellently defended by 
the island and promontory, and is much frequented by vessels 
that are too late to reach Mocha by day-light. Behind the hill, 
on which we were, is a wood of stunted mimosas, which seems 
of considerable extent, but would soon be exhausted, were Perim 
to be inhabited. We were too far out, and not land-locked, for some 
mountainous islands were visible through the Straits, composing 
part of the cluster called the Seven Brothers. The high land of 
Africa could be seen over the island, reaching up towards the 
north. This is, according to Bruce, the myrrh and frankincense 
country. 
On the 18th before day, the anchor was up, and we set sail. 
At sun rise we could perceive a ship enter the Straits and follow us. 
We had no doubt that this was the Fox frigate, Captain Vashon, 
as no other was likely to be in these seas, and Admiral Rainier 
had informed me that we should meet her here, as, at the 
