18 
MOCHA. 
I was painfully surprised at learning from Mr. Pringle, that the 
idea of examining the western side was so disagreeable to Captain 
Keys, that he had applied to him to allow him a room at' the fac- 
tory, till he could procure a passage back to Bombay, as he was 
determined, in consequence of ill health, to give up the command 
to his first officer. Mr. Pringle, at my request, pointed out to him 
in such strong colours the consequences that would ensue, that he 
abandoned his intentions ; but an impression of anxiety was left on 
my mind, which by no means diminished the evils necessarily at- 
tendant on a voyage of discovery. I, however, determined to 
execute the business I had undertaken, in defiance of any sur- 
mountable obstacle, and therefore began to make every necessary 
enquiry respecting my intended route. 
I discovered that a regular communication existed between 
Mocha and Massowah, and between that place and Suakin; that 
Massowah was by no means the unsafe place which Mr. Bruce re- 
presented it to be in his time; and that pilots could be procured 
for the whole way. As, however, the upper part of the voyage was 
to be performed through very narrow straits, and at a time when the 
N. W. winds were blowing strong down the gulf, I thought it would 
add greatly to our safety, to hire a country vessel, called a Dow, to 
go a head, and show the way. This would also enable me to visit 
many islands which the Antelope might not be able to approach. 
A dow was therefore hired for four hundred dollars, to go to 
Dhalac, Massowah, Suakin, and up to the latitude of the river 
Farat, where we meant to end our observations, and make the best 
of our way to Cosseir. I hired also an Arab boy of the name of 
Hyder, as an interpreter till the Antelope returned. He spoke 
