DHALAC. 43 
pilot soon came back by a different way. This old rascal had made 
so many active attempts to cheat them, though in most he had been 
frustrated byHyder, that Mr. Salt had not the least doubt that this was 
another plan to extort money, by re-obtaining the articles lost ; he 
was the more confirmed in this idea, from the pilot's extreme anxiety 
to have them intrusted to old Hassan, as being honest, instead of a 
younger man, who could have kept up with the party. The only 
serious circumstance was Mr. Salt's drawing book being among 
the articles ; he therefore threatened the severest vengeance if the 
book, kc. were not produced by morning. They returned to the 
vessel, and by day-light the next morning the old rogue brought 
every thing, pretending they were obtained with difficulty from a 
person to whom he had given two dollars, which he desired might 
be repaid him. This was positively refused, and he only got the 
four dollars that were originally paid for his boat. 
I had many observations to make respecting Mr. Bruce's account 
of these islands, but resolved to defer them till I could fully enter 
on the subject. In the morning the Dola came off in the boat: he 
breakfasted with us on coffee and sweetmeats, and seemed much 
pleased. I gave him a few pounds of coffee. In the course of the 
day, his son brought several baskets of shells, among which were 
some very excellent. I learnt nothing more respecting the place, as 
the boats were employed in bringing water. At night, however, Mr. 
Hall, the first Lieutenant, was permitted by Captain Keys to go to a 
reef, whence he procured some very fine sea eggs (Echini); one species 
had spines a foot long, and sharp as a needle; the other was of a 
larger kind, and when cleaned, very beautiful. The madrapore was 
not remarkable. Of coral or coraline I have not seen a specimen. 
VOL. II. G 
