MASSOWAH. 
53 
the other on the ground. He made his salaams in return to mine, 
by placing his hand on his breast, and pointed to a seat placed close 
to his, at right angles. Perceiving Mr. Salt was not with me, he 
sent for him, and he soon arrived, accompanied by my landlord. 
We had a long conversation, in which I represented that my 
motive for coming was to ascertain, whether our ships could with 
safety pass up this coast to Suez, and obtain water and provisions 
on the way. I pointed out the great advantage that would con- 
sequently ensue to his people, and expressed my satisfaction at 
having hitherto met with so much civility from his subjects, and 
in having succeeded in ascertaining what I wished. He replied that 
the island was mine, and that I might do what I pleased. That if 
our ships came, they should have every thing he could supply 
them with. That here they were very civil, good people ; but, that, 
on the main, though they belonged to him, he could not equally 
answer for them. He offered sherbet in a silver cup, which the 
person who brought it tasted in my presence. 
I now produced my present, prefacing it by saying, that I was 
not a merchant, but a man of rank in my own country, travelling 
for amusement, and returning thither after a long absence; that I 
therefore had no merchandise, nor any thing worthy his accept- 
ance ; nevertheless, I wished him to accept apart, of what 1 had, 
as a mark of my respect and gratitude, for his attentions since my 
arrival. He received my present, but said. What is this for ? Have 
you not every thing? what do you ask from me? I replied, that 
through his kindness, I had every thing I wished for, and I hoped he 
would continue it to me and mine. I mentioned the pilots ; he said 
they had been sent for. I asked permission for my people to look for 
