MASSOWAH 
55 
I viewed from my window the island of Valentia, distant about five 
leagues, Ras Gidden, and the chain of mountains that lines the 
coast of the Red Sea from this place to the plains of Egypt. Behind 
these the summit of Taranta peeps out, and gives credit, by its 
height, to Mr. Bruce's account of the difficuky he had in ascending 
it. The island of Sheik Said is pleasingly covered with trees, and 
seems to be nearly in the middle of this unruffled bason. 
May 29, — A restless night determined me to leave off" wine, 
and try if that would cool me. In other respects I was better ; and, 
thank God ! my spirits never left me for a moment. My visi- 
tors were numerous, and my host was extremely intelligent. I 
gathered from him the following information. Dhalac is consi- 
dered as a profitable government for the person who holds it. The 
Nayib receives from him only sixty dollars in money, and also 
obtains some camels, goats, and asses. If any thing should throw a 
large sum into the hands of the Dola, the Nayib would send to him 
and claim it; but if, as in our case, it amounted to no more than 
thirty or forty dollars, he would let him keep all. The Nayib lives 
generally at Arkeko, where he has a very good house, and one 
wife, although the place is not so pleasant as Massowah ; but in 
this he finds his interest, because the greater part of his domi- 
nions lie there, and his people have an easy access to him. He 
comes here occasionally, where he has another wife. The trade is 
considerable. 
On the hills of Jibbel Gidden, and those behind Arkeko, are 
elephants, the teeth of which are exported : from Habesh they 
send gee, hides, gold dust, civet, sheep, and slaves. Of the latter 
the number is lately much lessened : a very satisfactory circum- 
