MASSOWAH. 57 
who pays them out of the duties which ought to be remitted to 
Constantinople. They still recognise the Sultaun as their master, 
but it is a mere form. The Nayib pays nothing to the King of 
Abyssinia, but they are, I understand, on very good terms. 
The Banians here are very comfortable : they say they have 
ever been the same, and some of them were those mentioned by 
Mr. Bruce. They are allowed wives, if they please, which is not 
the case at Mocha; and they seem less oppressed. They amount to 
eighteen in number, and carry on a considerable trade. The Nayib 
receives ten per cent, ad valorem on all goods exported and im- 
ported, and one dollar for each individual who enters the country 
to trade. The pearl fishery is renewed to a certain degree by the 
people of Dhalac, but although the best banks belong to the Nayib 
he receives no share of the profit. 
June 2. — We were still delayed here, though the dow was ready 
for sea. The pilot arrived from Dhalac, but went back immediately 
to procure two more, who he said were absolutely necessary for so 
large a vessel. If the passage above should prove as clear as that 
below, this delay will never be necessary hereafter : I had indeed 
to regret that we did not do more; but Captain Keys threw every 
difficulty in our way, prevented Mr. Maxfield from making many 
observations that he wished, and, as we were all convinced, endea- 
voured even to mislead us by false longitude. Latterly he concealed 
it entirely, and then he declared his time keeper was out of order, 
and that he should take Mr. Bruce s longitude, and begin a new rate. 
We determined not to follow him, but, (as we should anchor every 
night,) to endeavour to carry on a chain of bearings the whole way 
to Suakin. Mr. Maxfield had finished a chart of the harbour, and 
