62 
MASSOWAH. 
him to make the proper arrangements with the pilots. I begged 
them again to express to their master how very grateful I felt for 
his numerous attentions to me, which I should take care to repre- 
sent to all my countrymen, who might visit the Red Sea. A second 
round of Asiatic compliments passed on the occasion. 
I sent to require a boat to carry my servant to a reef opposite the 
town to search for shells, which was complied with. He had not 
much success. The natives, in the course of the day, brought me 
some new species. There was a great variety of dead shells thrown 
on shore of a species, of which, I have not been able to procure liv- 
ing specimens : they probably come from some of the opposite 
islands. Money will hardly induce the natives to exert themselves. 
I found our landlord's name was Abou Yusuff, or Father Joseph, and 
he well became the title, for he had all the appearance of a jolly, 
good natured Benedictine monk. 
On the 8th I wrote officially to Captain Keys, informing him of 
my intention to go to Suakin, but that if the winds should prove 
too strong, I might probably go only so far as Ageeg, and then pro- 
ceed for Jidda. He afterwards saw the Nayib. The pilots and Na- 
queda of the dow were there. The Captain required the Naqueda to 
hire both the pilots, which he refused. He then demanded that he 
should give back the four hundred dollars. The Naqueda offered one 
hundred, or said he would hire one pilot. The Captain said that 
one must then go in his ship, and the dow go ahead without one. 
This the man positively refused, and said he would not go to Suakin. 
The Nayib told him, if he did not do what the Captain desired, he 
would put him in prison ; and so the conference ended. I had this 
from the Banian, who was present, and was sent by the Nayib to 
