70 
MASSOWAH 
breeze made us suffer more than if it had been 100°. The Nayib 
left Massowah on the 16th, and the next day sent to say he would 
come back, which I requested he would not. The man who was ill 
of the small-pox died yesterday. No wonder the disease is so fatal, 
as the natives confine the patients, as soon as they are seized, to a 
warm room. After the Nayib's departure I had no water nor any 
thing else sent me, and was consequently obliged to buy, which we 
considered as a hint that they wished us gone ; the seamen were 
allowed water only from Arkeko, of which they complained bit- 
terly, as having a mixture of the sea water, no more of the water 
of the place being allowed to be sold, except to me. I this day 
notified to the Captain my intention of going on board to-morrow 
morning. His reply was, that the boat should be sent for the things, 
and that five to-morrow would be the best time to sail. 
The day was a busy one, and I was pestered with visitors. Mr. 
Macgie and the sailors went on board at six, and Abou Yusuff 
watched me very closely lest I also should make my escape. The 
Banian brought me a piece of Habesh cloth, and Mr. Salt a pair of 
horns. We were told the Nayib had been at the wars against the 
Bedowees, and had driven them away, having taken one prisoner, 
and retaken the cattle they had driven off. He threatened to return 
before I went. I learned Captain Keys had bought a boy slave, in 
defiance of the Nayib ; a gross violation of his orders, which may 
have an unpleasant effect on those who come after us. I was very 
much vexed at discovering that I had lost my thermometer, a 
thing which could be of no value to any native. My servant was 
quite as much so on missing a shawl and several shirts of his own. 
I have found living here by no means cheap, though the necessaries 
