VALENTIA. 73 
the vessel, but I did not enquire into the cause. I sent a sworj 
by him to the Nayib, as a last proof of my regard, with many wishes 
for his health and prosperity. He and Abou YasufF at length 
departed, I believe, well satisfied with the presents made them. We 
had already stretched out a considerable distance from Massowah. 
The breeze was pleasant, and after rounding the point of the shoal, 
we anchored in Antelope bay, within a quarter of a mile ofValentia 
Island, by four o'clock. The Captain wished Mr. Maxfield to 
survey it, and I consented to stay two days for that purpose. Mr* 
Salt and he went out in the evening to measure a base. It was so 
sultry that I slept on the deck. 
June 20. — Mr. Maxfield was too ill to go out ; Mr. Salt went to 
take some bearings, and I obtained a boat and some sailors to attend 
my servant in collecting shells. The heat was very great, and 
my situation extremely unpleasant, as I did not converse much 
with the Captain. As Mr. Maxfield was too unwell to continue the 
survey of the island, I determined to depart the next day. A great 
quantity of biscuit was this day condemned and thrown overboard. 
I heard that the salt provisions were in an equally bad state, and 
that there was only a small quantity of spirits on board, it was 
therefore fortunate that we did not continue our voyage ; yet the 
Antelope was reported to me as being ready for sea. 
June 21.^ — We weighed anchor at five with a pleasant breeze 
from the W. N. W. The dow went a-head ; after clearing Antelope 
bay she kept farther out from the land. The man at the masthead, 
about half after nine, called out that there was shoal water a^head: 
no notice was taken by the officer of the watch, and we passed over 
the identical shoal, which we had in going up observed and 
