204 
BOMBAY. 
we had reason to expect above Massowah. Mr. Macgie was, at 
my particular request, nominated as Surgeon, although not in the 
East India Company's service, in consequence of the experience I 
had had in my former voyage of his abilities^ and his great atten- 
tion to the health of the men. 
Two time-keepers, and the instruments requisite for nautical 
observations and land surveying, were provided by the Bombay 
Government; and Mr. Duncan completed his kind attentions to my 
comfort, by directing Captain Court to keep a table for me at the 
expense of the East India Company. 
Captain Rudland of the Bombay army having expressed a wish 
to join our party, instead of returning to England by sea, I rejoiced 
in obtaining for him the necessary permission from the Governor, 
and the Commander in Chief, as an additional European gentleman 
would be a great satisfaction in crossing the desert from Suez to 
Cairo. Nothing could be more favourable than the season, as the 
monsoon was N. E. to the straits of Bab-el-mandeb, and S. E. from 
the Red Sea to Suez ; we were therefore impatient to depart, and 
the 1st of December was fixed for that purpose. It was however not 
till the 3d, that Captain Court received his final orders, which were 
in every respect to obey the instructions that he should receive 
from me. I parted with Mr. Duncan, whose amiable and bene- 
volent character must conciliate the esteem of all who know him, 
with great, and I flatter myself, with mutual, regret. He paid a last 
attention to me by sending his Aid-de-camp and the Town Major 
to attend me to the sea-shore, and saluting me on my departure. 
I found the Panther by no means ready for sea, and therefore went 
on board the yacht, which was anchored close to us, to pay a visit 
