^06 MOCHA. 
this day saw the Arab shore. It was the high land of Kisseen, dis- 
tant about eighteen miles. As there was now no danger of the 
Assaye's not making her passage, I determined to make the best of 
our way to Mocha : accordingly Mr. Maxfield was sent for, and di- 
rected to stop at Aden, and enquire if Mr. Pringle was there, a cir- 
cumstance by no means impossible ; and if he was, to bring him up 
with him. We made sail in the evening. 
December 19. — We coasted along with pleasant land and sea 
breezes ; passed Aden early in the morning of the 1 8th ; through 
the Straits of Bab-el-mandeb, with a stiff gale from theS. E. during 
the same night ; and at seven anchored considerably to the north- 
ward of the north fort of Mocha. It blew so heavy a gale that we 
were not able to make the roads. The Panther was extremely crank, 
and totally unable to make any way when close to the wind. This 
defect was in some measure compensated for by our discovering that, 
though the swell was very great, she rode well at anchor, easier in- 
deed than any vessel l ever was in. Besides, she was very comfort- 
able, drew little water, and went well before a wind. She had how- 
ever a very considerable heel to starboard, that was much against 
us, and for which we could not account. It will hardly be believed, 
that in a vessel reported ready for sea, there was not a single buoy ; 
yet such was the fact, and we were daily in the habit of discovering 
similar deficiencies. Two fishermen, who, in consequence of their sup- 
plying the British squadron in the Red Sea, had been named Admiral 
Blanket, and Lord Bombay, came off in one of the native boats, by 
whom I sent a short note to Mr. Pringle, and received an answer, 
saying he would be with me as soon as the weather would permit. 
We were a little alarmed on getting into sight of the roads to 
