MAS sow AH. 
241 
even had a present been necessary, ihe gunpowder in the morning 
was more than sufficient, as I knew they valued it at five hundred 
dolhirs. I desired him to mention this to the Nayib, and add, that 
as I did not understand the Arabic language, the business had 
better be settled through the medium of himself, and my Arab 
servant Abdallah, and that therefore I would decline visiting him 
in the evening. 
The answer was long, turning much on the attentions I had re- 
ceived from the Nayib, on his wishes to serve me, on his wanting 
money, as his brothers were importunate to get a portion of what 
they believed he received, and urging, as a conclusive argument, 
Captain Keys having given two hundred dollars. This put me into 
a worse humour. I told the Banian that Captain Keys had in this, 
as in other things, behaved extremely ill ; that it was an act his 
Government highly disapproved of, and which therefore I could 
never follow. He said the Nayib knew two hundred dollars would 
be no object, and that if I requested the Captain to give it, he would 
comply in a moment. 1 told him it was out of the question ; that 
I was determined not to give a dollar, nor would the Captain ; that 
some presents I had prepared, which I thought would be accept- 
able to the Nayib, but that I neither would deliver them, or visit 
him, till all idea of a present of money was abandoned. He took 
Abdallah with him, and brought back an answer in the evening, 
that the Nayib considered me as one of his best friends ; that he 
ever wished to oblige me ; that the horses should be ready for the 
shooting party ; but he hoped I would fill his belly. I laughed, and 
desired to know what would do this. The answer was, two hundred 
dollars. I asked if this was insisted on; he said, no, I was to 
