^44 
MASSOWAH. 
The eldest son of the Nayib, after he returned from the chase^ 
wished to go on board the ship ; I therefore went with him. Captain 
Court showed him the whole, and gave him a few pounds of powder 
and some balls. I also presented him with a rich piece of kincaub, 
sufficient for a dress. He was highly pleased, and sent us some fowls 
in the evening. He was about eighteen years old. His manners were 
gentle, his figure tall and well proportioned, and his countenance 
expressive of good nature. His younger brother was to go on board 
at some other time. He had asked for some powder and ball, say- 
ing, that, when last here, I had given him nothing. I told him he 
should have a shawl, as well as the powder and ball ; we were con- 
sequently excellent friends. He begged me not to say any thing 
about it to his brother. I employed myself in cleaning and packing 
sea shells, which I procured from the children of the town, who 
collected them in every direction. My European servants and the 
people belonging to the dow were active in the same pursuit, but, 
except Cypraea, few of any value are to be had in the harbour. 
Our sportsmen had great success, and brought home a variety of 
fine game. 
. We enjoyed some pheasants and a chevreuil, for dinner, with 
some French claret purchased from the Americans. Our Dhalac 
friend, the Nayib's servant, drank several glasses of Madeira, and 
was perfectly intoxicated. Abou YusufF would not taste it : he said 
the other was a soldier, and that all soldiers were allowed wine, but 
that he was a Sheik, and could not. We laughed most immoderately 
at his claim to this title, which he had never before mentioned ; and 
declared he was Sheik Sheitan or Sheik Alfrit ; a joke which, though 
coming from Christians, he bore with the greatest good humour. 
