massowaH. 
would oiily send an i vory box of castor, an article here of great valued 
as a mark of friendship. I gave one, also, to each person of the party. 
The land breeze and our boats soon cleared us of the harbour, and 
delivered us from our visitors. The young Hammed (the Nayib s 
son) seemed to part with regret. Captain Rudland gave him a pair 
of pistols. His brother got some powder by a private hand. 
On maturely considering all that had passed, I was inclined to 
consider these circumstances as increasing, instead of lessening, the 
security of Massowah for British ships. They are convinced we 
will not b€ imposed on, and yet are willing to pay well for every 
thing. The Banian assured me the Dola is now of the Nayib's 
opinion, that it is better to secure a moderate profit, than to lose all 
by preventing ships from coming there. It is possible that the 
Nayib had in reality no objection to his brother's trying the ex- 
periment of bullying us out of the one thousand dollars, while he 
should still profess to be our friend, and become a mediator in 
case of hostility. I learned that the threat of going to Arkeko 
terrified them beyond measure ; so that whatever they meant, 
the result has been equally good. I warned them that a King's 
ship came every year to Mocha, and that, if an unprotected vessel 
should be injured, she would make them repent it. The Ascaris 
of Arkeko were gaining nothing by us, and therefore cared nothing 
for us ; but there was hardly a family at Massowah who did not 
derive advantage from our stay, either by collecting shells, bringing 
fish, &:e. for the ship, by labour, or by the presents of the gentle- 
men. They therefore took our part ; and I am convinced that they 
would never willingly permit an Englishman to be injured. 
The two little Abyssinians whom Captain Keys had purchased! 
