RAS HOWIE. ^13 
might have easily gone on to Asseez. The ancients probably an- 
chored every night as we did. We anchored as soon as it was dark 
in ten fathom, mud. 
January 30. — As soon as Captain Court had taken his observa- 
tions we set sail. By ten Ras Howie was in sight. Here a very fine 
bay opened between it and the main. The Ras is a low spit of sand, 
partly above water ; beyond was a chain of islands. The wind was 
from the north of east, and without tacking we could not weather it 
Our pilots much wished us to anchor, and wait for a fair wind, as, 
they said, there was no anchoring ground after we left this, till we 
reached Suakin, which we could not do in one day, unless we sailed 
early in the morning. We, however, remonstrated, and asked if we 
could not go within the chain of sands and islands. They both said 
they could not venture to take the ship, as, in one part, there was 
not above two fathom and a half of water. We then persuaded them 
to let us tack, and weather the point- This was agreed to; and by 
twelve we tacked back, being sufficiently to windward. Here we 
crossed the Assaye. Mr. Maxfield hailed us to say, that his pilot 
assured him the passage was very safe, having fine anchorage the 
whole way, and three fathom and a half in the deepest part ; that 
on the outside of the island there was no anchorage, but deep water ; 
that it was impossible to reach Suakin by night ; and that even a 
whole day would hardly be sufficient. On this Captain Court re- 
plied, that in consideration of the anchorage he would try the pas- 
sage ; and directed Mr. Maxfield to go ahead, and sound. 
Mr. Maxfield had received signals for the purpose of communi- 
cating to us every occurrence, such as what water he found, any 
approaching, or any actual danger: we sailed accordingly for 
