590 
SUAKIN. 
Sea islanders, as drawn in Captain Cook's voyages. Their teeth, 
which are beautifully white and regular, they constantly clean 
with a piece of the rack-wood. They wear nothing on the head, 
which is sufficiently protected from the sun by the mass of wool 
and grease that covers it. 
We get fifteen barrels of water a day, so that we shall be 
six days in completing our stock: it is good, and tolerably clear. 
They have both wells and tanks. Fish we buy in abundance and 
cheap ; the mullets are particularly fine : our people are busy, or we 
might easily catch enough ourselves. Mr. Maxfield 's pilot made 
his escape on shore. We had detained him lest he should breed any 
more mischief. I recollected that I had two letters given me by 
Devage when I was coming hither in the Antelope. I looked them 
out, and sent them to the people, who immediately came off, and 
proved to be very respectable men ; merchants of course. I learned 
from them that nothing was brought from the interior of Africa to 
this place, except slaves, horses, gold, and ivory : in which articles, 
however, a very considerable trade is carried on. 
February 14. — -Abdallah, who had been sent on shore for pro- 
visions, returned with the water-boat, which arrives regularly about 
eight. He brought me word, that there had been vehement dis- 
putes on shore ; that Emir Mohammed told him, he had learned 
we gave five hundred dollars to the Nayib of Massowah, and that 
the Bedowee Emirs wanted to come off, with presents, and ask. for 
the same sum. That both Unus and he had inquired whether this 
was in his letter, and defied him to produce it. He said, no, it was 
not, but he had been told so; no doubt by Mr. Maxfield s rascally 
pilot. They declared it was an absolute falshood ; that the English 
