348 
MOCHA. 
set to work to make them holy, for'which to accomplish their ignor- 
ance has led them to an extraordinary idea. They enlarge the touch- 
hole, till nearly the whole of the gunpowder explodes by it, which 
is also the way by which it very frequently enters. As, however, 
they have never had occasion to use these guns hostilely, they are 
not aware of the mischief they have done. The walls on the land 
side are a sufficient defence against the Wahabee, who always storm 
a town by means of their cavalry, and the numerous round towers 
have a very imposing effect on people who are totally ignorant of 
the use of artillery. Although under constant alarm from the 
Wahabee, they have neglected to repair the fortifications, and seem 
to consider the many small doors, nearly on the level of the ground, 
as affording no facility of entrance to an enemy. Near the sea 
gate a part of the wall has actually fallen down, and has been re- 
paired with a few boards and matting. The town runs, for about 
half a mile, in nearly a straight line facing the sea, but afterwards the 
walls take a circular direction inland. The space thus included is 
in part not built upon, and, I should suppose, does not contain a 
population of above five thousand souls. 
The garrison, in general, consists of about eighty horse, and two 
hundred matchlock-men, who receive a regular pay of two dollars 
and a half per month, for which they provide their own arms, and 
powder and ball for exercise ; but when they quit Mocha, they are 
supplied with every thing, and have four dollars in advance. There 
is not a vestige of discipline among them, but they are by no means 
bad marks-men, though they are a long time in taking aim. When on 
guard at the different gates, they recline on couches, with their match- 
locks lying neglected by their sides ; while the right hand is occu- 
