398 
MOCHA 
Mr. Pringle, nevertheless, made a bargain with an American 
captain, to carry him there in his way home, and followed Benzoni, 
who had in the mean time prepared the ship for sea, which proved 
to be the Alert, from Bengal, loaded wdth rice and piece-goods. 
Tile Nakib had immediately given Captain Benzoni possession 
of the ship, and had assured him that he would account for the 
rice, which he had landed and consumed. Mr. Pringle, however, 
on his arrival, was seized with a groundless panic, and ran away 
in the night, without concluding any arrangement with the Nakib. 
He next proceeded to Aden, with the Arab colours hoisted below 
the EngUsh, to the great mortification of the Sultaun, whom he 
abused and threatened. The Alert had very little water, her casks 
were therefore landed for a supply ; but in the night Mr. Pringle 
again moved off, leaving them behind. On reaching Mocha, he 
remonstrated with the Dola for his former ill conduct, and threat- 
ened to fire on the town. Fortunately he did not carry his folly 
so far, and he was brought to his senses by discovering, that he 
had neither water nor provisions on board. He was obliged to hoist 
signals of distress, w^hen the Dola permitted him to receive supplies, 
and at length to return to the Factory. 
Immediately on my arrival, the Dola, and the Banian of the 
Sultaun of Aden, waited on me, to complain of the conduct of Mr. 
Pringle, and 1 felt it my duty to assure them, that nothing could 
be more contrary to the orders of the India Government, than the 
whole of his proceedings. He was indeed perfectly convinced of 
this himself, and, as his many amiable qualities had now recovered 
their former influence, a reconciliation was established without 
difficulty : poor Devage was deeply incensed ; nor could I do mor^ 
