4^6 
MOCHA. 
not only put the offender in prison, but flog him severely. The 
American captains were refused all access to the Dola respecting 
their deserters, and were absolutely thrust down the stairs by his 
attendants. I learned from Hodeida, that the American ship was 
still there, that she had been in danger from the piratical dows, and 
that the Dola sent troops on board to protect her. 
October S. — I had notice from a renegado that one of the boys 
ashore, to assist in packing shells, meant to run away. We sent him 
on board with some boxes, where we designed that he should be 
kept. He had no idea that we were acquainted with his intentions. 
During my tedious confinement, I had amused myself in employing 
a great number of Arabs in collecting shells for me on the beach. 
I paid them generally a few komassis for their trouble, and a day 
rarely passed without their bringing me a new species. Mr. Macgie 
and I had packed them with infinite labour, and I now began to 
send them on board. 
The custom-house officers wished to unpack all the boxes, to 
which I jDositively objected: they could hardly be persuaded 
that six large boxes were filled with articles they thought of no 
value. They at length took a few shells out of some of the boxes 
to show the Dola. 
We had a slight shock of an earthquake on the ^d, in the morn- 
ing ; it lasted about a minute, with a tremulous motion. 
Mr. Macgie heard to day from Captain Barton ; he had been 
driven back to Hodeida when beyond Jibbel Teir, by strong north- 
westers. The American ship was still there, but had only pro- 
cured fifty bales of three hundred and seventy pounds in the last 
two months, and for those she paid sixty- four German crowns. She, 
