MOCHA. 
431 
at his doors said, he expected only me and Mr. Pringle; but we all 
got up at last. He was, I believe, disappointed in not being able to 
talk on business. He enquired respecting the distance of England, 
how far I went by land, and how we travelled in Europe. The con- 
versation then turned on Yemen. He informed me, that beyond 
Sana iron ore was found in sufficient abundance to supply all the 
upper country. It is smelted with wood, and is very soft, white, 
and tenacious. It is used for the rings of hookah snakes ; and has 
the quality of not being corroded by smoke. There is also lead 
ore, but it is brittle, and of no use. He wished to present me with a 
piece of silver cloth manufactured at Sana, which I accepted. 
He was chewing the buds of a plant which the Arabs call Kaad. 
It is not unpleasant, rather bitter, and aromatic. He informed me 
that it is brought in weekly, from the hills, to the amount of two hun- 
dred dollars. The Imaum has a large duty on it. On parting, he 
expressed the usual anxiety for my welfare. 
November 3. — We had been delayed, that Mr. Pringle might ac- 
company us to Ait, the place where Unus's tribe live, and where 
we expected Mr. Salt's letters. Mr. Pringle was to go thence to 
Loheia, and join us again at Massowah. Mr. Pringle being ready, 
1 went on board on the 3d. It blew fresh, though we waited till 
dark, as it usually lulled in the evening. We were attended to the 
pier by an innumerable crowd of beggars. Captain Court and I gave 
a scramble of komassis, and to our friends a few half and quarter 
dollars. Seid Daud, the Sheriffe's captain, came to wish us a good 
voyage, but could not reach us for the crowd. At midnight the 
breeze freshened to a gale, but Unus and Mr. Pringle came astern in 
their dpws. 
