MASSOWAH. ^ 435 
and proper, but that his Ascari were very angry with us ; and 
he begged I would not then land ; but that when the ship returned, 
every thing should be settled to our satisfaction. A fellow struck 
two of the boys who rowed the boat ashore with Hamed Ghamie. 
The Nayib sent for them, and begged they would not tell me, in 
consequence of which, 1 did not hear of it till some days after- 
wards, when I was assured the man was in prison ; I could 
therefore take no notice of it. Our old friend the Dola of Dhalac 
paid us a visit on board. We made him several presents. He was 
ever steady to us ; nor could the Nayib dissuade him from sup- 
plying the Panther with every thing she wanted during her last 
voyage. When on board during the gale of wind off Daguera, he 
owned to Captain Court, that he had received instructions not to 
do so. The Nayib thought he could drive away the Panther by 
depriving her of water and fresh provisions. This is the only act 
of the Nayib that proved any disinclination in himself towards us, 
for at Dhalac he is absolute master. Some excuse may be made 
for him, vexed and tormented as he always was by his brothers 
and Ascari, whenever the vessel appeared. The Baharnegash used 
all his influence to induce me, not to quarrel with the Nayib. He 
went on his knees to me, and embraced my feet, nor would he rise 
till I had promised I would not fire on the town. I told him I felt 
it was a gross insult to refuse me permission to land ; that the 
conduct of the Ascari was so reprehensible to Mr. Salt, whom they 
had attempted to rob, that they ought at least to be punished, and 
the more so, as we had ever acted towards the whole tribe in the most 
friendly manner. He said it was very true ; that the Nayib himself 
was a very good man, but the people about him were great rascals, 
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