448 
MASSOWAH. 
persons should be sent to him, in order to open an intercourse of 
friendship with Abyssinia. We are, in consequence, proceeding to 
theRas, having been selected by Lord Yalentia for that purpose : 
we therefore request permission to pass through your country, and 
such assistance as may be necessary for the prosecution of our 
journey. 
*' Nayib. — I have no objection to your passing through my coun- 
try^ but you must satisfy my Ascari. Give them five hundred dol- 
lars, and I will supply you with every thing requisite, for which we 
will settle afterwards. 
" Salt. — Why do you demand five hundred dollars for your 
Ascari ? You well know that the vessel in which we have arrived 
is not a trader, but a ship of war, that never pays one single ko- 
meassm* to the greatest Sultaun on earth. Even in this sea they go 
to Suez, to Jidda, and to Mocha, and nothing is ever demanded. 
It must be fully understood that not a komeassm will ever be paid 
on this account. 
" Nayib.~I know the ship is no trader, and when you were 
here before this was understood ; nothing more shall be said on 
this head. 
Salt. — W^hat, then, are these five hundred dollars for? We do 
not know your Ascari, and can have nothing to say to them : you 
are surely the Prince of this country, and it is with you only that we 
can treat. We are willing to give, for your assistance, even more 
than would be given in any other country, only let us know your 
demand. 
" Nayib. — What assistance do you require? 
# The smallest money of Yemen. 
