MASSOWAH. 449 
" Hamed Chamie then entered into an explanation of the number 
of mules, asses, camels, and attendants of which we should stand in 
need. Notice being now given that the hour of prayer was at hand, 
the Nayib and all his people went out, and prostrated themselves 
on a carpet in front of the house ; after which the priest recited 
passages from the Koran. The moral effects, however, of this re- 
ligious service were not very apparent : though the highest sum 
hitherto demanded had never exceeded eight hundred dollars, 
a message was now brought from the Nayib that he expected a 
thousand. 
" I answered, that the idea of a thousand dollars was ridiculous, 
and that we would give no such sum, demanding where the Nayib 
was, and whether he did not intend to return ! On this Hamed 
Chamie called out, not very delicately, I thought, " Nayib Edris, 
Nayib Edris !" on which the Nayib came in, and resumed his seat, 
when I thus addressed him. 
" You have now made a demand of a thousand dollars ; 
for what ? for permitting us to march only three or four day's 
journey through your country. If you were in our country, you 
would be received with honour, without having any thing to 
pay for such permission ; even in Arabia no such tribute is ever 
imposed. 
" Nayib. — Three or four day's journey ! why it is twelve. More- 
over, I intend sending my people to insure your safety to the pre- 
sence of the Ras. 
" Salt. — This we do not want ; when we arrive at Dixan we 
shall be met by the Ras's people ; besides, what guard is necessary? 
We shall be safe even should we walk thither, as you well know 
