MASSOWAH. 451 
Nayib, he offered to accept of six hundred dollars, positively de- 
claring that we should not pass through his country for less ; that 
the camels, mules, asses, kc, were to be fetched from a distance; 
that his people were ravenous, and that he had a thousand mouths 
to fill. To this proposal Hamed Chamie and the Banian intreated 
us to accede, adding, that they themselves would rather pay the 
additional hundred dollars, than press the subject any farther. 
This, however, we declined, and again ordered them to repeat to 
the Nayib that we had but " one word ;" that we had offered as much, 
nay more than we were authorised to do by Lord Valentia, and per- 
ceiving that the matter was not likely to be adjusted, we would, for 
the present, take our leave, hoping that, by the morrow, he would be 
convinced, not only of the fairness, but even of the liberality of our 
offer. To this the Nayib replied, " These are not the words Lord 
Valentia would use, but your own.*' This insinuation brought on 
a warm remonstrance on my part, which happily produced an 
apology from the Nayib, and a declaration that he would accept 
our terms. " God be praised," cried Hamed Chamie, raising his 
voice, that every one present might hear, it is settled ; five hun- 
dred dollars is the sum agreed upon." 
After our public business was arranged, Captain Court mentioned, 
that, understanding rice was exceedingly scarce in the Nayib s 
dominions, he would on the morrow send him as much as he could 
spare out of what he had provided for his own people. This offer 
was received with much thankfulness by the Nayib and all his 
attendants, except the Banian, who would have prevented Hamed 
Chamie from mentioning it, doubtless from its not agreeing exactly 
with his immediate interest. The Nayib was displeased with the 
VOL. n. 5 m 
