ARKEKO. 
465 
kind enough to send with us, for the protection of our baggage and 
persons, which, from all that we knew of the character of the inha- 
bitants of Arkeko, appeared to be by no means a superfluous pre- 
caution. 
The sea breeze sprung up and carried us over very pleasantly 
to the landing-place at Arkeko ; on our way we passed over a shoal 
not known before, Ras Gidam and Valentia being both in one, and 
Sheik Seid and Massowah open. There is plenty of water for ships 
of any size till within a quarter of a mile of the shore. 
" It was eleven o'clock when we landed, and the intense heat of 
the sun reflected by the burning sand made our walk up to the 
house prepared for us, which was half a mile distant, the most op- 
pressive that I ever experienced ; we were all much exhausted by it 
on our arrival, but were soon refreshed by the attention of the 
Nayib, who was waiting to receive us. Our people were engaged till 
two o'clock, in getting up the baggage, which was effected without 
any loss or accident. 
" As soon as the boat was ready to return, I sent Hamed Chamie to 
the Nayib, wishing to know when we were to leave Arkeko, as I was 
desirous of conveying the intelligence to Captain Court; he replied, 
that nothing could be done on the morrow, it being their Sabbath ; 
that it would take up the whole of the next day to arrange the bag- 
gage, and that on the following morning we should commence our 
journey. By remonstrating with him, however, on this unnecessary 
delay, I prevailed so far that the day alter the Sabbath was fixed 
on for our departure. We procured for our day's supply a quantity 
of water and a sheep : the water was well tasted, but of a whitish 
colour, and deposited much sediment. In the evening we received 
