ARKEKO. 
465 
We were, as usual, pestered in the evening with a number of 
messages concerning provisions for the Ascari and camel drivers. 
I told them we had very little for ourselves, and that I should there- 
fore not take upon myself the care of providing for them. As we 
were retiring to rest, the same disturbance again occurred about 
the door of our house being closed and bolted; but the night 
being intensely hot (and our party much increased by the ar- 
rival of Captain Court with his boat's crew, making altogether 
twenty-six in number, and crowded into a space of not more than 
forty feet square) we determined to protest against it, and at length 
prevailed on the Nayib to give up the point ; but, as what had 
passed in our conference with him was not particularly pleasant, 
we thought it prudent to be on the alert during the remainder of 
the night. 
" July 50.— The circumstances already mentioned caused us 
to pass a most unpleasant night : we could neither sleep nor rest, 
so closely were we pent up, and so oppressive was the state of 
the air. 
" Early at day-break some of the camels arrived, and the 
Nayib came for the purpose of finally settling every thing. On a 
repetition of a demand for provisions for the people who were to 
accompany us, we gave him the same answer as before ; but added, 
that wishing to make it easy to the camel drivers, we would give 
each of them a small sum of money, to furnish them with provi- 
sions as far as Dixan. 
At eight o'clock all the camels were loaded, and proceeded on 
their way, guarded by Pearce, and Mr. Carter, who volunteered 
upon the occasion. For myself, I thought it not prudent to brave 
