Page 190 - Arabian Studies (II)

182 Arabian Studies 11

they were justified in entertaining. The sea breeze was
expected to set in strong at noon which with the rising tide
would cause a heavy swell and perhaps before she could be
got off break her to pieces. On the meantime a hedge was
carried out and every preparation made to haul her round
when there was sufficient water. As the tide rose and she
again began to thump, our hopes revived, the wind not having
increased much and at the proper time every effort was made
at the windlass and inch by inch she was dragged crushing the
coral like stubble into deeper water. Sail was set and we
retrograded towards Aden, determined not to run the risk of
a second attempt to enter the harbor of Zeyla. This place has
been but very imperfectly surveyed.
Whilst we lay on the reef we were surrounded by
thousands of fish, which emerged from their coral caves, of
every color and shape, some were of a brilliant blue with
yellow tails, others striped with purple and white, green, red,
brown; in short I could have spent hours watching their
sportive movements and admiring the beauty of their hues,
had not the situation of the vessel filled my mind with
anxious thoughts. Captain N. and I went a second time to the
dow. She had a quantity of hammer-headed and other sharks
onboard caught in very large nets. They were taking tunnies
with an unbaited hook but so covered at the handles with
white cloth as to make it look like a fish with the hook as its
tail.
30 Sunday. Fine. Continued our course towards Aden with the
high land of the coast of Arabia always in sight.
31 Fine. Chronometer injured by our thumping on the reefs at
Zeyla. In sight of land all day generally of a barn [sic] like
shape.
January/1839 Back Bay Aden.
1 Fine. Entered the bay at half past 10 at the same time as the
Maia Company Schooner-of-war which sailed about two feet
to our one. The Chokee was there displaying the British Jack
over the Arab flag also a dow from Bombay belonging to
Shah Markee of Burbura.
Soon after we anchored I went onboard the Coote, the
natives had not attempted to fire at the vessels since our
departure; the Maia had thrown some shells into the town
which they returned with two shots. The sultan of Aden
yesterday signed and sealed an apology to Captain Haines for
his conduct but did not send it.5 There are not more than
thirty or forty men in the town today, the tribe having
proceeded to a conference with another at some distance and
it is thought that they will unite for the defence of the place