Page 195 - Arabian Studies (II)

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The First Days of British Aden 187

of only one man in landing, but afterwards a scuffle ensued
between some prisoners, whom they were disarming and the
artillerymen and 13 British were killed and wounded. The
Arabs lost 114. I 4 The Banyans and Jews took refuge in a
mosque with a flag of truce flying and were unmolested.
As I was on the point of leaving the Volage, Captain
Smith15 came on board and questioned me as to the object
of my visit etc, a haughty, pompous character with an
affected stutter.
Returned to the Kite in the Mahy's boat.
31 Fine. Left the vessel at 7 and rowed up the bay to the beach
opposite the pass. Here a Sergeant’s party was stationed and
their tents pitched. Walked up through the narrow pass
between the steep mountains, which is defended by a strong
wall and rampart, the access through which is by a ponderous
iron-studded gate. On passing through was hailed by Evans16
who was officer on guard and partook of a second slight
breakafast with him in the miserable guard-room.
At the extremity of the pass the town came into view
situated on a barren plain of some extent and surrounded on
three sides by naked and lofty hills.
The first part of the plain I traversed was strewn with
tombs. The houses I passed were constructed of bamboos
and lined with mats but presented rather a neat appearance.
A number of dobees or washermen were performing their
tasks in a ravine close to a well.
Proceeded to Captain Haines’, where I dined, and started
to return onboard to write by the steamer. Unfortunately it
was nearly dark when I got up to the pass and, stopping at
the guard-room to chat a little with Evans, when I got to the
beach, no boat was there and I was obliged to return to the
town and sleep in Captain Haines’ tent at the top of the
house.
February
1 Mr D. 1 7 having sent to hire a camel for me I mounted at
seven to take my letters to England (which I wrote last night)
to the steamer. This being the first time I ever bestrode one
of these animals I was glad to receive a lesson in this novel
mode of riding. The camel was a small one of its kind and
accoutred with a kind of pack-saddle, the back of which
rested on the single hump and with a piece of coir rope for a
halter. With him was a young Bedouin armed with a stick to
urge him forwards. That I might mount him, it was necessary
that he should kneel which he was brought to do by the
young driver placing himself before him and pulling the
halter downwards. Whilst camels are loading or when they are

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