Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, Volume 3 (of 5): In the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772 and 1773Bruce, James
History
Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, Volume 3 (of 5): In the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772 and 1773
Bruce, James
Egypt -- Description and travel; Ethiopia -- Description and travel; Ethiopia -- History; Natural history -- Ethiopia; Nile River
There are no sparrows to be seen here, or on the opposite shore, nor
in the islands. Although there were scorpions in abundance at Loheia,
we found none of them at Masuah. Water and greens, especially of the
melon and cucumber kind, seem to be necessary to this poisonous insect.
Indeed it was only after rains we saw them in Loheia, and then the
young ones appeared in swarms; this was in the end of August. They
are of a dull green colour, bordering upon yellow. As far as I could
observe, no person apprehended any thing from their sting beyond a few
minutes pain.
We left Masuah the 10th of November, with the soldiers and boats
belonging to Achmet. We had likewise three servants from Abyssinia, and
no longer apprehended the Naybe, who seemed, on his part, to think no
more of us.
In the bay between Masuah and Arkeeko are two islands, Toulahout and
Shekh Seide; the first on the west, the other on the south. They are
both uninhabited, and without water. Shekh Seide has a marabout, or
saint’s tomb, on the west end. It is not half a mile in length, when
not overflowed, but has two large points of sand which run far out to
the east and to the west. Its west point runs so near to Toulahout, as,
at low-water, scarce to leave a channel for the breadth of a boat to
pass between.
There is a chart, or map of the island of Masuah, handed about with
other bad maps and charts of the Red Sea, (of which I have already
spoken) among our English captains from India. It seems to be of as
old date as the first landing of the Portuguese under Don Roderigo de
Lima, in the time of David III. but it is very inaccurate, or rather
erroneous, throughout. The map of the island, harbour, and bay, with
the soundings, which I here have given, may be depended upon, as being
done on the spot with the greatest attention.
Achmet, though much better, was, however, not well. His fever had left
him, but he had some symptoms of its being followed by a dysentery. In
the two days I rested at his house, I had endeavoured to remove these
complaints, and had succeeded in part; for which he testified the
utmost gratitude, as he was wonderfully afraid to die.
The Naybe had visited him several times every day; but as I was
desirous to see Achmet well before I left Arkeeko, I kept out of the
way on these occasions, being resolved, the first interview, to press
for an immediate departure.
On the 13th, at four o’clock in the afternoon, I waited upon the Naybe
at his own house. He received me with more civility than usual, or
rather, I should have said, with less brutality; for a grain of any
thing like civility had never yet appeared in his behaviour. He had
just received news, that a servant of his, sent to collect money at
Hamazen, had run off with it. As I saw he was busy, I took my leave of
him, only asking his commands for Habesh; to which he answered, “We
have time enough to think of that, do you come here to morrow.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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