'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎482] (513/582)

482
INTERVIEW WITH THE PIRATE CHIEF.
rather as property and articles of merchandize, than in the light of
infidels or enemies. It at first appeared to us that this line would
oppose our progress, since they were evidently placed there to cut
off any approach to the town ; but, on beckoning to those immedi
ately opposite to our place of landing, a party of them came near.
To these I communicated, in Arabic, our wish of being conducted
to the presence of Hassan ben Rahma, the Chief himself, as We
had some communications to make to him personally. This was
instantly complied with, and we proceeded under their escort, my
self perfectly unarmed, and Captain Bridges wearing only a sword.
As we were led through narrow passages, between lines of grass
huts and small buildings, great pains were taken to prevent our
seeing any thing to the right or the left, or making any observation
on the plan of the town; while men, women, and children, who
had all collected to see us pass, were driven before us by the
spearmen, and made to fly in every direction.
When we reached the gate of the principal building, which was
nearly in the centre of the town, we were met by the Pirate Chief,
attended by a retinue of about fifty armed men. I offered
him the Mohammedan salutation of peace, which he returned to
me without hesitation, believing me to be, as represented, a mer
chant of Egypt, on my way to India, who had given my services to
the English captain, as an interpreter, because I understood his
tongue as well as my own, and wished that no blood might be
spilt through ignorance or misconception of each other's meaning.
After a few complimentary expressions on either side, he bade us
be seated. As we were in the public street, there were neither
carpets, mats, nor cushions, but we all sat on the ground. I then
observed to him, at the request of Captain Bridges, that as the
messengers by whom the letter was sent to him in the morning,
had not found access to his presence, we had come to ascertain
from his own mouth, whether the letter had reached his hands,
whether he perfectly understood its contents, and whether an an
swer would be given to it within the time specified, or at noon of