a tower on one side to defend the port, which is to the south, and has two fathoms water.  To the north there is a large port with good anchorage, being safe in all winds.  Though there is plenty of good water here, the soil is dry and produces nothing.  The water is all from rain, and is preserved in cisterns and pits 100 fathoms deep; and is so hot when first drawn up that it cannot be used till it stands to cool.  This city is provided with provisions, wood, and every other necessary from other places, and has abundance of Jews[223].

[Footnote 222:  Perhaps redoubts or detached towers are here meant; or the word here translated ravelins may signify shoals, reefs, or sand-banks, encompassing the harbour.—­E.]

[Footnote 223:  This circumstance is not in the least improbable; yet it is possible that the author of this journal may have mistaken Banians for Jews, as we know that all the trade in the ports of Arabia and the Red Sea is now conducted by Banian factors—­E.]

Immediately on the arrival of the fleet, the Pacha was waited upon by four principal persons of the city, who brought refreshments.  He received them courteously, and talked with them a while in private; after which he gave each of them two vests of figured velvet, and sent them back with letters of safe conduct for the sheikh, signifying that he might come freely on board and fear nothing.  The sheikh sent back word that he would not come in person, but would readily supply whatever was wanted.  On the 5th of August, the Pacha ordered the janizaries to land with their arms, and all the gallies to man and arm their boats.  He then sent his Kiahya to summon the sheikh to come before him, and do homage to the sultan.  The sheikh answered, “I swear by your head that I am the humble slave of the sultan;” and came immediately to the gallies attended by many of his principal officers.  The Kiahya presented him with a handkerchief round his neck to the Pacha, who embraced and entertained him with much courtesy.  After a long conference, the Pacha caused two vests of figured velvet to be brought, which he put with his own hands on the sheikh, and made all the lords of his retinue be clothed in a similar manner.  They conferred together afterwards for a long time, and the sheikh was dismissed with leave to return to the city.  What happened afterwards it is not proper for me to relate[224]; suffice it to say, that Solyman suddenly gave orders to a sanjack with 500 janizaries to take possession of the city, the inhabitants of which, like those of Kharabaia[225], are swarthy, lean, and of small stature.  Aden is a place of considerable trade, particularly with India, at which there arrive every year three or four ships laden with various kind of spices, which are afterwards sent to Cairo.  In these parts grow ginger of Mecca, but no other sort.

[Footnote 224:  In the edition of Ramusio, the author is made to relate the story openly, in the following manner:  “That same instant after dismissing the sheikh, the Pacha, caused him to be hanged by the neck at the yard-arm, together with four of his principal officers or favourites.”—­Ast.  I. 92. a.]