[96], one of which is attached to every respectable house,
and contains sufficient for the consumption of the family during
the year. The natural position of Santa Cruz is extremely strong,
perhaps not less so than Gibraltar, though not on a peninsula; and
it might, in the hands of an European power, be made impregnable
with very little expense; it might also be made a very convenient
and most advantageous depot for the establishment of an extensive
66 commerce with the whole of the interior of North Africa. An attempt
of this kind was made about forty or fifty years since, by the
Danes, who anchored with several ships, and landed a mile south of
Agurem; and with stones, all ready cut, and numbered, erected on an
eminence[97], by the dawn of the following day, a battery of twelve
guns. But by a stratagem of the bashaw El Hayanie, who at that time
was bashaw of Suse, they were rendered unable to retain possession
of their fort; their plans were accordingly disconcerted, and the
adventurers retreated, and returned to their ships.

[Footnote 96: The mitfere under my house at Santa Cruz,
contained, when full, four hundred pipes of water. At the
termination of the rainy season in March, it was generally
about two-thirds full, supplied from the flat roof or terras
during the rainy season. There was always much more than we
could consume, accordingly great quantities were distributed
among the poor, about the close of the season, or the autumn
previous to the next rainy season.]

[Footnote 97: Called Agadeer Arba.]

At the south-east extremity of the wall of Santa Cruz there is a
round battery, which protects the town from west to east; and might
be made to protect the valley to the east of the mountain. This
battery, with a little military skill, might be made to protect
every access to the town, not protected by the battery before
mentioned, which is situated about half way up the western
declivity of the mountain, and which commands or secures the fonte,
or spring, against an attack from any hostile force.
67

LETTER IV.

_Command of the Commerce of Sudan._

TO THE SAME.

Santa Cruz, May 5, 1792.

If Great Britain were to purchase the port of Santa Cruz of the
emperor, for a certain annual stipe