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258 cated to Colonel Murray; that that officer, taking with him the Bombay detachment under Colonel Ramsay and the division under Colonel Beresford, had sailed up the Gulf towards Suez. Baird's first impulse was to follow them; but he was restrained by the necessity which existed to take in a supply of fresh water — the tanks having run very low. He availed himself of the delay thus caused to endeavour to secure by every means in his power the friendship and co-operation of the chief authorities at Mecca.

On the evening of his arrival, Baird received intelligence of the victory gained on the 21st March by Sir Ralph Abercromby over the French troops under General Menou.

On the 24th General Baird was on the point of sailing from Jedda when Sir Home Popham arrived in H.M.S. Romney, 50 guns, with the sloop Victor in company, closely followed by the division he was escorting from the Cape. This consisted of H.M.'s 61st Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Carruthers; several troops of the 8th Light Dragoons, Captain Hawkers; and a detachment. Royal Artillery, Captain Beaver. Sir Home Popham brought, however, no intelligence regarding Colonels Wellesley and Champagné. Nothing had been heard at Mocha either of them or of the provision ships that were to precede or accompany them when Sir Home Popham touched at that place.

On the 26th May Baird sailed from Jedda with Sir Home Popham in the Romney, and reached Kosseir on the 6th June. He found there Colonel Murray, and the troops that had accompanied them.