Continuation of the Voyage to Suez, along the Arabian Shore of the Red
Sea.
We remained at anchor during the whole of the 26th and proceeded two
hours before day of the 27th, in very pleasant weather, and at eight
o'clock, having sailed 30 miles, we anchored in 4 fathoms at a place
called Yusuma. The 28th we coasted along the land till noon with a
fair wind, and then entered among certain banks two miles from the
shore, where we could not let go our anchors for fear of losing them,
being off a place named Mukare, 30 miles from Yusuma. The 29th, still
coasting along, we came among other shoals called Balir, thirty-five
miles farther on. The 30th continuing along shore till evening, we
anchored in 12 fathoms at a place called Mukhi, having proceeded 35
miles. Departing on the 31st with a calm two hours before day, the wind
springing up at sunrise, and in the evening we came to Ziden or
Jiddah the sea-port of Mecca. The Pacha landed on the 1st of April,
and pitched his tents on the outside of the town, where he rested four
days. On the 7th he rode away for Mecca, on pilgrimage, leaving orders
for the fleet to proceed to Suez[240]. On the 8th the fleet was driven
two miles out to sea by a contrary wind, and was obliged to come to
anchor among the shoals. Remaining here till the 11th, we made sail with
a fair wind, and at the twentieth hour came into the port of Contror
Abehin, where one of our gallies was sunk in attempting to double a
point of land. At this place a carpenter belonging to the Venetian
gallies of Alexandria, named Mark, turned Mahometan and remained behind.
Having staid here two days, we proceeded again with a fair wind along
shore, and cast anchor in 12 fathoms at a place called Amomuskhi, 70
miles farther. Setting sail on the 15th two hours before day, the
Moorish captains galley got aground on a bank, but was towed off by
the boats belonging to the other ships, without having received any
damage. We then coasted along the land 30 miles, to a place called
Raban or Robon, where we cast anchor in 13 fathoms. From the 16th to
the 20th both inclusive, we left this place every day, and were always
forced to return by contrary winds. The 21st we departed with an off
shore wind; but at the sixth hour of the day were again driven towards
the coast by a contrary wind, and obliged to put in among certain banks
where we remained all night.
[Footnote 240: It does not appear that the Pacha ever rejoined his
fleet. It has been already mentioned from De Faria, that on his return
to Turkey he was reduced to the necessity of killing himself. "Cruel and
tyrannical men like him, says De Faria, should always be their own
executioners." - E.]
The 22d we coasted along by favour of a land breeze; but the wind coming
contrary were obliged to anchor at a place called Farsi, having only
advanced 16 miles. The 23d we continued along the coast till noon, when
the wind changed full in our teeth, and we had to come to anchor at a
place named Sathan, having sailed 25 miles that day. The 24th we
proceeded along the coast till noon, when the wind became again
contrary, and we were driven to the coast, and came to Lorma, 30 miles
beyond Sathan. We rowed along shore against the wind on the 25th, and
came at evening to Yamboa[241]. This place affords provisions,
particularly fish and dates. Their water is kept in cisterns, and has to
be brought on camels from a place a days journey distant, as there are
no wells or springs. A days journey[242] inland from this place is a
large town named Medinah, or Medinat al Nubi, where is the sepulchre
of Mahomet, though commonly said to be at Mecca[243]. We remained at
Yamboa six days, and set sail at four o'clock on the 1st of May; but
after proceeding only 10 miles the wind became contrary, and we had to
anchor among some shoals, where we staid two days. During the 3d and
4th, we had to stand off and on, beating up against a contrary wind; and
so continued for six days, advancing only eight miles in all that
time. The 10th and 11th, the wind being still contrary, we made only 10
miles, and anchored in a different place. Proceeding along the coast on
the 13th, we came up with a galleon which left Zabid before the rest
of the fleet. The pilots name was Mikali, and some of those on board
belonged to the Venetian gallies of Alexandria.
[Footnote 241: Called Jombu in the edition of Aldus, and Jambut by
Rarmusio. This is Yembo, Yambo, or Yamboa, the Italians using the J
instead of the Y. Yamboa is the port of Medina, Medinah, or Medinat
al Nubi, signifying the city, or the city of the prophet. - Astl. I.
100. c.]
[Footnote 242: Medina is at least 90 miles inland from Yamboa, which
cannot be less than three ordinary days journeys. - E.]
[Footnote 243: This error has been long since corrected, yet many
travellers still persist in placing the tomb of Mahomet at Mecca. - Astl.
I. 100. d. - Christian travellers are debarred from visiting the holy
cities of Mecca and Medina. At Mecca the grand object of pilgrimage is
the Caaba or holy house, containing a black stone, the remains of
the ancient Pagan superstition of the Arabians: Perhaps the same with
the Lingam or Priapus of the Hindoos. - E.]
The 14th, we sailed 10 miles[244] along the coast, and cast anchor in 7
fathoms at a place named Sikhabo. The 15th we sailed 70 miles N.W. and
came to anchor in the open sea.
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