In My Opinion, However, It Would Be
Dangerous To Repose Too Much Confidence In Them.
The king's
brother-in-law shewed me a letter of recommendation of the place,
written in Dutch, and left
There by a Hollander; and he requested of us
to leave a letter to the same purport, certifying their honest and
friendly dealings, that they might be able to show to others of our
nation. To this we consented, and I gave them a writing, sealed by our
captain, expressing the good entertainment we had received, and the
prices of provisions; yet recommending to our countrymen, not to trust
them any farther than might seem consistent with their own safety. They
speak a kind of Moorish language, somewhat difficult to learn; so that I
could only pick up the few words following, which may serve to ask for
provisions and fruits, by such as do not understand Portuguese, or in
speaking to any of the natives who have not that language.
Gumbey, a bullock.
Buze, a goat.
Coquo, a hen.
Sinzano, a needle.
Seiavoye, cocoa-nuts.
Demon, lemons.
Mage, water.
Surra, a kind of drink.
Soutan, the king.
Quename, a pine-apple.
Cartassa, paper.
Tudah, oranges.
Arembo, bracelets.
Figo, plantains.
This island of Mohelia is in lat 12 deg. 10' S.[109] and has good anchorage
in its road in forty fathoms. Having watered and refreshed ourselves
sufficiently, we sailed from thence on the 10th of July, directing our
course for the island of Socotora. The 19th we passed to the north of
the equator; and on the 25th we had sight of land, which we supposed to
have been Cape Guardafui, at the entrance into the Red Sea; and so,
taking a departure for Socotora, we were unable to find it. We were
therefore obliged to consider how we might shelter ourselves against the
fury of the winter in these parts, and also to procure refreshments;
wherefore we determined to sail for the islands of Curia Muria, which
are in about the latitude of 18 deg. N.[110] over against the desert of
Arabia Felix. In our way; the weather was continually so foggy, that
we were unable at any time to see half an English mile before us, such
being usual in these seas in the months of July, August, and September.
In all this time both the sun and stars were so continually obscured,
that we were never able to get an observation, by which to regulate or
correct our dead reckoning; but, God being our guide, we at length
groped out the land by means of the lead. We could now clearly perceive
the colour of the water to be changed to white, with many yellow grassy
weeds floating on the surface; and heaving the lead continually as we
advanced, we at length struck ground in forty-three fathoms. Proceeding
nearer the land, our sounding lessened to twenty-two fathoms, when we
anchored on good ground; and though we distinctly heard the rut of the
shore at no great distance, we could not perceive the land till next
day, when the weather was somewhat clearer.
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