We Then Sent Our Skiff In
Shore, To See If Any Place Could Be Discovered Of More Security For Our
Ship to ride in; but, on account of the great sea that came rolling into
the bay, the surge was
So violent that they could not come near the
shore, and had to return as they went; only that they had been able to
descry some fair stone-houses by the sea-side, which proved to be
Doffar, in Arabia Felix.
[Footnote 109: Lat. 13 deg. 35' S. Long. 45 deg. 30' E. from Greenwich. - E.]
[Footnote 110: These islands are at the mouth of a bay of the same name
on the oceanic coast of that portion of Arabia named Mahra, in long, 55 deg.
30' E. from Greenwich. - E.]
When God sent us a little clear weather, we could perceive a high cape
on the western side of the bay, which we discovered from our skiff the
second time it was sent, and could plainly see that it formed a very
good road for all kinds of winds, except between the E. and S. by E.
points. We were thankful to God for this discovery, and warped our ship
to that road, with much toil to our men, as it was six or seven leagues
from the place where we had anchored. On the 3d of August, having
brought our ship to anchor in that road, we went ashore in the boat to a
little village by the sea-side, called Resoit, inhabited mostly by
Arabian fishermen, who entertained us kindly, and gave us all the
information we desired respecting the country. The governor also of
Doffar came down to us, whose name was Mir Mahommed Madoffar, who
bade us kindly welcome, and presented us with three bullocks, and some
sheep, goats, hens, sugar-canes, plantains, cocoa-nuts, and the like. In
return we made him a present of a fine damasked fowling-piece, double
lockt, which he greatly admired. He appeared to desire our friendship as
much as we did his; and he gave us licence to land at all times when we
were inclined. He also gave orders to have a market established for us
at the village of Resoit, that we might be supplied with every kind of
provision that the country affords. Their cattle were both dear and
lean, and fresh water so scarce, bad, and difficult to be had, that we
were forced to hire the natives to bring it down to us in skins from a
distance, paying them at the rate of twenty-four shillings for the fill
of five pipes.
Before leaving this place, Mir Mahommed desired us to leave a writing of
commendation in his favour, specifying the kind and good entertainment
we had received. This was accordingly granted, and I wrote it upon
parchment, beginning it in large letters, the purport being similar to
that granted at Mohelia, and this also was signed by the captain. The
governor also sent us three notes signed by himself, for the purpose of
being given by us to other ships, if they should happen to come upon
this part of the coast, as we had been constrained to do, by which he
might know our ships from those of other nations, and give them good
entertainment accordingly.
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