21 deg.
N. and a N. W. course, could not possibly lead to the discovery of the
Cape Verd islands, almost six degrees farther south, and at least six
degrees farther west. This difficulty may be solved, by supposing the
storm from the N.E. and that the ships drove to the S.W. from off Cape
Branco. - E.
[3] This passage alludes to the voyage of Antonio de Noli in 1462. And it
may be remarked, that de Faria, who mentions the discovery of these
islands by Noli, takes no notice of the actual discovery by Cada Mosto.
- Astl.
[4] The editor of Astleys Collection considers this as having been St
Jameses island, which is about twenty miles up the Gambia: But there
is a small island near the northern bank, now called Charles I. which
exactly corresponds with the distance in the text. - E.
[5] According to our best maps or charts of the Gambia, this river is
never less than four miles broad, and generally above five, till we
get near 100 miles up the river, to the reach which encircles the
Devils Point, where it still is two miles wide. It is possible that
the original journal of Cada Mosto may have had leagues of three
marine miles each, in which case the residence of Battimansa may have
been at or near the Devils Point, above 100 miles up the river.