[253 ] 



SECTION U. 



From St. J ago to the Mouth of the River Zaire. 



We weighed anchor about noon of the 12th, the wind 

 blowing fresh from off the island. At 5 o'clock, the fog at 

 the horizon having disappeared, we got sight of the peak 

 of Fogo, which reared itself above the skies. Though at a 

 distance of 14 leagues, the sun, Avhich was setting behind 

 the island, afforded us a distinct and beautiful view of its 

 form. The height of the peak probably is not less than 

 7000 feet, which is considerable for a spot of so small a 

 circumference. The following days we proceeded at a 

 moderate rate towards S.E. till the 19th, when the Avind 

 dying away, veered somewhat to the south. We had 

 calm weather and squalls alternately. Thus we found 

 ourselves in that miserable region which has been so much 

 spoken of as exposed to an everlasting calm and violent 

 rains. The wind that accompanied them generally blew 

 from the south, which obliged us to turn the ship's [head 

 towards the coast of Africa. The horizon was constantly 

 foggy. In the evening dark clouds arose from the east, 

 and flashes of lightning gleamed all the night. The west 

 was generally clear, sometimes with scattered dark clouds, 

 which at the setting of the sun, being tinged with an in- 



