184 VOYAGE FROM INDIA TO SIAM AND MALACCA. 



storm from the north-east raging in the Chinese sea, only the 

 waves were broken by passing through fathomless depths, which 

 from Cambodia stretch far into the sea. To this circumstance 

 the changing course of the waves was also due. We were to- 

 day between the eighth and seventh degree. 



In the afternoon we had strong wind from the north-east, 

 which generally comes from the south-east, like the waves, and 

 it only assumes any other direction passing the Cambodian 

 mountains if there is a strong storm from the north-east raging 

 in China. 



The air looked very stormy and we had some fine rain- 

 showers. 



8. — The north-east wind, which had sprung up yesterday, 

 increased during the nig'ht, and the further we came from the 

 land, which of course we did on account of our course being to 

 East-South-East, the more it increased in violence and the higher 

 grew the waves. We heard several things being broken and 

 some of the sails being torn. The changeable dull weather, 

 combined with small showers, continued and all port-holes and 

 windows had to be closed. The terrible night began, and we 

 were quite uncertain of what our fate would be, because our ship 

 was old and the north-east wind seemed to split the upper part of 

 the vessel on one side. Towards three o'clock we met a big ship, 

 which seemed to have lost its upper masts ; its course was towards 

 South-South-East, but we kept to the course which we had 

 taken. In the evening after sunset the wind calmed down a 

 little, which renewed our hopes, but the sea was very high all 

 during the night, and the atmosphere was dull and rainy. 



9. — The wind continued from the same quarters as yester- 

 day, but was not so strong- ; the showers were strong and calmed 

 the waves ; it continued to rain all throug'h the day and the sea, 

 which had been filled with foam had cast them off after the 

 storm. Yesterday morning I could still see some of the masses 

 of foam rolled conically together, but to-day I did not discover 

 any trace of them. 



10. — Early to-day the rain continued until about nine 

 o'clock. The wmd was more favourable, as we directed our 

 course to the Xorth-East and at times to the South. It was dis- 

 agreeably cold for this climate. After noon we rejoiced gTeatly, 

 when just in front of us Pullu Simon was discovered, whereto 



