22 
MOSAMBIQUE. 
In going into the harbour it is necessary to sail close under the 
walls of a fort situated on the north end of the Island. This fort is 
strongly built, of an octagonal form furnished with six bastions, 
the foundation of which at its northern extremity extends beyond 
the low water-mark into the sea : above high-water mark stands a 
parapet, mounted with eight or ten guns flanking from S. E. to 
N. W. over which the main wall rises about eighty feet. As 
we passed the fort we were hailed, as is customary, from the 
ramparts with a capacious trumpet about three feet in circum- 
ference, which appeared as if it had answered the same purpose 
ever since the establishment of the colony. Soon after rounding 
the point we came to an anchor in seven fathoms, outside of 
twelve Portuguese vessels which were riding in the port, when 
we were somewhat surprised to find that neither the Staunch nor 
Marian had arrived. 
Immediately opposite to the anchorage lies the town of Mosam- 
bique, which occupies the central part of an island of the same 
name situated directly across the mouth of a deep bay. This 
island measures about two miles and a half in length, and a 
quarter of a mile in breadth, resembling in shape a crescent 
with its hollow part towards the sea. 
The landing place is about a musquet shot from the anchorage, 
and is rendered very commodious by steps carried out on either 
side of a pier built on arches, which formerly extended a consider- 
able way into the sea. This had been much injured by time and 
weather, but was then undergoing a thorough repair. 
On our landing, the guard, stationed near the pier-head 
was turned out to salute Captain Fisher, and we were led forward 
