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a light wind, steering towards the north, and at six 
o'clock the -dao, on board of which I was, struck upon 
a rock level with the surface of the sea. N The shock was 
terrible, and made a large hole in the keel of the vessel 
near the prow, by which the water entered in large 
quantities. How shall I describe the confusion and dis- 
tress of the crew at this fatal moment! 1 hastened to get 
into the boat, followed by two of my servants, and some 
pilgrims, carrying with me my papers and my instru- 
ments. The other vessels of the little fleet being wit- 
nesses of our disaster, hoisted all their sails, and sent 
their boats to our succour. 
Our first thought after we saw ourselves in safety in 
the boat, was to present ourselves to be received into 
one of the other ships. The captain, whom we first ad- 
dressed, would not receive us. I experienced a similar 
refusal from a second. I was informed that when these 
too frequent misfortunes occur in this sea, it is cus- 
tomary not to receive any person or part of the cargo 
of the wrecked vessel on board another, until the cap- 
tain of the former has given the signal to do it; because 
the affair concerns his honour. We were in conse- 
quence obliged to await our fate in the boat. 
The captain, convinced of the impossibility of with- 
standing the quantity of water which poured into the 
vessel, gave the customary signal, and we were imme- 
diately admitted on board another dao. A part of the 
cargo was put on board the boats to be distributed 
among the other ships. The dao being thus much 
lighted, began to float, and was brought to anchor with 
the rest between a neighbouring island and the shore, 
where it was unladen, dismasted, and dragged ashore 
by means of the crews of the whole fleet united. 
This scene was not without its interest. Imagine 
