192 
ours had its sail-yard split, but it was repaired imme- 
diately. Several daos were obliged to haul in near the 
land to mend the sails that had been torn. Seven daos 
had not joined us at seven in the evening. We began 
to fear for them, for the sea raged tremendously, and 
the shoals were so very numerous, that the least negli- 
gence might occasion a shipwreck. It was requisite at 
every moment to pass through straits almost impracti- 
cable, and commonly with a terrible wind, which adds 
to the danger, and redoubles alarm. 
Sunday, 26th April. 
We continued our voyage at five o'clock in the 
morning, steering to the west. 
At seven, one of the Scherif *s daos making a bad 
tack, ran foul of us, and struck our larboard, turning 
afterwards by our poop, it returned upon the prow with 
such violence, that it carried away a part of it. Luckily 
this accident took place in an open and quiet sea, when 
there was not much wind, otherwise the danger might 
have been great. This was a proof of the unskilfulness 
of the captains, and the awkward management of these 
vessels with their heavy sails. 
We cast anchor immediately, as did also a part of the 
fleet to repair this damage, and the mast of another ship 
that had been broken the night before. The remainder 
of the fleet continued its route, with the exception of 
five daos, which were still missing. 
We were anchored in a good situation at the distance 
of half a mile from an island called Moard. The sea ap- 
peared sprinkled with islands, similar to that of Omel- 
melek, and with many shoals. 
An observation which I made of the passage of the 
sun, gave me for the latitude 25° 25' 24" North, but 
