bought 100 quintals, and it was still so liquid, either from newness, or because of the heat, that it was ready to run out of the skins.  The quintal of this place, as tried by our beam, weighed 103 1/2 pounds English.  Aloes is made from the leaves of a plant resembling our sempervivum, or house-leek, the roots and stalk being cut away, the rest strongly pressed, and the juice boiled up to a certain height, after which it is put into earthen pots, closely stopped for eight months, and is then put into skins for sale.  The north part of Socotora is in 12 deg. 30’, and the body in 120 deg. 25’.[166] It is fourteen leagues from this island to Abdul Curia, and as much more from thence to cape Guardafui.  Such as mean to sail for Socotora, should touch at that cape, and sail from thence next morning a little before day-break, to lose no part of the day-light, the nights here being dark and obscure, with fogs and boisterous winds, during the months of August and September.  On getting into Abdul Curia, they may anchor on the west side in seven or eight fathoms, under the low land; or, if they cannot get to anchor, should keep close hauled in the night to the southward, lest the wind and northerly current put them too much to leeward before day.  Notwithstanding the monsoon, the winds do not blow steadily, being sometimes S. by W. and S.S.W. but seldom to the east of south.

[Footnote 166:  These two numbers unquestionably relate to the longitude and latitude respectively, though strangely expressed.  The true lat. is 13 deg. 20’N. and long. 53 deg.  E. from Greenwich.—­E.]

“Socotora is an island not far from the mouth of the Red Sea, being the Dioscuria or Disoscordia of the ancients, in lat. 13 deg. 20’ N. It was governed when we were there by a sultan, named Amir Ben-said, son of the king of Fartaque, in Arabia Felix, which lies between the latitudes of 15 deg. and 18 deg.  N. on the coast of Arabia.  This king was in peace with the Turks, on condition of assisting them with 5000 men when required, and then these troops to be paid and maintained by the Turks, to whom he paid no other acknowledgement.  Near to the sea about Dofar, there is another petty Arab sovereign, whom he of Fartaque dare not meddle with, because he is under the protection of the Grand Signior.

“The sultan of Socotora came down to meet us at the shore, accompanied by 300 men, and had a tent set up for his accommodation.  He was on horseback, as were two of his principal attendants, and a third on a camel, the people running before and behind him shouting.  He had two companies of guards, one composed of his own subjects, and the other consisting of twelve hired Guzerates, some armed with Turkish bows, some with pistols, and some with muskets, but all having good swords.  He had also a few kettle-drums, and one trumpet.  He received the general in a courteous manner, and was so absolute, that no person could sell any thing except himself.  His people sat about him very respectfully; his clothes were of Surat cloths, made in the Arabian fashion, with a cassock of red and white wrought velvet, and a robe of which the ground was cloth of gold.  He wore a handsome turban, but his legs and feet were bare.