The 6th September, in lat. 23 deg. 30’ S. wind southerly, a pleasant gale.  This day, after dinner, we saw land, and before night, came to anchor in the bay of St Augustine, where we found the Union distressed for want of provisions.[319] The 7th, I went ashore in my pinnace to endeavour to get fresh victuals for the people, but could not; we got however wood and water.  The 10th, we steered along the coast with a fresh gale at S.E. reckoning to have made twenty-six leagues that day, but we only went twenty-two, owing to a current setting south.  The 11th, we steered along the land, having still a great current against us.  The 20th, at noon, our latitude was 11 deg. 10’, the variation being 12 deg. 40’ This afternoon we saw land, being the islands of Queriba,[320] which are dangerous low islands, environed with rocks and shoals.

[Footnote 319:  See the narrative of her voyage in sect. ix. of this chapter.]

[Footnote 320:  Querimba, an island and river of that name on the Cafre coast, in lat. 12 deg. 30’ S. There is an island called Oibo, a little way to the north, and another named Goat’s island, a little-way south of Querimba; all three being probably the islands of Queriba in the text.—­E.]

The 16th October, early in the morning, we saw the Duas Irmanas, or Two Sisters, bearing N. by W. the wind at S.W. and the 18th, we came to anchor in a sandy bay in the island of Socotora, in lat. 12 deg. 25’ N.[321] In the evening we caught many fish with the sein.  The 21st, we endeavoured to get into the road of Tamarin, the chief town of the island, but from contrary winds were unable to get there till the 25th.  The latitude of Tamarin is 12 deg. 30’ [13 deg. 37’] S. This town stands at the foot of high rugged hills, and the road is all open between E. by N. and W.N.W.  We anchored in ten fathoms on good ground.  I sent Mr Femell ashore well accompanied, with a present to the king of a cloth vest, a piece of plate, and a sword-blade, when he promised all possible kindness.  The 26th, I went ashore, accompanied by the chief merchants and a strong guard, and being conducted to the king’s house, he entertained me courteously.  I enquired of him concerning the trade of the Red Sea, which he highly commended, saying, the people of Aden and Mokha were good, and would be glad to trade with us.  He said farther, that the Ascension had sold all her goods there at high prices, and came so light to Tamarin as to require much ballast.  This news gave me good content.  I asked leave to set up my pinnace on his island, but he would not allow it in this road, as if I staid long at Tamarin it might deter all others from coming there; but if I chose to return to the former port, I might set up the pinnace at that place.  On enquiring for aloes, he said he had sent away all his aloes to his father, who resides at Kushem, near Cape Fartak, being king of that part of Arabia Felix.  I asked leave to wood and water.  He gave me free leave to take water, but said, if I would have any wood, I must pay very dear for it.  He confirmed the loss of the Ascension and her pinnace, which was no small grief to me.  He urged me much to go to the Red Sea, but advised me not to attempt trade at Fartak, as he thought his father would not allow me.  I and all my people dined with the king, and then went aboard.