The 6th of January, 1599, we doubled Cape Aguillas, the most southern point of Africa, in lat. 35 deg.  S. [34 deg. 45’] where the compass has no variation.[35] The 6th of February we fell in with Madagascar, short of St Romano, [or Cape St Mary, at its southern end;] and not being able to double it, we bore room with [bore away to leeward for] the bay of St Augustine on the south-west side of that island, in lat. 23 deg. 50’ S. [23 deg. 30’.] The 3d of March we anchored in that bay, where we saw many people on the shore, but they all fled when we landed; for when, our baas was in this bay on the former voyage, he greatly abused the people, and having taken one of them, he had him tied to a post and shot to death, having besides used them otherwise most shamefully.  After seven days, we enticed some of them to come to us, from whom we bought some milk and one cow; but they soon left us, and would not have any more connexion with us.  They are a strong well-shaped people, of a coal-black colour, having a sweet and pleasing language.  Their weapons are spears or half pikes, headed with iron, which they keep very clear; and they go quite naked.  The soil appeared very fertile, and we saw a vast number of tamarind trees.  We found another high tree producing beans very good to eat, in pods two feet long, and the beans of a proportional size.  We saw here many cameleons.  We English suffered no small misery, especially in this bay:  but God, the ever living commander, was our only succour.

[Footnote 35:  This, it must be noticed, was in the year 1599.  The variation alters progressively, increasing to a maximum in one deflexion; it then retrogrades till it points true north, which it progressively overpasses in the opposite deflexion to a maximum again.  But these changes do not proceed with sufficient regularity to admit of being predicted with any certainty.—­E.]

This 8th of March we came on board hungry and meatless, and on the 14th we set sail from this place, which we called Hungry bay, shaping our coarse to the northward along the west side of the island.  The 29th, we came to the islands of Comoro, between 12 deg. and 13 deg.  S. [12 deg. 32’ and 15 deg. 16’.] There are five of these islands, named Mayotta, Anzuame, Magliaglie, San Christophero, and Spiritu Santo.[36] The 30th, we anchored at Mayotta close by a town, where there were many people who seemed rejoiced at our arrival, and came on board, bringing us presents of victuals.  The king sent a message to our baas, inviting him on shore with promise of much kindness; and when he landed, the king met him with a great retinue, having three drums beaten before him.  He and his principal followers were richly dressed, in long silken robes, embroidered in the Turkish fashion:  and after using us with great kindness, gave us a letter of recommendation for the Queen of Anzuame, or Hinzuan, as that island has no king.

[Footnote 36:  There are six islands in the Comoro group:  1.  Comoro, Gasidza, of Angazesio:  2.  Malalio, Senbraeas, or Moelia:  3.  Mayotta:  4.  St Christophus:  5.  Hinzuan, Angouan, or Joanna:  6.  St Esprit.  Which last has four inlets off its western side, and one to the N.E. of its northern end.—­E.]