Chapter XL: Section IX

_Continuation of the Voyage to Suez, along the Arabian Shore of the Red Sea_.

We remained at anchor during the whole of the 26th and proceeded two hours before day of the 27th, in very pleasant weather, and at eight o'clock, having sailed 30 miles, we anchored in 4 fathoms at a place called _Yusuma_. The 28th we coasted along the land till noon with a fair wind, and then entered among certain banks two miles from the shore, where we could not let go our anchors for fear of losing them, being off a place named _Mukare_, 30 miles from Yusuma. The 29th, still coasting along, we came among other shoals called _Balir_, thirty-five miles farther on. The 30th continuing along shore till evening, we anchored in 12 fathoms at a place called _Mukhi_, having proceeded 35 miles. Departing on the 31st with a calm two hours before day, the wind springing up at sunrise, and in the evening we came to _Ziden_ or _Jiddah_ the sea-port of Mecca. The Pacha landed on the 1st of April, and pitched his tents on the outside of the town, where he rested four days. On the 7th he rode away for Mecca, on pilgrimage, leaving orders for the fleet to proceed to Suez[240]. On the 8th the fleet was driven two miles out to sea by a contrary wind, and was obliged to come to anchor among the shoals. Remaining here till the 11th, we made sail with a fair wind, and at the _twentieth_ hour came into the port of _Contror Abehin_, where one of our gallies was sunk in attempting to double a point of land. At this place a carpenter belonging to the Venetian gallies of Alexandria, named Mark, turned Mahometan and remained behind. Having staid here two days, we proceeded again with a fair wind along shore, and cast anchor in 12 fathoms at a place called _Amomuskhi_, 70 miles farther. Setting sail on the 15th two hours before day, the _Moorish captains_ galley got aground on a bank, but was towed off by the boats belonging to the other ships, without having received any damage. We then coasted along the land 30 miles, to a place called _Raban_ or _Robon_, where we cast anchor in 13 fathoms. From the 16th to the 20th both inclusive, we left this place every day, and were always forced to return by contrary winds. The 21st we departed with an off shore wind; but at the sixth hour of the day were again driven towards the coast by a contrary wind, and obliged to put in among certain banks where we remained all night.

[Footnote 240: It does not appear that the Pacha ever rejoined his fleet. It has been already mentioned from De Faria, that on his return to Turkey he was reduced to the necessity of killing himself. "Cruel and tyrannical men like him, says De Faria, should always be their own executioners."--E.]

The 22d we coasted along by favour of a land breeze; but the wind coming contrary were obliged to anchor at a place called _Farsi_, having only advanced 16 miles. The 23d we continued along the coast till noon, when the wind changed full in our teeth, and we had to come to anchor at a place named _Sathan_, having sailed 25 miles that day. The 24th we proceeded along the coast till noon, when the wind became again contrary, and we were driven to the coast, and came to _Lorma_, 30 miles beyond Sathan. We rowed along shore against the wind on the 25th, and came at evening to _Yamboa_[241]. This place affords provisions, particularly fish and dates. Their water is kept in cisterns, and has to be brought on camels from a place a days journey distant, as there are no wells or springs. A days journey[242] inland from this place is a large town named _Medinah_, or _Medinat al Nubi_, where is the sepulchre of Mahomet, though commonly said to be at Mecca[243]. We remained at Yamboa six days, and set sail at four o'clock on the 1st of May; but after proceeding only 10 miles the wind became contrary, and we had to anchor among some shoals, where we staid two days. During the 3d and 4th, we had to stand off and on, beating up against a contrary wind; and so continued for _six_ days, advancing only eight miles in all that time. The 10th and 11th, the wind being still contrary, we made only 10 miles, and anchored in a different place. Proceeding along the coast on the 13th, we came up with a galleon which left _Zabid_ before the rest of the fleet. The pilots name was _Mikali_, and some of those on board belonged to the Venetian gallies of Alexandria.

[Footnote 241: Called _Jombu_ in the edition of Aldus, and _Jambut_ by Rarmusio. This is Yembo, Yambo, or Yamboa, the Italians using the _J_ instead of the _Y_. Yamboa is the port of _Medina, Medinah_, or _Medinat al Nubi_, signifying _the city_, or the city of the prophet.--Astl. I. 100. c.]

[Footnote 242: Medina is at least 90 miles inland from Yamboa, which cannot be less than _three_ ordinary days journeys.--E.]

[Footnote 243: This error has been long since corrected, yet many travellers still persist in placing the tomb of Mahomet at Mecca.--Astl. I. 100. d.--Christian travellers are debarred from visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. At Mecca the grand object of pilgrimage is the _Caaba_ or holy house, containing _a black stone_, the remains of the ancient Pagan superstition of the Arabians: Perhaps the same with the _Lingam_ or _Priapus_ of the Hindoos.--E.]

The 14th, we sailed 10 miles[244] along the coast, and cast anchor in 7 fathoms at a place named _Sikhabo_. The 15th we sailed 70 miles N.W. and came to anchor in the open sea. The 16th, we sailed along the coast 30 miles, and anchored at a place named _Buducktor_ or _Bubuktor_. The 17th sailing 30 miles along the coast, we anchored in 20 fathoms in the open sea, near an island called _Yenamani_. Going 20 miles along shore on the 18th, we anchored for the night off _Khifate_. We proceeded 50 miles along shore on the 19th, and anchored at _Molin_. The 20th, we anchored at sea 25 miles farther. Proceeding 48[245] miles on the 21st along shore, we anchored in the evening out at sea. The 22d, after sailing 10 miles, we anchored again at sea. Being in a very bad anchorage, we proceeded again on the 24th with a tolerably good wind. The half galley left an anchor and three cables at this last anchorage, and one galley ran aground but was got off. After advancing only 10 miles, we came to anchor in 8 fathoms with good ground, and remained two days. Proceeding 85 miles along the coast on the 26th, we came to anchor in a road-stead.

[Footnote 244: In Ramusio this distance is made 60 miles.--Astl. I. 100. e.]

[Footnote 245: Only 40 miles, in the copy published by Ramusio.--Astl. I. 100. f.]