ngth
groped out the land by means of the lead. We could now clearly perceive
the colour of the water to be changed to white, with many yellow grassy
weeds floating on the surface; and heaving the lead continually as we
advanced, we at length struck ground in forty-three fathoms. Proceeding
nearer the land, our sounding lessened to twenty-two fathoms, when we
anchored on good ground; and though we distinctly heard the rut of the
shore at no great distance, we could not perceive the land till next
day, when the weather was somewhat clearer. We then sent our skiff in
shore, to see if any place could be discovered of more security for our
ship to ride in; but, on account of the great sea that came rolling into
the bay, the surge was so violent that they could not come near the
shore, and had to return as they went; only that they had been able to
descry some fair stone-houses by the sea-side, which proved to be
_Doffar_, in Arabia Felix.

[Footnote 109: Lat. 13 deg. 35' S. Long. 45 deg. 30' E. from Greenwich.--E.]

[Footnote 110: These islands are at the mouth of a bay of the same name
on the oceanic coast of that portion of Arabia named Mahra, in long, 55 deg.
30' E. from Greenwich.--E.]

When God sent us a little clear weather, we could perceive a high cape
on the western side of the bay, which we discovered from our skiff the
second time it was sent, and could plainly see that it formed a very
good road for all kinds of winds, except between the E. and S. by E.
points. We were thankful to God for this discovery, and warped our ship
to that road, with much toil to our men, as it was six or seven leagues
from the place where we had anchored. On the 3d of August, having
brought our ship to anchor in that road, we went ashore in the boat to a
little village by the sea-side, called _Resoit_, inhabited mostly by
Arabian fishermen, who entertained us kindly, and gave us all the
information we desired respecting the country. The governor also of
_Doffar_ came down to us, whose name was _Mir Mahommed Madoffar_, who
bade us kindly welcome, and presented us with three bullocks, and some
sheep, goats, hens, sugar-canes, plantains, cocoa-nuts, and the like. In
return we made him a present of a fine damasked fowling-piece, double
lockt, which he greatly admired. He appeared to desire our friendship as
much as we did his; and he gave us licence to land at all times when we
were inclined. He also gave orders to have a market establish