Page:Small-boat sailing; an explanation of the management of small yachts, half-decked and open sailing-boats of various rigs; sailing on sea and on river; cruising, etc (IA smallboatsailing01knig).pdf/297

 several hours; and when they wearied, the men enjoyed the luxurious supper that had been provided for them, consisting of rice to eat, water to drink, and some tobacco, which I had given them to smoke. It was a celebration of victory that would have astonished a winning crew at Cowes.

We did not come to an anchor this night, as the coast was now clear, with no outlying reefs or shoals to pick us up. Our black mate was at the helm all night; for the steering had now to be done by compass, and he was the only one of the crew who understood the English box-compass he had with him on the poop, and of which he was inordinately proud. He was very interested in my chart, and evidently comprehended it thoroughly, when I read the names out to him and pointed out the various landmarks. We made good way till dawn, when we had the low desert mainland close to us on our starboard hand, and over our port-bow the island of Difnein, on which there is a lighthouse, seventy miles from Massowah. We sailed before light breezes through the smooth green water, and at four in the afternoon were abreast of the south end of Harat Island, where there is another light, and but twenty-five miles from our destination.

The wind now headed us, and freshened considerably. We took long tacks, and sailed, with all possible canvas set, our lee bulwarks nearly level with the water. So soon as the sun was down we sighted the lights of Massowah, and at seven o'clock