Page 495

An.1688

A Halo about the Sun. A Storm.

We had then also a very ill presage, by a great Circle about the Sun, (5 or 6 times the Diameter of it) which seldom appears, but storms of Wind, or much Rain ensue. Such Circles about the Moon are more frequent, but of less import. We do commonly take great notice of these that are about the Sun, observing if there be any breach in the Circle, and in what quarter the breach is, for from thence we commonly find the greatest stress of the Wind will come. I must confess that I was a little anxious at the sight of this Circle, and wisht heartily that we were near some Land. Yet I shewed no sign of it to discourage my Con- forts, but made a virtue of necessity, and put a good countenance on the matter.

I told Mr. Hall that if the Wind became too strong and violent, as I feared it would, it being even then very strong, we must of necessity sheer away before the Wind and Sea, till better Wea- ther presented; and that as the Winds were now, we should, instead of about 20 leagues to Achin, be driven 60 or 70 leagues to the Coast of Cudda or Queda, a Kingdom, and Town, and Harbour of Trade on the Coast of Malacca.

The Winds therefore bearing very hard, we rolled up the foot of our Sail on a pole fastned to it, and settled our yard within 3 foot of the Canoa sides, so that we had now but a small sail; yet it was still too big, considering the Wind; for the Wind being on our broad side, preft her down very much, tho supported by her Outlagers; info- much that the poles of the Outlagers going from the sides of their Vessel, bent as if they would break ; and should they have broken our over- turning and perishing had been inevitable. Besides, the Sea increasing, would soon have filled the Ves- fel this way. Yet thus we made a shift to bear up with the side of the Vessel against the Wind for a while: