'Travels from India to England : comprehending a visit to the Burman Empire, and a journey through Persia, Asia Minor, European Turkey, &c., in the years 1825-26, by James Edward Alexander' [‎65] (118/412)

BURMAN EMPIRE. 6 .5
preceding night. We saw Calicut, bearing N.E. by E.^E., and
several galliots in the roadstead.
It was truly delightful and heart-cheering to see land again, from
which we were distant only two miles ; and it was pleasing to reflect,
that the spot we now saw was the first land on the continent of India
beheld by the enterprizing Portuguese in 1498,
Who came
From Lusitanian mountains, dear to fame,
Whence Gama steered, and led the conquering way
To Eastern triumphs, and the realms of day.
Calicut, situated in latitude 11° 18', lies low, backed by forest-
covered ridges. In the distance towered the mighty western Ghauts.
Next day I observed that the sea was covered with sperm in every
direction, and multitudes of porpoises were tumbling about. I
noticed an extraordinary sea-serpent (murcena ophis), four feet in
length, chequered yellow and black, with a round tail, shaped like
the blade of an American paddle. We passed Mahe, a French
settlement, beautifully seated on an eminence near Tellicherry.
It was now determined that we should put into Cananore, as we
had exhausted our live stock. We accordingly stood for it, and in
the evening came in sight of the commandant's house and barracks:
when, to our great chagrin, the wind came to blow strong off shore,
and we were obliged to stand out again. In the blue distance we
observed Mount Delle, rising majestically out of the water, like a
sea-girt isle.
During the night of the 5th it rained, thundered and lightened
most fearfully. The forked lightning danced about the poop, at-
tracted by the iron belaying pins on the mizen-mast. Next day, at
K noon,