_ 46 _ On Saturday morning, 7th of that month and the eve of Palm Sunday, we sailed along the coast and saw some islands fifteen leagues out from the mainland, stretching for about six leagues. On these islands [Pemba], which are all populated with Moors, they make masts for the ships of that country. At sunset, we dropped anchor off the city of Mombasa but did not enter the port. On our arrival, a zavra loaded with Moors came to us. In front of the city were many ships bedecked with flags. Not to be outdone by them, we displayed quite a few of our own, even though we were short of men and the few we had were very sick. We anchored there in high spirits, thinking that we would go ashore the next day to attend mass with the Christians, whom we were assured lived there under their own alcaide, set apart from the Moors. The pilots sailing with us told us that there were Moors and Christians residing on the island of Mombasa, each group living in its own quarter and with its own leader. Moreover, when we arrived, they would treat us with great honour and welcome us into their houses. This was said to give that impression, and not because it was so in reality. At twelve o'clock that night, about a hundred men approached in a zavra, all armed with cutlasses and shields.
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