_ 245 _ experienced pilot who was sailing with the fleet, came forward and pointed out to them that, as the winds were head-on, the galleys had no chance of making headway on that course or of reaching Muscat. On another voyage and on another occasion like that one, during the same monsoon, he had followed the very same route and had found favourable winds on the other coast, with which he was able to sail at will and, having crossed from Cape Jask, he had easily gained Muscat. Everyone agreed with his advice and, following that route, they put in at Muscat, the captain-major, however, sent even more ships to go and spy on the galleys. One day while the fleet was stopped there taking on supplies of some essential items, a marine monster entered the bay in which they were anchored. It was much larger than a whale, with an outlandish appearance never before seen. It came towards the captain-major’s galleon and circled it very slowly. On hearing the news, some local Arabs put some fishermen in a large terranquin and with some thick hawsers spliced together they make a noose in which they placed their bait. The monster promptly made for it and became caught in it. When the Moors became aware of this
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