Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

CEUISE OF THE
the men were all asleep, and the silence was
only broken at intervals by the flapping of the
sail or an extra ripple against the bows of the
boat, caused by a " cat's paw " of a breeze, but
beyond and over that long extent of coast, only
a mile or two from us, was one almost incessant
sheet of lio-htnino; illuminatino- the distant hills
and broad extent of sea with the brilliancy of
daylight and bringing the outline of the whole
country into full relief. The flashes of lightning
succeeded each other at intervals never exceeding
five seconds, and their duration was at least
twice that period. This brilliant phenomenon
lasted half the night, but the lightning was
too far off for the thunder to reach us. The
scene became familiar to us afterwards, losing
much of the charm of novelty, but never shall
I forget that first night when we remained
under-weigh in the boat and I watched that
supernatural light, with almost rapturous
awe,
till nearly blinded by tlie sight, and, in tlie
absence of any accompanying noise of storm,
was reminded of the " still small voice " in the
sacred writings.
D