Odyssey From Africa 11d

Odyssey from Africa, Chapter 11 (d) cont... Thus the boarding of the parties Was a speedy operation Very soon the whole flotilla Sailed toward the open ocean This wide bay from which the ships set Sail is called the Bay of Pemba In the present land of Mozambique Along its golden seashore Their departure coincided With the early morning sea-breeze Which at dawn still blowing offshore Helped the ships to clear the wave line Han was seized by fascination In this wondrous feat of sailing How the changing winds were harnessed Into speed and foaming bow-wave Two great masts held high the sail-sheets From the first the jibs and foresails From the next the top and mainsail At the stern the guiding rudder Ropes were woven from the bark of Baobab trees and held secure the Fabric sails and swinging sail booms; They were shortened or were lengthened By drum winches that were mounted On the gunwales and the transom Han had never seen such craftwork Seen such high sophistication In shipbuilding. For some moments He admired it without speaking Turning aft he started talking With the sailor at the tiller Both were well experienced seamen So they spoke a common language Traded secrets of their boat-lore Of the sea, its joys and dangers As the sun approached its zenith All around lay endless ocean Scarcely on the west horizon Could they see the land’s thin profile Passing out of view behind them As they headed south and eastward To their port side far away the Misty plumes of whales were sighted Now the chieftain of their party Sat down near to Han and Kwona To discuss with them arrangements For their visit to the kingdom They would live as guests together In the household of the family Of a leading individual An official of the kingdom There were seven grades of service That the kingdom held in honour There were warriors and craftsmen Also scholars and the healers There were gatherers, there were merchants And the king’s own royal servants Han expressed his greatest interest In the craftsmen and shipbuilders Those that built these ocean schooners Which evoked his admiration Word accordingly was given. All the while they sailed on eastward To their journey’s destination To the land of Madagascar Which would be six hundred miles of Sailing from the Bay of Pemba For the children the excitement Of the ocean journey faded As the hours passed by unnumbered In relentless sun and sea-wind