This morning about ½ past 10 oclock a violent squall suddenly burst upon the ship the wind howling amongst the rigging, the rain pouring down in torrents and the lightning flashing over the vessel. There were a few peals of thunder, but a great deal more silent lightning, which every few seconds illuminated the deck as brilliantly as day. All hands were summoned on deck and the sails were hauled down. In about an hour it subsided...
...I had got up shortly after it broke out having been awakened by the noise and when it began to abate went to bed again and fell asleep. Sometimes afterwards I awoke in great alarm and distress, howling or attempting to howl for assistance, as I thought that I had a pig in my bed. To my great relief I found that it had been only the nightmare.
Notwithstanding the detention occasioned by the squall we ran 165 miles, wind and current being in our favour.The new moon in the evening was now quite distinctly visible a thin crescent with the points extended in a very thin luminous ring completing the circle, as we often see it in England...
...Frequently in the evening the Mahomedans might be seen at their prayers. Generally choosing a place from which they might have a view of the horizon looking towards Mecca, the burial place of the Prophet, they stood or knelt muttering words of prayer, every now and then prostrating themselves and touching the floor with their forehead. This was first observed in Egypt in the Nile boat, and was frequently seen afterwards immediately after sunset.
The full journal will soon be published by Annet House Museum, Linlithgow. Waldie's journey to India forms a key feature of the museum's Waldie exhibition.
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