We still were in sight of the fine dark mountain ranges of Ceylon.

Now and then, too, some huge detached groups of rocks would be visible towering above the waves.
29th October.

Saw no land.

A few whales betrayed their presence by the showers of spray they spouted up, and immense swarms of flying fish were startled by the noise of our engines.
On the morning of the 30th of October we came in sight of the Indian continent.

We soon approached near enough to the shore to distinguish that it was particularly remarkable for its beauty, being flat and partly covered with yellow sand; in the back-ground were chains of low hills.
At 1 o'clock, P.M., we anchored at a considerable distance (six miles) from Madras.