The current dragged us towards the coast with more force than wassafe. As we advanced we saw first the island of Fuerteventura, famous forthe many camels that live there, and then later the small island of Lobos, the channel that separates Fuerteventura from Lanzarote. We spent the night on deck; the moon illumined theisland's volcanic peaks, whose slopes, covered in ash, shone like silver. night was beautifully serene and fresh; although we were only a shortdistance from theAfrican coast and the limit of the torrid zone, the thermometer recordedonly 18¡C. It seemed as if the phosphorescence of the sea heightened the mass oflight diffused in the air. After midnight great black clouds rose behindthe volcano and intermittently covered the moon and the beautiful Scorpion constellation. On the shorewe saw lights move in all directions; probably fishermen getting ready forwork. During the voyage we had been reading the ancient Spanish navigators, those moving lights reminded us of Pedro Gutiérrez Queen Isabel's page, who saw similarlights on Guanahani Island on the memorable night the New World wasdiscovered.