קעח

And behold — after Rosh Hashonah — great anguish entered our hearts. For the captain said it was possible he would be delayed there many days — perhaps forty days. For near here began the channel (called the canal) which joined the two seas into one. And there it was impossible to go except by a straight wind — which was not available in these times at all. For throughout all the road we had traveled by sidewinds. And here it was impossible to go with such winds — only when there would be a straight wind. And who knew how long the delay would be — for according to their knowledge and investigation it seemed to them that in these times the needed wind for our road would not come. And also many more ships were standing there with us together in that place. And every time new ships came. And when they reached that place they stood there. And they said that some of them had been standing there already for several weeks. And some also said that near that place stood two hundred more ships that could not go there because they required precisely a straight wind. And because of all this we had great anguish. And we stood there all week until holy Shabbas arrived. And on Erev Shabbas — the sailors brought us grapes. And also the captain did us good and sold us dry bread on credit. And all this was great kindness from Hashem Blessed be He. And Hashem expanded things for us in distress — in the very distress itself and so on — [as explained in Likutay Rishon in §195]. And I raised my eyes to Heaven: Master of the Universe — have mercy on us and do not delay us greatly. For I believe with complete faith that they do not know at all — and everything is governed only by Your Providence alone — and You can change the wind at Your will at every moment and every instant. [Here some of his holy handwriting was lost and damaged.] Still: