For centuries, a northerly known as the Kaskazi would fill the lateen sails of Arab dhows traveling in pursuit of Africa's riches.
And the book is further marred by the same sort of excessive nautical argot (starboard this, lateen that) that makes Moby Dick such a tough sea of words to oar through.
The tartans, or lateen-rigged fishing boats, triangular scraps of white sail on the blue, are flocking back to port.