FROM ANCON TO THE ISLAND 



31 



proper thatch if they were not cut at the right 

 time of the moon. 



Out past the point where the casa grande stood, 

 we came into one of the wide bays of Gatun 



Fig, 14. The "casa grande" — a native hut 



Lake, where we could sight across the Canal to 

 Barro Colorado, whose nearest point was a mile 

 away. But the wind was upland we knew that 

 we might have to paddle over a three-mile route 

 to reach a landing place, for the cayuca may 

 capsize if the waves strike flat against its side or 



