Narkatine of Bahama Exi'j:uitiox. 93 



ance by the perspiring interpreter. The more serious the sit- 

 uation, the more utterly incomprehensible the language of the 

 pilot, and the more completely at sea was the mate, until the 

 hapless interpreter saw with consternation that either his rep- 

 utation or the vessel was to be wrecked, and promptly aban- 

 doned the former. The pilot then, thanks to a really good 

 knowledge of seamanship, flew from the wheel to the hal- 

 liards, back to the wheel, and then sprang with marvelous 

 agilitv to the fore-sheet, main-sheet, jib-sheet, or what not, 

 and thus ran the vessel by himself with a dexterity which cer- 

 tainlv could not be surpassed, and a skill that amazed us all. 

 This acrobatic performance ended in our dropping anchor 

 about noon in a quiet little harbor at the end of a deep bay, 

 affording an excellent protection against storms from any 

 direction except due north. 



The scene was one of ideal tropical beaut}'. To the west 

 were high banks and rolling grassy hills, dotted here and there 

 with tall palms. Eastward was a sombre mangrove swamp, 

 with its mvsterious shades and skeleton network of sprawling 

 roots rising from the still water. To the south were undulating 

 hills, with immense sugar plantations, and beyond, the noble 

 chain of mountains, their sharp peaks piercing above the heavy 

 and ominous bank of dark clouds, from wdiich the mutterings 

 of the coming storm could be heard. Soon the rain was fall- 

 ing as if the •• windows of hea\'en were opened." and all hands 

 w'ere driven below to escape a drenching. 



As is usual with these tierce squalls, tlie storm soon passed, 

 and was succeeded by a calm and the Cuban mosquitoes, which 

 came in swarms to sample the blood of the lowans. 



But other matters soon demanded our attention. A small 

 boat made its appearance, with a man who introduced himself 

 as the second in command at that port I there was only one 

 habitable house visible), and politeh- informed us that our 

 party could not land without a permit from the Captain of the 

 Port, who resided in a N'illage •• una legua " distant. Previous 

 knowledge of the Spanish league had taught me that it might 

 be anywhere from two to eight miles, but Captain Mowers and 



