long, low, monotonous coastlines scarcely breaking the 

 smooth curve of the horizon. I was totally unprepared for 

 the sight which met my eyes. 



On both sides of Sea Diver loomed brown, tumbled 

 mountains. Recalling the chart which I had studied the 

 night before, I realized that we were approaching the 

 wide, deep stretch of water which separates Tortuga is- 

 land, pirate stronghold of bygone days, from the moun- 

 tainous north coast of Haiti. The sun was not yet up, and 

 only a pale glow suffused the eastern sky ahead of us, 

 barely lighting the mists which clung to tlie high brown 

 shores. 



As I made my way forward to the pilothouse to take 

 over the watch from Ed, a wave of anticipation swept over 

 me at the thought of seeking Columbus's lost Santa Maria 

 in these strange, picturesque surroundings. Captain Weems 

 was there also, eager to savor with us our first view of the 

 Haitian coast. Neither of the men had any thought of re- 

 tiring, for at last our track was joined with that of the Santa 

 Maria; she had sailed these same waters only days before 

 meeting her tragic end on a shoal off Cap Haitien. From 

 now on it was important to check and compare our every 

 move with both present-day charts and the word picture 

 presented in Columbus's log. 



Our bow was now cutting directly into the waves which 

 rolled through the passage from the east, headed straight 

 into the sunrise, and Sea Diver had at last ceased the un- 

 pleasant roll which had plagued us throughout the night. 

 Reassured by the smoothness. Bill and Clayton soon joined 

 us, wide-eyed at the splendor of the towering mountains 

 on either side. 



Thinking that I had better feed my crew while things 

 were quiet and peaceful, I turned the wheel over to Cap- 

 tain Weems and transferred my activities to the galley. 

 When I returned to the pilothouse some time later, we 



160 Sea Diver 



