40 A NAEllOW ESCAPE. 



of the 19th, they discovered the point of Naga ; but the 

 land, obscured by a thick mist, presented forms that were 

 vague and confused. As they approached the road of 

 Santa Cruz, they observed that the mist, driven by the 

 winds, drew nearer to them. The sea was strongly agi- 

 tated, as it most commonly is in those latitudes. The 

 vessel anchored after several soundings, for the mist was 

 so thick that they could scarcely distinguish objects at 

 a few cables' distance ; but at the moment they began to 

 salute the plaoe, the fog was instantly dispelled. The 

 peak of Teyde appeared in a break above the clouds, and 

 the first rays of the sun, which, had not yet risen, illu- 

 mined the summit of the volcano. 



Humboldt and Bonpland hastened to the prow of the 

 vessel to behold the magnificent spectacle, and at the 

 same instant saw four English vessels lying to, and very 

 near the stern. They had passed without being perceived, 

 and the same mist which had concealed the peak from 

 their view, had saved them from the risk of being carried 

 back to Europe. The Pizarro stood in as close as possi- 

 ble to the fort, to be under its protection. It was on this 

 shore, that, in the landing attempted by the English 

 two years before, in July, 1797, the great Nelson had his 

 arm carried off by a cannon ball. 



Santa Cruz stands on a narrow and sandy beach. Its 

 houses, which are of dazzling whiteness, with flat roofs, 

 and windows without glass, are built close against a wall 

 of black perpendicular rock, devoid of vegetation. A 

 fine mole built of freestone, and the public walk planted 

 with poplars, are the only objects which break the same- 

 ness of the landscape. 



The recommendation of the court of Madrid pro 



