THE REM O US 



87 



commands all the Bocas; not a vessel can enter the Gulf of 

 Paria through any of these four mouths without being seen. 

 Monos, Huevos, Chacachacare and Patos are all visible. 

 For about half an hour immediately previous to the "re- 

 mous," the tide which has been ebbing furiously becomes 

 dead slack, and for that short period of time anglers should 

 note, the trolHng wire and casting line have every chance of 

 success. 



Come with me to the rocks on Pointe Baleine, facing west, 

 and watch for the coming "remous"; it is now 9 a. m. and 

 the third day of the new moon in October ; the eastern sun is 

 hid behind us, so we shall have a clear view. A gentle north- 

 west breeze, just a whisper, is with tiny gusts, intermittently 

 covering the surface of the gleaming ocean as with a film 

 which those small white winged sloops (Grenada men-of-war 

 by their rig, going to Port of Spain market with their fruit 

 and vegetables) now emerging from the Monos and Huevos 

 Bocas, are taking every advantage of, for they know full well 

 that if they do not get through their jaws to the more peace- 

 ful expanse of the Gulf of Paria, back they will go in the 

 Boca, driven by an irresistible force, perchance to be battered 

 in pieces on the Parasol rocks or the towering chffs of the 

 first Boca. The tide is now ebbing with a final rush round 

 Pointe Baleine past the Goat-pen, and see that dark line, 

 coming from outside Pointe Romaine, Chacachacare— that 

 is the rising tide coming from the Boca Grande and whirling 

 round the Diamond Rock, with the force of a cataract, to 

 meet the other dark line you can now see romping in from 

 the Boca de Navios round Point Girod. Hark that dull roar 

 gradually swelling as the two currents meet and rush down 

 going eastward. The "remous" has begun, and here comes 

 what is locally called the first thread. A school of " camard 

 cavalH" rise near Baleine and perform one of their character- 

 istic dances with great enthusiasm for a few seconds, just as 

 a four-oared pirogue with a large seine in the stern shoots 

 round the corner, having their work cut out to get round 

 with the cross currents that are now coming into play. 

 Bow and No. 3. are pulling Hke demons, while No. 2 and 

 stroke back water, the cox'n handling the "gouverneur" 



