CHAPTER V. 



MARTIN VAS. 



THE ship was hove to off South Trinidad during 

 the following night, and early next morning we 

 steamed slowly towards the rocky islets of Martin 

 Vas. 



Owing to the insufficient manner in which the 

 sea surrounding this group of islands has been 

 charted, it was necessary to proceed very 

 cautiously. Suddenly the water became very 

 shallow, and, although we were then about two 

 miles away from the nearest islet, it was necessary 

 to go full speed astern. While we were backing 

 in this way a large rock, covered by some six 

 feet of water, was seen within a few yards of the 

 ship. This rock is not marked on the chart, and 

 we thus had a very narrow escape from an enforced 

 residence on South Trinidad. 



At length a passage was found for the ship, 

 and we drew in to within about half a mile of the 

 main islet. We then set out in boats and rowed 

 towards the shore. 



Martin Vas consists of four rocks, the two 



