148 CRUISE OF THE BARRERA 



the cheerless dull sky lent some of its own gloom 

 to the land below as dull skies everywhere are 

 likely to do. We felt no desire to explore the 

 country but rather to push on rapidly as possible 

 to the '* promised land" of Cape San Antonio. 

 Anticipations of great success collecting about 

 San Antonio had gradually taken on a rosy glow. 

 Our fancies of the place were stimulated by re- 

 peated assurances of our crew, that there the par- 

 ticular marine conditions we sought would be 

 found. At that point the majestic Gulf Stream 

 sweeps in close to shore, while rocks and reefs 

 abound and large tide pools harbor the very aris- 

 tocracy of marine life. By degrees we even began 

 to believe that there, beneath an everlasting sun- 

 shine, the waters were always calm and sparkling, 

 with no rain to chill, no wind squalls to baffle, and 

 no choppy waves to vex. 



By 10 o'clock we started upon our long run 

 with every sail set. Our boats — the auxiliary, 

 launch, and tender — trailed behind in single file. 

 At first we made fine progress with a strong fol- 

 lowing wind bellying out the big try-sail, the small 

 craft astern threatening each other in a race down 

 followirg seas to overtake the schooner towing 



