252 CRUISE OF THE BARRERA 



no farther. From here on, then, the route to Bahia 

 Honda must be by blue water, as this was the 

 last of the passes that could be safely negotiated 

 by the Barrera. As it was impossible, therefore, to 

 reach the little harbor of La Mulata (our starting 

 point for the Pan de Guajaibon) by the schooner, 

 the only way left for the shore party, who wished 

 to visit the big mountain, was to proceed to La 

 Mulata in one of the smaller boats. We calcu- 

 lated it to be about twelve miles from our position 

 to Mulata Bay and thence about seventeen more 

 to Bahia Honda. As we knew nothing of Mulata, 

 we decided to await the morrow and by making 

 an early start in the auxiliary we would be enabled 

 to investigate, with a full day ahead, all the possi- 

 bilities of food and shelter at Mulata, and the 

 means, if any, of attaining Guajaibon. In case 

 of failure, we could at once proceed on, hugging 

 the shore line and feeling our way across the 

 reef and rejoin the schooner in the safe haven 

 of Bahia Honda before night should overtake 

 us. 



Having decided on this program, the auxiliary 

 was selected with Luis and Pablo as crew. Provi- 

 sions and water for several days were put aboard 



