288 CRUISE OF THE BARRERA 



and more frequent. Ugly-looking clouds filled 

 the sky, and puffy winds suggested a chubasco. 

 Passing Punta Pereira and the mouth of the Mani- 

 mani River, a haunt of crocodiles, we entered 

 waters thickly strewn with dark coral patches. 

 The main reef now approached very near the 

 shore. As we made Punta Gobernadora, the way 

 ahead seemed to be entirely blocked by a continu- 

 ous line of coral which, beginning at the very 

 beach, extended in a wide semicircle to the north 

 and west. Upon this outer barrier the surf broke 

 with considerable violence creating areas of creamy 

 white foam. A strong eastern drift opposing the 

 wind aided us in our course but ruffled the surface 

 into a steep chop resembling a tidal rip. The 

 waves prevented a clear view of the bottom but 

 it seemed uncomfortably close to our keel. Sud- 

 denly the pilot altered the course heading directly 

 for the nearby reef. The situation became tense 

 as all strained their eyes to locate the passage 

 through, and no one spoke. When apparently 

 in the midst of the breakers a deluge of warm 

 spray swept the boat; our engine, short circuited, 

 stopped. Fortunately the halt was brief; the 

 engine responded promptly to our coaxing, and we 



