JANGADAS. 



coasted, under very easy sail, at a short distance 

 from the reef, waiting for a pilot. It was not 

 yet noon, the* sea was smooth, the sun was bright, 

 and every thing looked pleasant. The buildings 

 are all white-washed ; the sun shone upon them, 

 and gave to them a glittering silvery appearance. 



Nothing this day created so much astonish- 

 ment on board our ship, amongst those who had 

 not been before upon this coast, as the Jangadas, 

 sailing about in all directions. These are simply 

 rafts of six logs, of a peculiar species of light 

 timber, lashed or pinned together ; a large latine 

 sail ; a paddle used as a rudder ; a sliding keel 

 let down between the two centre logs j a seat 

 for the steersman, and a long forked pole, upon 

 which is hung the vessel containing water, the 

 provisions, &c. These rude floats have a most 

 singular appearance at sea, no hull being appa- 

 rent even when near them. They are usually 

 managed by two men, and go closer to the wind 

 than any description of vessel. 



A large row-boat at last made its appearance, 

 doubling the end of the reef near the small fort, 

 which was declared to be that which brings oft" 

 the pilots. The patrmn-mor, harbour-master, in 

 his naval uniform, likewise came on board. A 

 large launch followed the pilot, manned chiefly 

 by negroes, almost naked : the colour of these 

 men ; the state in which they were ; their noise 

 and bustle, when certainly there was no occasion 



