312 BOISTEROUS WEATHER. 
tivation of colonial produce in these districts, especi- 
ally that of cacao, which is of superior quality. The 
real febrifuge Cznchona also grows at the source of 
the Rio Sinu, as well as in the mountains of Abibé 
and Maria; and the proximity of the port of Car- 
thagena would enhance its value in the tele with 
Europe. | 
On the 27th March the sloop weighed anchor at 
sunrise. The seawas less agitated, although the wind 
blew as before. To the north was seen a succession 
of small conical mountains, rising in the midst of 
savannahs, where the balsam of Tolu, formerly so 
celebrated as a medicament, is still gathered. On 
leaving the gulf of Morosquillo they found the waves 
swelling so high, that the captain was glad to seek for 
shelter, and lay to on the north of the village of 
Rincon ; but discovering that they were upon a co- 
ral rock, they preferred the open water, and finally 
anchored near the isle of Arenas, on the night of the 
28th. Next day the gale blew with great violence ; 
but they again proceeded, hoping to be able to reach 
the Boca Chica. The sea was so rough as to break 
over the deck, and while they were running short 
tacks, a false manceuvre in setting the sails exposed 
them for some minutes to imminent danger. It 
was Palm Sunday; and a Zambo, who had _ fol- 
lowed them to the Orinoco and remained in their 
service until they returned to France, did not fail 
to remind them, that on the same day the preceding 
year they had undergone a similar danger near the 
mission of Uruana. After this they took pence in 
a creek of the isle of Baru. 
As there was to be an eclipse of the moon that 
night, and next day an occultation of « Virginis, 
ai 
