BALSA. 



205 



proach the shore, within a quarter of a mile, be- 

 fore they can find anchoring ground; and, as there 

 is nothing to break the prodigious swell which rolls 

 in from the Pacific against the rocky coast, a surf 

 is caused of enormous magnitude, which dashes 

 up and roars along the base of the cliffs in the most 

 terrific manner, trying the nerves of strangers, who, 

 in spite of their conviction that all is safe, and that 

 no storm will occur, cannot at once divest them- 

 selves of the most disagreeable associations, con- 

 nected with a shore so formidable in appearance. 



The operation of landing, at such a place, is both 

 difficult and dangerous, especially at the full and 

 change of the moon, when the swell is always much 

 increased ; a remark which applies to the whole 

 coast. I had been told that ships^ boats seldom 

 succeeded in crossing the surf, and that the balsa, 

 or canoe of the country, was the proper thing to 

 use ; I made the experiment, however, in my own 

 boat, which was accordingly swamped, and I got 

 soundly ducked for my pains. The balsa, which 

 we employed ever afterwards, is made of two entire 

 seal-skins inflated, placed side by side, and con- 

 nected by cross pieces of wood, and strong lashings 



