THE ISLAND OF CURACAO. 13 



From a distance the island looked green ; but as we drew nearer, 

 it was seen that the greater part was practically barren. The coral 

 rock showed everywhere, and was covered with a small scrubby 

 growth hardly waist high. In the valleys between the peaks were 

 a few trees. Farther south the shore grew more level, the beaches 

 wider, and at one place there was a large mangrove swamp. 



Shortly after one o'clock we knew that we had been sighted, for 

 we saw the signal flying from a staff on one of the peaks to the 

 northwest of the harbor of Santa Ana, and later the little town of 



VESSEL PASSING BETWEEN FORTS AT NARROW ENTRANCE OF HARBOR OF CURACAO. 



(I'roin Photoi^rapli by Ugueto.) 



Willemstad came into view, the houses looking so charmingly neat 

 and fresh colored that they seemed to be china toys. 



About half past two we were outside of the town ; we drew nearer 

 the shore, steamed slowly along past the entrance to the harbor, 

 picked up the venerable-looking white-haired pilot who came out to 



